Sacred Sunset Photo

Photographer’s Note

Sunset from the west peak of China's sublime Mt Hua Shan.

One of China's five sacred mountains, the climb to the top is brutal. But spend the night on the summit and the views will leave you even more breathless.

You'll see red prayer ribbons and padlocks attached to chains all the way along the climb. They're believed to bring good fortune. I left one small padlock with my initials engraved on it at the very top too. Whether or not it brings me luck, it's nice just knowing that it's up there.

Hua Shan is about 120 kilometres east of Xi'an.

hispic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

thebecky (686) 2009-08-09 0:30

Wow this is amazinf, the vibrance of the red prayer flags with the emerging light - it makes me want to clmb up there.

Herquin (4508) 2009-08-09 0:39

Bonjour Greg,

l'image y aurait gagné en cadrant plus vers le bas et à la verticale tout en te déplacant vers la gauche .

Une bien belle ambiance mystique .

Bon dimanche .
Christian .

CLODO (4759) 2009-08-09 1:13

Hi Greg
the red ribbons are really eyecatching, and then we discover the differnt plans od moutains, well delimited by the rising mist.
Good work mate
CLODO

yaya13baut (2373) 2009-08-09 2:01

hi Greg,
a great mood from this misty landscape. Fantastic light on the misty moutains on the right and good compo with these red fabrics held to that tree.
Yannis

DrWu (1141) 2009-08-09 4:54

Wow! A fantastic scenery and a great photograph of it! OK - I understand Huashan is one of the "wu yue" or the Five Sacred Mountains but the light you had was truly divine. Did you use gradual ND filter or polarizer?
Those red ribbons really add some spice to scenery - like red chili paprikas on a dish;)
Amazing photo ... makes me want to go back to Zhongguo although I just returned from there.
Regards, Pekka.

hardyuno (2753) 2009-08-09 6:06

Hi Greg,
this is a wonderful composition. The red flags gives the picture somethind special. Fine work
TFS
Hartmut

hispic (7399) 2009-08-09 20:17

G'day mate
Superb image! red is really impressive, and mist around the mountains brings a mysterious atmosphere.
I'm surprised it doesn't have more comments despite such a wonderful photo.
Regards, Hisashi

photoray (1451) 2009-08-11 20:21

Hi Greg,
Magical sunset, radiating over the misty mountain tops, offset by the red prayer ribbons, attached to the gnarly old guy.

thanks for sharing,
Ray

BennyV (5002) 2010-01-06 11:28