The Streets of Kashgar

We had the great pleasure of travelling to the city of Kashgar, in the south of the Xinjiang province. It is one of the westernmost cities in China, near the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. For over 2,000 years, it has been a vital oasis on the Silk Road between China, the Middle East, and Europe and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

The city is truly magical, with beautiful, vibrant streets full of culture and history. It captivated us with its unique blend of architectural styles and bustling bazaars. The city's mud-brick houses and intricately carved wooden furnishings reflect centuries of craftsmanship and the influence of the Silk Road trade. There are rich aromas of spices and local delicacies, while the colourful markets pulse with energy as merchants display their wares. We could see signs of Kashgar’s enduring spirit and diverse heritage everywhere we turned.

Here are a selection of photos from our trip to Kashgar.

Bedstop Street scene, Nikon ZF, 28mm, F5.6, 1/250th of a second, ISO 100

I couldn't resist this scene when I saw it. Living in Beijing, I often see people bringing furniture outside to chat or play Xiangqi, but this is the first time I've seen beds on the street. I love the bright colours in this photo and how they stand out against the brown mud walls. It also shows everyday life in the city and makes me wonder what that lady is waiting for.

Walking Home from School, Nikon ZF, 63mm, F8, 1/400th of a second, ISO 320

Again I was drawn to the contrast in the colours in this scene. The warm golden browns from the walls and the vibrant blue and red from the children walking home from school. I was also drawn to the deep contrast created by the harsh light and deep shadows. 

Street conversation, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F2, 1/500th of a second, ISO 320

I saw people sitting around and having conversations on the street all over Kashgar, but I think this was my best attempt at capturing one. Again I am drawn to the colours in the scene and the interaction between the people having the conversation.

Waiting, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F5.6, 1/250th of a second, ISO 1600

I was drawn to several things in this scene. The ancient house and doorway which has changed its number many times, the stark contrast in the colours in the house and the clothes of the woman. Again it made me think about all of the people who must have called this home and what might that lady be waiting for.  

Eleanor Street Portrait, Nikon ZF, 85mm, F1.8, 1/2000th of a second, ISO 100

Eleanor loved wearing traditional clothes but wasn't keen on taking photos, so we had to wait patiently for this shot. The outfit matched the city's architecture well, and the colors of her dress looked great against the blue door.

Early Morning light in the streets of Kashgar, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F8, 1/125th of a second, ISO 160

I took this in the early morning and was drawn to the way the morning light was illuminating the top of the streets walls. I also love the winding nature of the streets, all of the details that each individual family has added to the front of their houses and of course all of the complimentary  colours

Street scene, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F8, 1/250th of a second, ISO 400

I was irresistibly drawn to the tranquil quietness of this scene, captivated by the intricate textures and diverse characters that existed within the composition. Once again, I found immense joy in the beautiful colour palettes that this enchanting city has to offer. This time, there were a few gentle touches of complementary colours that beautifully contrasted with the strong, warm hues present in the walls.

Early Morning light in the streets of Kashgar, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F8, 1/250th of a second, ISO 360

This is an early morning photo showing the sunlight beginning to light up the street below. I was drawn to the way the street curves to the left, making you wonder what’s around the corner. I also appreciated the architecture and warm colours of the buildings, which contrast nicely with the blue sky.

Back streets of Kashgar, Nikon ZF, 28mm, F7.1, 1/125th of a second, ISO 160

I aimed to capture the backstreets of Kashgar. The maze of narrow streets had me going in circles. I loved the worn-out walls, unique doorways, and window frames, as well as the accents of cool colours dotted here and there. It was also just fascinating to watch people's daily lives in the city.

Street Arch in Kashgar, Nikon ZF, 28mm, F4.5, 1/250th of a second, ISO 125

This archway is beautiful with its symmetry, geometric patterns, and vibrant colours. The old carpet adds charm, and the child with her grandfather brings a touch of everyday life to the photo.

Tea room dancer, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F2.8, 1/1000th of a second, ISO 100

Kashgar offers a variety of great teas, including traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern options. The tea house had a local band playing music and a dancer. I asked to take her photo, and she agreed, so here is one of my photos.

Tea room dancer, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F2.8, 1/1000th of a second, ISO 100

This is another photo from the tea dancer, and I wanted to specifically capture her delicate veil in this one. I truly appreciated the intricate details of the veil, which beautifully enhances her overall costume and adds another layer to the photo.

Kashgar Street scene, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F6.3, 1/500th of a second, ISO 100

Kashgar is vibrant with beautiful colours. The colours of the buildings in this scene are perfectly complemented by the women's clothing. The intricate details, from window carvings to handwritten graffiti, add so much interest to the scene for me. The harsh light creates strong contrasts and shadows, which I captured at an angle to emphasize the diagonals in the frame.

Waiting for an answer, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F6.3, 1/500th of a second, ISO 100

This scene unfolded naturally and swiftly. Eleanor knocked on the door alone, and I lowered my camera to catch the moment. The complementary colours were a happy accident. I also appreciate the detail and character in both the door and Eleanor's dress.

Kashgar Street Scene, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F6.3, 1/500th of a second, ISO 100

I could not resist taking this photo when I came across the scene. The way that the wide courtyard area leads to a winding street and the deep shadows and harsh lights create so much contrast in the scene, and of course, the woman in the scene adds a dash of colour contrast and intrigue. 

Eleanor street scene, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F2.8, 1/2000th of a second, ISO 100

What can I say, for me, this is the perfect photo, but that is with my daddy bias included. We took so many photos of Eleanor on that afternoon in Kashgar, but we only got a few that we were happy with. This one we were able to get her to stop in exactly the spot we wanted for a few seconds and managed to get the shot. The colours and the light worked perfectly to frame Eleanor.

Vibrant streets of Kashgar, Nikon ZF, 50mm, F8, 1/250th of a second, ISO 100

I visited the same location as the photo above later in the afternoon when the sun was higher and the light was harsher, which I enjoy for street photography. I adjusted my framing to highlight the street's shape and include more diagonal lines. I also aimed to capture the interesting shapes of the shadows as well.