ASIA TRIP 2024 – CHINA – JULY 21
On this day I attempted to spend more time out and about with the goal of documenting my surroundings.
I liked blue mirrored windows enough to do a self-portrait. This is when I just started out so I haven’t started sweating yet. By the time I returned home my shirt was almost completely soaked with sweat.
It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway; what is ordinary to some is not so to others.
This woman driving the scooter who’s covered head to toe on a hot and humid summer day was very common in this area of China and is in no way unusual. However from my perspective it’s not something that I see back home so I feel compelled to photograph it. I also choose to make the photograph because this is something that I believe will change in China over time and in the future scenes like this may not be seen at all.
A lot of the photographs I make I do so with the intention of them being a documentation of the times and location. They are meant to be viewed 20, 30, 50+ years from now, when things will likely be significantly different. I think back to all the photo books that I admire, and what draws me in are the pictures from the not so recent past. Maybe someday in the future my photographs will be significant to someone, somewhere.
Technically speaking it’s a terrible photo, however, I don’t care. For me it was 100% about that little sliver of time that I shared with those strangers. They both smiled at me and I smiled and waved to them. My heart felt wonderful. Moments like these give me some hope for humanity.
I heard someone giving a speech over a PA system. As I walked closer I saw what I can only assume was a morning company meeting for all the delivery drivers. I jogged down the street to find the nearest crosswalk so I could take a closer look.
As I approached with the camera to my eye, I noticed some of the younger drivers smiling and laughing as they saw me photographing them. I think some of them noticed me when I was on the other side of the street. There are rarely white foreigners in this area of China, so I tend to stand out.
I really should have taken the time to learn Mandarin so I could have known what was being said. So many of the people were staring at their phones and I wondered if what they were looking at had anything at all to do with whatever the man on the bench was saying. Somehow, I doubt it.
Brand new 2024 Porsche Macan in a beautiful blue color. Seeing what I would guess is the majority of the population using small electric scooters as transportation, I can only assume the very wealthy can afford luxury vehicles like this.
I found this tree to be very beautiful… so I made this photograph.
On a neighborhood street without much traffic you’ll see pedestrians and people on scooters stopping by to purchase produce.
A construction worker in the process of renovating this doorway and interior.
Just like you, I really want to know why there are towels on the tires of these two vehicles. These were the only vehicles I saw that had towels on them. I saw them later and the towels had blown off.
Instead of a hood ornament, someone decided to a trunk ornament.
So many businesses have closed since the last time I visited in 2018. Sad to see.
On the other side was a farm.
Just to the left and out of the frame was a take away restaurant. The cat gets what appears to be what’s left of a chicken leg.
I love these stone carvings. I want to see how they’re made someday.
This poor guy was scratching almost nonstop.
He did stop long enough to bark at me and show his disapproval of my presence.
He continued to bark at me as I walked away until the overwhelming itching sensation became too much for him. Poor guy…
New and old. Urban and nature.
Cafe employees on their break.
Fully covered despite the heat and humidity.
She was a bit curious at first.
The curiosity soon faded away. It was too hot.
I’d be curious to know why the chose those two, unrelated cartoon characters.
I think this is the first Christian church that I’ve seen in China. It appeared to still be under construction in some areas. I don’t believe this was here the last time I visited.
It’s difficult to tell but there were some steps that lead to what appeared to be a balcony and then some steps that lead to nowhere.
I’m not sure a tornado would be considered casual winds.
