Under the crimson glow of neon lights, the Shanghai mall seemed to come alive, as if the buildings themselves were whispering stories. The air was permeated with the scent of sizzling street food-grilled skewers, sweet rolls and the pungent smell of kimchi rising from an upstairs Korean BBQ restaurant.
A young traveller lingered on the corner, camera in hand, mesmerised by the dance of reflections on the glass. The signboards, some with decades of history, others brand new, competed for attention in flaming shades of red and gold. Between them shone a small shop selling handmade watches-silent and almost shy compared to the blaring lights of restaurants and karaoke halls.
In the crowd below, locals rushed with bags full of purchases, meandering between delivery scooters and tourists craning their necks to avoid missing a detail. For a moment, travellers felt detached from time-caught between the old Shanghai that never slept and the modern heartbeat of a city that always craved for more.
And right in that red haze of neon, the traveller realised: Shanghai was not just a city of light, but a living story, unfolding-one glowing signboard at a time.
My name is Marcel Bakker owner and CEO of BAKKM. When I was 8 years old, my father gave me my first (Nikon) Camera. I was immediately sold, my father loved photography and the development process in particular. In our small flat, the bathroom was his darkroom.. Read more…