Shanghai Old Town #1 Photo

Photographer’s Note

Shanghai's Old town district...daily life in the not so modern backalleys...

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gringofil (0) 2003-09-27 11:35

When I lived in Shanghai I spent a lot of days in the old town photographing this and that. You managed to capture a wonderful scene here. I'm sure that the old lady was very surprised to see you with a camera there...most of the time I was told my the locals to go and take pictures in Pudong and not bother with their area. But the old Shanghai has a lot of charm.

As for the image, I think a crop off the top would benefit the composition. The white sky is distracting and so are the tops of the buildings. Better to keep it nice and simple, IMHO. All in all this is a great shot and shows Shanghai as it really is. Well done.

Luko (13880) 2003-09-27 17:18

Very nice street shot, not knowing anything about Shanghai, I'd love to walk its old district, seems from the buildings textures there are good opportunities to shoot, specially in BW.

Regarding your image, the red basin, appropriately centered, does it all, contrasting with the greyish overall tone. Looking more carefully, the sidewalk curve also recalls the circular basin, I think this is why the basin seems so naturally mixing into the pic despite the color contrast.

While I think I can see what Fil had in mind when suggesting a sky crop, I find leaving it adds some breathing to the confined narrow alleys. Also, the bright grey sky doesn't harm the general tones in my view, as it would have in a more colourful pic.

olli (2091) 2003-09-29 3:55

I agree with Luko on the red basin – it really makes this shot work. Great tones. One of my favorites...

light (865) 2003-09-30 6:14

Beautiful colors, and very good contrasrt and definition.
good atmosphere, you got a nice street shot, in daily activity.
I like very much the details of the first white house, so perfect definition there.

roconnell (327) 2004-02-28 5:29

Incredible photo. Not only have you captured the context so well, but also the subject. This woman, seems to have paused, just long enough to stop and wonder what you were up to. There is a great sense of connection to this photo. You may consider a crop from the top, as the curb line to above the whitewash line will provide cntext enough. Well done.