Maurice Ping Leung  


Playing Mahjong by Maurice Ping Leung

July 2026 - Playing Mahjong

About the Image(s)


This traditional game is well known to almost all Chinese across every
corner of the earth. Recently the game is highly promoted as exercise
for everyone over 60. At the start of the game, there is the initial
shuffling of the tiles with an exercise resembling breast-stroke
swimming. After receiving 13 tiles, each player takes turn to receive
an additional new tile from the "floor" to see if the new one matches
what the individual player is holding--sequential tiles of three or 3
tiles of similar pattern. . This part of the game requires memory
work and is said to be extremely useful for exercising the brain to
prevent dementia. A square table is required for the game with 4
players sitting on each side. This picture was taken with the full
approval of the 4 players.

Equipment: Sony alpha 1 24-70mm at 50mm f/4 (max f/4) 1/160 sec ISO 1600
Post-processing: Capture One-- Cropping and Minimal increase in light
intensity for the 4 players


3 comments posted




John Larson   John Larson
My two sisters regularly play mahjong. I do not know anything about the game. The players seem to be deep in thought. There does not seem to be much action happening here so I am having a hard time seeing the story. I would use the shadows/ highlight tool to bring out more detail in the darker areas of the image.   Posted: 07/18/2026 12:53:18
Maurice Ping Leung   Maurice Ping Leung
Unfortunately, you do not play. The name of the game is concentration, as shown on the facial expressions of each player. That helps prevention of dementia, which is scientifically proven. Note the age of the players.
The 2 players without tops indicate the leisurely environment they are in, at 11am in the market. I would agree showing up more of the background might help--unfortunately there was too much light distraction.
The story--playing mahjong is a healthy exercise   Posted: 07/18/2026 17:48:45



Subhash Sapru   Subhash Sapru
Thanks Maurice for explaining the details of the game and situation in which you made this image. But as I see and as we discuss the photo, yes a little action like movement of body by lifting a hand or tilting of face by even one of them could add some more interest in this otherwise dull image. But for that you would have to wait for some time.   Posted: 07/18/2026 22:16:45



 

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