Strange Things in Chinese Restaurants Photo

Photographer’s Note

I just sat down to eat my dinner in an old Chinese restaurant in Beijing, when I couldn't help but notice that one of my fellow diners was having her dinner filmed with a broadcast quality video camera! Naturally I took a photo. Said diner, being an attractive 20-something Chinese woman did what every Chinese woman seems to do when having their photo taken... a 'Victory' sign!

I did talk to her afterwards; it was quite a good restaurant and she was filiming a doco.

This is the same restaurant as my earlier photo The Restaurant Musicians

Tech: not much; scan from B&W negative, increase contrast, crop, resize and sharpen.

ChrisJ, Edwin, summer89, chagovets, Kenny10pin, CVTJan, bertolucci, zorro, KhrisRino has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

summer89 (5414) 2004-03-29 7:00

Great photo Josh.

You get a excelent moment. I like the way you get Black & White. Very good note, too.

Well done.

Edwin (2037) 2004-03-29 7:03

Very very nice picture Josh! I like everything in it, the composition and the square frame, choice of B/W, and the choice of subject. I really love how the left lady is countering in this composition with the camera man. Nice balance, the V-shape is even mirrored, namely the lines from the left lady's arm, going back upwards again from the table to the camera man. And about that Victory sign, didn't know that, thanks for sharing!

maciekda (19587) 2004-03-29 7:54

nice scene Josh, the way you managed the scene is very good - all people are well "included". i really like her V sign - so chinese. and i like your grainy B&W, good stuff

Midnight_sun (1939) 2004-03-29 8:02

I like this, the lighting/mood of the shot is bright -in a good way. The v sign is a good touch, and i really like the background too; the door frame is so typical of chinese restaurants in England too. Great shot.

lemon_logix (1054) 2004-03-29 8:55

Good DOF and notes. Like the bw effect.

gringofil (0) 2004-03-29 9:11

Interesting shot. China is an interesting place all by itself...especially with some of the strage things that can happen, even in restaurants. Compo is nice, getting the girl out of the middle, getting the guy with the camera in there as well and topping it off with the girl putting the food into a nice order. Sure, more sharpness would be nice, but this is the kind of shot you gotta just "grab" or it will be gone in the blink of an eye. Agree with the "V" signs...they're everywhere (in China that is).

wanderer (21) 2004-03-29 9:14

Great and un-usual shot, Well captured

hantulaut (3394) 2004-03-29 9:45

good shot, and good Panasonic Digital ajd 610 (if im not wrong).

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-03-29 11:04

It lacks some sharpness but I like the picture, great TE, well done

CVTJan (1244) 2004-03-29 13:00

Dear Josh, I like how she stands out. The 2 others are being busy and she is even giving you the "V". Good exposed and good use of DOF. B&W is a good decision here. Well done, Jan

bertolucci (11976) 2004-03-29 13:03

Nice scene Josh - everyone is doing his own thing in this shot. Very well chosen DOF and good composition. I like it, well seen & well done, Josh.

Steely (895) 2004-03-30 10:00

nice pic Josh,
100% in focus is what we all hope for but not available all the time, you take a 90% good pic or you go home with zero.
Zero is a bad choice :p

Good composition!

ChrisJ (69522) 2004-03-31 5:17

This is only let down by a lack of sharpness, especially on the focal point, which is the food. A fill in flash may have helped. Interesting subject matter, though.

jhonny_blue (4938) 2004-04-01 4:35

Good picture at ricght moment !
The B&W is great for thsi moment, great composition !
Congratulations !

KhrisRino (113) 2005-01-25 9:22 [Comment]