Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze is a French graphic artist with a Masters in multimedia and art from East Paris University. His interest in photography began during his period of working in Los Angeles and Tokyo, and subsequently blossomed into a passion after his arrival in Hong Kong. Stunned by its architectural “race to the sky”, he felt the need to use his camera to share his feelings about the city. The geometry of the urban environment and the vivid lives it shelters are the aspects of Hong Kong that inspire him most.

Jacquet-Lagrèze landed in Hong Kong in 2009. While living in the Yau Tsim Mong area, he became fascinated by the heterogenous character of the city’s urban spaces, with modern buildings side-by-side among traditional tong lau. Driven by an ever-stronger curiosity, he began an intensive exploration of the city, trying to capture its diverse atmospheres. Eventually, he realised that the sole common aspect of all these places was the awe one feels when gazing up at the sky between the huge buildings.

Romain’s fascination has culminated in a 160 page hardcover book entitled, Vertical Horizon, a photographic journey between the buildings of a relentlessly growing city. It is a visual record of its wildly diverse built environment and a contemplative dive into the raw nature of Hong Kong and an expression of its vertical elan.

[via My Modern Met]