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The great wall of China


The great wall of China
Photo Information
Copyright: Julia Leijola (leiju) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 537 W: 79 N: 499] (1597)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-07-10
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Nikon D2Xs, 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor, 77mm UV0 Filter (Sigma)
Exposure: f/4.2, 1/80 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-07-11 7:39
Viewed: 1364
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
This is the second time I'm trying to upload this picture. The colours get washed away as I upload it to TE even though I have assigned it with the sRGB profile. Can anyone help to figure out what I am doing wrong?
Thank You!

Finally I've reached Shanghai, the one I have heard about, the one locals share fond memories of, the one I was unknowingly looking for.

We took a smaller road, off the main roads busy being rebuilt and refurbished to look modern and clean, deeper into the tightly-knit housing blocks in downtown Shanghai. Suddenly a flame of passion light up inside: this is the "real" city I was looking for. All of it ancient, so different, the sinks outside, brick buildings with open doors, locals busy living their lives, old men staring at us with our cameras wondering what in the world is so interesting about a brick wall littered with home-made graffiti-type advertisements for doctors, movers, and whatever else could possibly be needed.

I could have stayed there for hours without end. Such rich colours, deep age, amazingly different solutions to well-known problems. Heaven.

I lowered myself to take pictures of this wall, the sinks and the clothing hanging from that little line. Two little girls heard my shutter going off and ventured out of their home. They approached step by step, curious to know what I was busy taking pictures of. The older one walked straight into the frame and both of us were thrilled at the little game we'd just embarked upon together. Soon the little one jumped into it as well. They weren't quite sure whether they were included or not, their poses a mixture of curiosity and show. I snapped away with my wide-angle as quickly as I could, fearing they might run away at any moment.

After about five shots, I got up and walked towards the two to show them the picture I'd just taken. They shrieked with enthusiasm and joy as they saw themselves on the LCD display.

They ran back through the door they'd appeared from just a few moments before, screaming "Mama! Mama! There's a foreigner taking pictures outside! She took pictures of us! Mama! Mama! "

I thought my heart was going to burst out of Joy and Love.

The translation of the kids' enthusiasm was generously provided by my local friend and host. We took this path as she wanted to show me where she used to live. Walking around, we bumped into her old neighbours and they told her that soon they too will have to leave: these houses and alleyways will be destroyed to "clean up" Shanghai and build yet another set of skyscrapers.

It seems I have arrived just in time.
Just before Shanghai is fully replaced by this business centre the government is busy making out of it.

I just hope that these little girls, and all those who still bask in childhood, will not give up their spontaneity and joy for yet another pair of Gucci shoes as they grow up and reach their adult years.

---

An advance Thank You to all those amongst You who take the time to leave me a comment and/or criticism.
everlasting, luisafonso, euryan, delkoo, inuit66, Mistral has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
Colorslen 2 07-26 01:09
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Julia. This beautiful picture with the small and friendly girls pleases me very well. Colors and Technic are exemplary according to my opinion. For me it is a very alive snapshot with a humorous text. Best regards, Wolfgang.

No, there is not much of this side of China remainign in the bigger cities, As you rightly say you have to search. But your search was worthwhile, not only do you have a splendid daily life street photo, but I nice memory.
the colours look fine to me but I'll leave the technicalities to thoses who know better.
I'll just comment on the textures and the well chosen POV, not to mention the note.

First of all, the colors look perfectly fine to me. The pink shoes are pink and the blue ones are... blue. :) A full photo from edge to edge. So much to see here. I know the real catcher are the two beautiful girls but the bricked wall, the Chinese characters, the laundry and even the red sac are also deserving my attention. The moment is a nice one and I thank you for sharing it with us. The girls happy smile, specially the one in the left, is contagious and the wide angle feeling has really created a tremendous 3D picture. Like it a lot. A big smile for the three of you.

Bonsoir Julia,
Les couleurs sont tout à fait correctes pour moi. C'est une très jolie scène de la vie quotidienne tant qu'elle peut encore exister. Bonne composition avec ces deux charmants modèles.
Bonne soirée
Jean-Louis

Salut Julia,
en attendant tes aventures en français, je suis bien content de tomber sur celle-ci même si la fin de l'histoire sera beaucoup moins rose pour ce quartier et ses habitants...
J'adore ce jeu qui transperce l'écran, ces deux gamines se jouent de ton objectif pour le dompter et puis l'environnement est top.
On sent que tu commences à te faire plaisir à Shangaï.
Bisous
& à très bientôt ;)
Philippe

  • Great 
  • AmiBe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2066 W: 370 N: 1681] (19512)
  • [2007-07-11 11:48]

Hello Julia,
bizarre ton histoire de couleurs, sans voir le fichier original c'est dur de trouver une explication.
Enfin ici elles me semblent assez correctes quand même.
J'aime bien cette scène avec l'ambiance bas-fond chinois qui contraste avec l'espièglerie de ces enfants.
a+

Bonsoir julia,
celà faisiat longtemps que je n'avais visité ta galerie. Et bien tu es donc à l'autre bout du monde. Scène de la vie quotidienne, peu touristique en fait mais vivante.
Amicalement
JMarc

  • Great 
  • euryan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1109 W: 121 N: 1769] (7774)
  • [2007-07-11 15:46]

Beautiful! What else can I say? I love it. Your perfectly composed photo has so much to love. One thing that I like is the contrast between the girls and their surroundings. They are so cute and clean with their white skirts and bright sandals.. Their surroundings on the other hand are the complete opposite. Thanks for this wonderful photo.
Stay safe,
Ryan

  • Great 
  • delkoo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3893 W: 235 N: 5112] (25080)
  • [2007-07-12 2:00]

bonjour julia,
elle est adorable cette photo , ces deux gamines souriantes et vetues de blanc, contraste bien avec le vieux mur de briques rouges , la scene est spontanée avec beaucoup de fraicheur.
amicalemnt
didier

  • Great 
  • ninaL Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1802 W: 244 N: 1906] (15939)
  • [2007-07-12 2:03]

Bonjour, Julia.
Une scène pleine de vie, où les gamines si spontanées s'inscrivent bien dans leur contexte quotidien. Très bonne composition, pleine d'information et de spontanéité.
Amitiés, Grazyna.

Hi Julia,
This beautiful picture with the small and friendly girls pleases me very well. Colors and Technic are exemplary according to my opinion. For me it is a very alive snapshot with a humorous text.
Best regards,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
tfs
waseem khan

Dear Julia,
I adore your picture of those nice chinese girls! While visting Thailand two years ago, I enjoyed the game of taking pictures/showing results to the children. We had a lot of fun like you :) To get back to the picture, technically and besides the chlidren's joy abd curiosity, it's very well composed and framed. Great expositon and colors.
Great shot, Mike

Hi Julia,
Nice shot of China. Well done.
Cheers from Iceland.
Michel

Hi Julia,
Very nice shot.
Süreyya

Hi Julia. This is a very sweet and joyful shot and your story reminds me exactly of the reaction when taking pictures of children in East Greenland. Two such different places but your photo and your words reminds us that children are alike all over the world. Thank you for sharing this glad moment. Take care, Jens :-)

Hi Julia
I love your notes as you take me "in" your images.
The image is ok for me and I love your composition and even more I love their sights that reflects your friendly attitude towards them.
A smile for your days coming...
Luca

cheeky faces, sweet picture

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