(I notice this is a loooong post with lots of pics....BEAR with me!)

I am slowly catching up with the editing of pics from my trip to the south of our province a few weeks ago.

Down there they have wonderful historic villages, I was particularly impressed by and interested in the colours and textures of buildings that have wheathered the ages.

amazing.


shexian 1


shexian 2


shexian 3


zhaji1

Some of their writings are also very aesthetic, I love the way everything looks so old.

this sign was advertising some kind of tea, as far as I undrestand. I don't know if you can appreciate this,
but the writing is extremely beautiful


writing 1

this one impressed me more for its textures than what was written on it. I felt like I was travelling in time
seeing all these worn out things


writing 2

and finally, as always in China, there are many hot water bottles, you have seen them in my pictures before.
Chinese carry them with them at any time and wherever they go to brew their green tea.


Waterbottles


I was usually up early in the mornings and went out.
I am not at all a specialist when it comes to landscapes, but in the charming beauty of the misty mornings,
a good shot is hard to miss.


Zhaji 2


Zhaji 3


Zhaji 4


The insides of some of the old "manors" are well preserved and very beautiful


inside 1


inside 2


inside 3: a shop selling all sorts of paraphenalia and (fake) antiques


But of course most people don't live like this. Even though some of them still use the ancient, very large estates, they often share them betweenn several families and they are very run down.

others live in smaller houses, their front doors almost always lead into the kitchen and are usually open during the day.


Kitchen

I walked by an elementary school and had a look, on Sunday some staff were using the schoolyard to dry their laundry


school laundry

The class rooms were empty that day.


classroom

Hope you enjoy,

Greetings!

Uli

The inside #1, #2 and #3 are great... Wonderful light!!

I like very much your composition in school laundry, and the kitchen picture is terrific! I like it a lot!

Are these pictures also taken with the 50mm and the 350?

Thanks for sharing your pictures, all are really great. I look forward to see them printed in a book...

no, for these I used the 5D and 24-70L,
actually, I find it harder to get a really good shot with that lense, but IF they turn out nice, they turn out REALLY nice.

you are so right, I need to make more books, I just cannot keep up with my production!

Uli

Hi Uli,

The first four are stunning - the light is really beautiful. I also like the water bottle shot and the one after it. The interiors of the manor are also nicely lit - the first one especially striking me with all the parallel lines.

Shexian 1, Shexian 3, and inside 1, are the ones I like best, but they all show great detail and information.



I am not criticising your english Uli, but....bare with me! should read "bear with me" . 'bare = naked
or without covering. (i.e bare wood....unpainted) (bare with me= lets go skinny dipping)

I only got as far as "nee how" :/

Thanks for your comments, and thanks too for your tip, NT.

You know, sometimes I am just typing by phonetics, and mixing up several languages.
The way you type Chinese characters on the computer is by using the phonetic "pin yin", so
e. g. you type in "ni hao" and the characters will appear on the document.
Now even though I am GERMAN, mind you, I have been catching myself several times
intuitively typing "ni how" instead. you know what I mean?

Greetings!!

Uli

Yes I understand. When we go to Fuerteventura in November for the Kite festival, we get German, Spanish, Italian, English and Portuguese speaking kiters. Mind you not being to hear properly, it doesn't make a lot of difference.

Sweeet work Uli. #1 and #11 for my tastes - but you really should consider a book.

Lovely series Uli... these pics are absolutely amazing - almost sureal. I love the earthy, rustic, familiar tones of the street views. Great work...

Nice pics... very interesting subject matter The hot water bottles make me smile

I've only just got round to seeing these.
Your comment on the 24-70L is the same as Rufus'(he got one a few weeks ago): I gather the lenses have a very large focussing area at 24mm, wich can give the impression that they front- or rear-focus. I find these L lenses have some character to them!
I really like your choice of subjects: you seem to have developed a real affinity and liking for China. The alleyways and the ones with Chinese characters/calligraphy have a warmth about them..and I love the ones from the "stately home"...refined yet rusticallly noble in some way.
The quality of light, particularly in "inside 1", is very delicate..and seems inexplicably "Chinese"...do you think that China has special qualities of light in your experience?
Do you think you'll return there after your contract expires?

oh, zig, part of me does not even want to leave now!!! it is just that the money is not worth anything (I make 400 Euro a month), so no saving possible.
I need to find a proper paying job and do want to return.

I used only ambient light and was shooting at high iso for the indoor shots, the 5D is good at that.
the light around here is actyally ver harsh and difficult, but in those villages and narrow lanes you are shielded a bit.
What impresses me more than the light are the textures. I have taken many pics of walls with writings and paintings and they are very special.

uli