Photographs from China

In early January, I posted that I was headed to China with my wife to complete the adoption of our little boy.  Glad to say that we are now back home and settling into our new life together.  The following photographs were taken in Xi'an and Guangzhou, China, the two cities we had to travel to in order to meet our son and to finalize the adoption.  Hope you enjoy!

Xi'an, China

Most of the photographs of Xi'an were taken in the famous Muslim Quarter.  It's a muslim neighborhood in the heart of the city with narrow streets, a number of small mosques, and lots of street vendors selling pretty much everything.  It felt like quintessential China - loud, vibrant, and you might get run over by a scooter going way to fast down a tiny street at any given time. From what I read, this neighborhood has its roots as the final stop along the Silk Road starting a millennia ago.  As such, many Persians traveled and settled in this area, forming the neighborhood that remains today.  It's strong middle eastern and Muslim influences mixed with Chinese culture make it a fascinating place to walk around for a few hours.

It's also a street photographers dream.  Crammed spaces full of interesting people doing interesting things.  All of these photographs were made with my Fuji X-T1 and the Fuji 10-24mm lens.  This lens isn't the fastest, however I needed to use such a wide angle because the spaces were so tight.  The other lens I brought was the 50mm equivalent and every time I tried using it, I had to get back further than I would have liked.  I also set the camera to it's high speed shooting mode.  Often I would walk slowly by people with the camera at my waist and fire a bunch of shots.  The first photograph in the set is an example of this type of shooting.  Other folks I went up to and asked if I could make their portrait.  

Cow Liver?  Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China.  Anybody have any guesses as to what this is?  

Street vendor/cook, Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China

Welder #1, Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China

This was one of the more unique scenes I encountered in the Muslim Quarter.  Walking along the busy streets you mostly get used to seeing street vendors cooking or selling some type of food.  This gentleman was just out on the street welding.  His glasses make the photograph for me.

Welder #2, Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China

Butcher #1, Xi'an, China

Walking around these streets is not for the queasy.  Lots of smells and lots of animal carcasses getting butchered in the open.

Muslim Quarter, Xi'an China

Butcher #2, Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China

Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China

Lunch Break, Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China

Fire Station, Xi'an, China

Construction Site, Xi'an, China

Bell Tower, Xi'an, China

Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China

Xi'an, China

City Wall, Xi'an, China

Workers, City Wall, Xi'an, China

Red Coats, Xi'an China.  

I really enjoyed the fashion I saw women wearing around the streets.  I was especially brought in by these bright red coats I saw a number of people wearing.

Bell Tower, Xi'an China

The Great Mosque, Xi'an, China

The Great Mosque, Xi'an, China

One morning we woke to a light dusting of snow so I headed to the Great Mosque to photograph it with snow covering the buildings.  Unfortunately there wasn't much left by the time I got there, but there were a couple quiet moments before the crowds started to arrive.

Teracotta Warriors, Xi'an China

Street cooking, Muslim Quarter, Xi'an China

Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, China 

Guangzhou, China

For my wife and I, Guangzhou was like a breath of fresh air, literally.  We went from cold, smoggy conditions in Xi'an to warm blue sky days in Guangzhou.  Photographically though, Guangzhou wasn't quite as interesting to me.  Mainly because Guangzhou is a much more westernized city.  We had lots of time to waste so we spent a good amount of time walking around the ubiquitous number of shopping malls with our son in a stroller.  My last trip to China was in 2007 (pre-Beijing Olympics) and in Guangzhou it was most evident how much more part of the the world China has become.  And how much foreign investment has entered the country.  When before, you could only purchase knock-off products of any of the designer brands, now there are shopping malls full of people going to buy the real Louis Vuitton's, Dior's, Chanel's, etc.   And there's a Starbucks on most corners.   

Basketball Club, Guangzhou, China

Basketball is a huge deal in China.  I knew this before, but when we were walking (and got lost) we happened upon this basketball club.  It had maybe 20 courts and each one had a game going on, with people waiting to join in.  The club was also sponsored by Nike with large posters of Kobe Bryant everywhere.  Upon seeing a somewhat tall American walk up, all these guys invited me to come play.  If it had been any other trip I would have, but this time I was happy to take a couple photos and continue walking with my wife and son. 

Basketball Club, Guangzhou, China

The Pearl River, Guangzhou, China

View from our hotel room, Guangzhou, China

This is one of my favorite images from the trip.  It pretty much sums up China to me - hazy, lots of buildings, and bright lights.  It also reminds me of The Killers, Hot Fuss album cover.

Elderly couple, Guangzhou, China

This gentleman was escorting his wife to the restroom and I happened to be headed to the same place (the men's room though) and quickly stuck my camera down to waist level to capture this sweet moment.

The newest member of the Rathbone family!  City Wall, Xi'an, China