Hubei Province. Wuhan. 2008

This week’s Photo of the Week comes from the city of Wuhan, in Hubei province. I was in the city as part of a trip I was taking traveling down the great Yangtze River, upon which the city of Wuhan sits.

At the time this photo was taken, I was visiting the Yellow Crane tower, a beautiful structure which sits on one of the highest points in the area overlooking the city. As I was walking around the base of the tower, I stumbled upon the above situation. Of course, it was the man in traditional Peking Opera dress that first caught my attention however as I stood an observed it was the woman on the left who also caught my attention as she was actually teaching moves to the costumed man. Just off camera to the left was a large gathering of people next to a stage, waiting for the performance to begin. This was a little bit of last minute practice happening. The scene became even more interesting when I noticed the man peering over the balcony watching and the girl in the background.

For me, it’s a slightly odd picture. The woman’s gesture is interesting. The costumed man is intriguing. The composition is very pleasing, made complete by the woman in the blue coat. Overall, a very satisfying and enjoyable alternative image of a slice of Chinese life and culture.

Camera Info: Canon 20D | 16-35mm f2.8 lens | ISO 400 | f20 | 1/250th

A Giant Salamander in Wuhan Zoo. 2008

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way that it treats its animals” – Mohandas Gandhi

In March of 2008, I was travelling down China’s greatest river, the Yangtze. Passing through the city of Wuhan, I happened upon the city’s zoo one day and was shocked by the conditions in which the animals were being kept. As a result, I returned to the city a few weeks later in order to photograph the various animals in an attempt to convey the appalling conditions in which they were living.

China has a mixed record in the way in which it treats its animals. From the use of animal parts for Chinese medicine to the new conservation efforts to protect tigers (as a result of  this year being the year of the tiger), it seems confusing whether animals are valued or not. Maybe attitudes are changing. A quick trip to the  zoo in Wuhan will certainly dispel you optimism for change however. Continue Reading »