A period of transition in Beijing
It has been interesting and surreal to hear people and the media outside of China talk about the pandemic in the past tense while here it is something that has very much at the forefront of people’s minds. These last few weeks have seen a transition and an easing of many of the regulations and people can finally start to look forward to a more normal experience in the city. This is something I am very much looking forward to seeing and photographing.
This set of images is from the last 6 weeks and really bears no relevance to what I just wrote other than I like the photos and they were taken at and around this time. I hope you enjoy them too.
A loving look, 50mm, F2.8, 1/500th of a second, ISO 64
I was at one of my favourite locations in Beijing which is a busy junction next to the Drum tower and the light was beautiful. However, I only had a few percentage points of my last battery left so I knew I only had a few shots left. when I spotted this couple walking across the road and giving each other this look, and I only managed to get one shot, but I was so happy with the result. That definitive look with the beautiful drum tower in the background and that wonderful afternoon light.
Locked door, 35mm, F5, 1/200th of a second, ISO 280
I could not tell you in which Hutong I took this photo as there are just so many narrow streets and alleyways and I often get lost in them and this was one of those times. However I loved the light in this narrow alleyway hitting this door in contrast to the dark alleyway from where I took thos photo. I really like the contrast of colour and light here along with all the detail on this old decaying door.
Family ride, 50mm, F2.8,1/500th of a second,ISO 64
Seeing a family share a scotter is a regular sight in Beijing but it is also something you get used to so quickly that you forget that it is far from normal in other parts of the world.
I find it so hard to capture that part of life here and I have many failed attempts. However I really like this one. The three of them are clearly in their own world alone with their thoughts. Also I like how they have their helmet dangling from the side of the bike blanket rather than anyone wearing it. I am sure that it has barely been worn.
Conversation at the White.Pagoda, 35mm, F4.5, 1/400th of a second, ISO 64
This Hutong around the White Pagoda is apparently famous for the training and trading of fighting crickets. I have still not found these here but everytime I come I see people sitting and having a conversation so I decided to try and capture this scene instead.
Hutong Chess, 48mm, F5.6, 1/50th of a second, ISO 64
I loved all of the things goining on in this scene. The two people playing Chinese Chess, the dog sleeping on the tricycle, ducks in their cages and the very early Chinese New Year decorations everywhere.
Last of the Autumn leaves, 120mm, F4, 1/200th of a second, ISO 320
This was taken on a street near the Forbidden City and I was amazed that there will still Autumn leaves here as the ones.in my neighbourhood had long gone. So I was initally drawn to.the long canopy of yellow and green leaves and I also liked the two men sharing a laugh as they cycled by.
Cyclist, 50mm, F2.8, 1/800th of a second, ISO 64
This was taken shortly after the first photo I put on this post and might very well have been the last photo I took before my battery died. What I was trying to capture here was the beautiful light and the colour contrast of the Bell tower. and the rental bike which is everywhere in this city.
Cyclists, 24mm, F11, 1/10th of a second, ISO 32
This was taken in Qianmen Street in central Beijing. A place usually bustling with activity but it was strangely quiet and I tried to capture this with a low shutter speed to emphasise the motion of the few cyclists while keeping the Zhengyangmen tower sharp.
City in the grips of a Sandstorm, 175mm, F5.6, 1/10th of a second, ISO 64
This photo was taken over a month ago and I only came across it recently. The city was in the grips of a sandstorm and most places in the city were closed so it was not the easiest of days, but I decided to document the day with a photo anyway. It is only now when I see the photo that I actually like the mood and softness of the image.
