great street south Photo

Photographer’s Note

Pingyao (Chinese: 平遥) is an amazingly preserved ancient town, some 700 km from Beijing. It still retains its layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with preserved Ming- and Qing-style residences numbering close to 4,000.

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This picture complements a previous upload of mine, which was called "pingyao roofs".

Both pictures were taken from the southern gate tower looking to the north along Nan Dajie ('the great street south').

I played around with this shot and finally settled for this bl/w version.

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Camera: Nikon D40
Shutter speed: 1:2000 sec
F-stop: f/5
ISO: 200
Focal length: 125 mm
Metering mode: Pattern
No flash / No tripod

BurhanettinMasa, Budapestman, Floydian, serp2000, delnaja, Bruno40 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

smarcell (14265) 2009-05-06 0:20

Nice perspective, with the zoom which flattens it.
I am sure also in colors it was good.
Regards Stefano

kloppenborg (811) 2009-05-06 0:48

Hi Benny, I think the B&W works very well here. It seems a bit noisy (not sure if thats the right word..) - perhaps a bit too sharp??
Either way, the atmosphere more than makes up for that. I also like these old Chinese rooftops a lot :-)
- Henrik.

Budapestman (41576) 2009-05-06 1:01

Hi Benny,
Splendid architectural photo with graphic details. The diagonal composition of the photo is spectacular, good choice the B&W. Tfs! Have a nice day!
George

holmertz (9528) 2009-05-06 3:09

Hello Benny,
Apart from the bicycles this seems like a picture that could have been taken very long ago. Of course your choice of b&w enhances the old time feeling. A very nice diagonal perspective.
Regards,
Gert

Floydian (30970) 2009-05-06 4:02

Hallo Benny,

Als ik dit zie moet ik denken aan de film "Raise the red Lantern". De smalle straten, die ozo typisch Chinese dakstijl....wat is er gebeurd met de kleurversie, niet goed genoeg kwa licht? Kan me voorstellen dat vooral de daken een hoog aantrekkingsgehalte hebben als deze rood/bruin zijn, maar dan zal het licht wel goed moeten vallen.
In ieder geval geeft dit zw gebeuren er een nog zwaar dramtiche wending aan wat ik ook wel mag zijn, mede door die mooie diagonaal lijn van de straat die dwars door de compoisite snijd....zeer fraai.

Groet,

Henk

pally3100 (3073) 2009-05-06 5:46

Hi Benny
very interesting shoot on the roofs of this city using tele grouping effect.well see well done on a good idea. friendly Henri

cebe (160) 2009-05-06 17:33

Hello Benny,

Nice graphical effect and very descriptive photo. I find that the black and white brings a sort of post-war B&W movie atmosphere! Almost looks like a decor or a maquette. Interesting to learn about the place too. Have a nice day. Claude.

serp2000 (9355) 2009-05-06 19:36

Ni hao, Benny,
Excellent work, just aa ancient view.Like a historical documentary photo! TFS!
Serghei

nirvana73 (8624) 2009-05-07 8:24

Hello Benny
i like rhytym of the roof
i like b/w colors and texture
thanks for sharing and explanations
best regards
Ozhan

delnaja (7708) 2009-05-12 10:56

Your photo reminds me some scenes in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" directed by Ang Lee and maybe one of the best scene of the movie (with the on in the bamboos).
The point of view is good, with the diagonals giving a nice perspectve and the choice of the b&w makes the photo timeless ...

Ninello52 (3266) 2009-05-19 14:51

Ciao Benny!
Il fatto che la definizione non sia impeccabile no toglie, semmai aggiunge, fascino alla foto!
Bello il punto di vista dall'alto che consente una buona lettura del luogo,ottimo anche il taglio.
Saluti, Nino.

ghilain (1714) 2009-06-04 23:08

Bonjour Benny,

Voici une photo NB dont le POV est bien pensé.
Tu as su mettre la simplicité en évidence.

Bonne journée

brigitte

Bruno40 (6440) 2009-06-05 5:30

Hi benny,
Great view, excellent choice of POV and B&W. I would love to visit this place, it seems very photogenic.
well done
Jorge

avene (10940) 2009-09-03 12:30

hello Benny,
I like this photo a lot, I think the B&W is the right choise, I find it gives the image a timeless quality, it could very well be several centuries old. the strong diagonal composition works very well, it's easy for the eye to follow the street through the photo. very nice work, my compliments.

best,
Kristine