鏡頭後的睿智與童心：記與馬格蘭攝影大師 Raghu Rai 的一段緣
鏡頭後的睿智與童心：記與馬格蘭攝影大師 Raghu Rai 的一段緣
「一張照片捕捉了生活中的一個事實，而那個事實將永恆存在。」—— Raghu Rai
Raghu Rai 是我極為欣賞的攝影師。他的作品擁有過人的洞察力，尤其在處理紛繁複雜的場面時那份梳理秩序的能力，每每令我由衷讚嘆。
銅鑼灣的街頭漫步
十年前，我有幸與他見面交流。比起攝影師的身分，他更像一位睿智且幽默的智者，言談間總是不經意地流露出深刻的人生哲理。猶記得當年與他漫步於銅鑼灣街頭拍攝，令我驚訝的是，他所關注的事物往往異於常人；若不靜心思考，或許很難第一時間領會他視角下的深意。
跨越國界的攝影緣分
說起緣分，當時他正籌備其攝影雜誌《Creative Image》以「Faith」（信仰）為題的新刊。他一直非常欣賞中國著名宗教攝影師楊延康的作品，極力希望能與其取得聯繫並進行專訪，卻始終苦無門路。湊巧的是，當時我剛為楊延康老師在香港辦完攝影工作坊，便順水推舟，促成了這兩位攝影大師的合作。此後，他曾邀請我前往印度相聚，可惜因種種緣故，至今未能成行，引為憾事。
永存的笑容
2017 年，他的女兒 Avani Rai 為他執導了紀錄片《Raghu Rai, an Unframed Portrait》。這部作品我一直掛念在心，雖目前尚未找到觀看渠道，但仍期盼能在不久的將來一睹為快。此刻，腦海中又浮現起他面對鏡頭時，那如孩童般俏皮的笑容。那份神采將永遠留存在我的心底。
「一張照片捕捉了生活中的一個事實，而那個事實將永恆存在。」—— Raghu Rai
Raghu Rai 是我極為欣賞的攝影師。他的作品擁有過人的洞察力，尤其在處理紛繁複雜的場面時，那份梳理秩序、建立美感的能力，每每令我由衷讚嘆。
銅鑼灣的街頭漫步
十年前（2016 年），我有幸與Raghu見面交流。那天清晨，我前往他下榻的酒店，甫見面，在友善的寒暄後，他便慷慨贈送了他的攝影書與雜誌給我。我連聲致謝後，便隨他一同出行。在銅鑼灣街頭漫步間，令我驚訝的是他所關注的事物跟常人不一樣，若不靜心思考很難第一時間領會他視角下的深意。走到 SOGO 對面的馬路時，他隨性地坐在消防栓上觀察四周，沉澱了一會才再重新拿起相機拍照，我也把握機會拍了幾張他的相片。大師看世界的方式，往往不在於景色的華麗，而在於那份異於常人的洞察力。
跨越國界的攝影緣分
午後，我們選了一間印度餐館。席間我為他拍照，他特意把手放在頭上抓癢，扮出一副疑惑的神情。說到中國知名宗教攝影師楊延康非常喜歡在杯觥交錯間高歌，我便在手機播放楊老師唱歌的影片給他看。他隨即將手機貼在耳邊露出一副專注又陶醉的神情。當時他正籌備其攝影雜誌《Creative Image》以「Faith」（信仰）為題的新刊。他一直非常欣賞楊延康的作品，極力希望能與其取得聯繫並進行專訪，卻始終苦無門路。湊巧的是，當時我剛為楊老師在香港辦完攝影工作坊，便順水推舟，促成了這兩位攝影大師的合作。
影像的意義
餐後，我們回到Meteor HK看攝影書交流。在店內期間，我曾向他介紹並讓他試用 Leica Q 拍攝。他非常喜歡這台相機的表現，並以兩幀珍貴的作品交換。這兩幀作品皆為德蘭修女的肖像，後來分別由兩位虔誠的天主教信徒收藏。其中一位收藏家告訴我，他每天都會向著這幅肖像禱告。
這讓我想起 Raghu Rai 曾說過：拍攝一張照片，就像「切割」了眼前一片景物下來。 當這個平面影像被放置在與之相關的情境中，觀者與周遭的立體空間、記憶、聲音和溫度連結，賦予那個景像新的生命, 事物如齒輪般又轉動起來。這幅肖像所觸發的信仰力量，想必正是他所說的情境共鳴。
跨越語言的代筆
Raghu 很喜楊延康拍攝藏傳佛教的攝影集《心象》。當時他正計劃完成關於達賴喇嘛的拍攝計劃，因此打算將這本書贈予達賴喇嘛並在扉頁寫上贈言。由於他不諳中文，便委託我將他的心意譯成中文代筆寫下。我雖樂於幫忙，但想到這本書將呈予達賴喇嘛，下筆時仍不免有些戰戰兢兢，深怕負了大師的託付。
永存的笑容
還記得他很愛惜女兒，來香港也找我幫忙替他買iPhone 給他的女兒。2017 年，他的女兒 Avani Rai 為他執導了紀錄片《Raghu Rai, an Unframed Portrait》。這部作品我一直未找到觀看渠道，期盼能在不久的將來能夠看到。比起攝影師的身分，他更像一位睿智且幽默的智者，言談間總是不經意地流露出深刻的人生哲理。他曾邀請我前往印度相聚，可惜因種種緣故至今未能成行，引為憾事。此刻，腦海中又浮現起他面對鏡頭時，那如孩童般俏皮的笑容。那份神采與智慧，將永遠留存在我的心底。
Raghu Rai: A Tapestry of Moments and Mastery
“A photograph has picked up a fact of life, and that fact will live forever.” — Raghu Rai
Raghu Rai is a photographer whose vision I have long revered. His images are not merely records of the world but acts of discernment—moments in which chaos is distilled into order, and complexity is transfigured into beauty. To encounter his work is to be reminded that true mastery lies not in spectacle, but in insight.
A Morning Stroll in Causeway Bay
I first met him in Hong Kong a decade ago. That morning, at his hotel, he greeted me warmly and, with characteristic generosity, placed his books and magazines in my hands. Soon after, we set out together into the streets of Causeway Bay. What struck me was not what he photographed, but what he noticed. His gaze lingered on details most would pass by, requiring reflection to grasp their meaning. Across from SOGO, he perched casually on a fire hydrant, absorbing the rhythm of the street before lifting his camera once more. I photographed him then, aware that I was witnessing a master whose art resided in perception rather than grandeur.
A Cross-Border Connection
Later, over lunch in an Indian restaurant, he played with the camera, feigning puzzlement as I photographed him. When I mentioned Yang Yankang, the Chinese photographer known for his religious work, I showed Raghu a video of Yang singing. He pressed the phone to his ear, absorbed and delighted. At the time, Raghu was preparing a new issue of Creative Image on the theme of “Faith.” He admired Yang’s work deeply and longed to interview him, though he had no way to reach him. By chance, I had just organized a workshop for Yang in Hong Kong, and so I was able to connect the two. It was a small act, but one that bridged cultures and brought two masters together.
The Resonance of Images
After lunch, we returned to Meteor HK to browse books. I introduced him to the Leica Q, which he tried with enthusiasm. He was so impressed that he exchanged two prints with me—portraits of Mother Teresa. These were later acquired by devout Catholic collectors, one of whom told me he prayed before the portrait every day.
This reminded me Raghu once said that taking a photograph is like "cutting" a slice of the scene before you.. When that frozen moment is placed within a relevant context, the viewer's 2D image automatically connects with the surrounding 3D space, memories, sounds, and temperatures. It is as if the still frame is returned to life, its gears beginning to turn once more. The spiritual power triggered by that portrait was undoubtedly the "contextual resonance" he spoke of.
A Pen Across Languages
Raghu was very fond of Yang Yankang’s photobook on Tibetan Buddhism, Spiritual Enlightenment. At the time, Raghu was planning to complete a project on the Dalai Lama and intended to gift the book to him with a personal inscription. Since he does not know Chinese, he asked me to translate and scribe his message on the title page. Though I was happy to help, the thought of my handwriting being presented to the Dalai Lama made my hands tremble; I was terrified of failing the master’s trust.
A Smile That Endures
I also remember his tenderness toward his daughter. In Hong Kong, he asked me to help purchase an iPhone for her. In 2017, his daughter Avani Rai directed the documentary Raghu Rai, an Unframed Portrait. I have yet to find a way to watch it, but I hope to soon.
More than a photographer, Raghu struck me as a sage—witty, wise, and full of quiet philosophy. He once invited me to visit him in India, but circumstances prevented me from going, a regret that lingers. Yet when I think of him, I see his playful, childlike smile before the camera, a smile that carried both wisdom and joy. That image remains with me, indelible, a portrait not of a man holding a camera, but of a spirit that continues to inspire.
