2011, Day 024 - Electrician needed

I take you back in time to 2009 and my trip to China. This photo was taken on our last day in Zhuhai from the car window as we ran a few last minute errands before Aunt Nancy took us to the ferry terminal. Yup, we rode gangster class to China from Hong Kong but slummed it on the way back. I don't know if there was a reason why but I remember the ferry being quite cramped and thinking that the exclusive gangster lounge might be nice since we had it all to ourselves on the way over. Oh well...

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

42mm, f2.8, 1/320 sec @ 800 ISO

2011, Day 017 - Fishmonger

Back to China! On the eve of Chinese New Year we went to one of the markets where Laura and I explored whilst Aunt Nancy went in search of something, I can't remember but I believe that we didn't even know at the time. Anywho, amongst the peddlers was a fishmonger cleaning a fish for a waiting customer. How can you know if your food is fresh is you don't witness it being slaughtered?

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

52mm, f2.8, 1/125 sec @ 200 ISO

2011, Day 015 - Family

As proof of my earlier statement, this was the scene that greeted us outside the Yen family shine in my grandfather's village. Yes, that is smoking and gambling but one the positive side the gentleman on the left in the black leather jacket was the one that took us to the house where Grandpa grew up and showed us the important sights in the village. This is the stock the Yens come from and I rather like it...

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 135/f2L

135mm, f4, 1/100 sec @ 400 ISO

2011, Day 012 - Cones of scent

I love the effect of all the incense spirals in this communal shrine in my grandfather's village. There are three shrines that belong to the founding members of the community including one for my family. Not surprisingly our family shrine was in the greatest state of disrepair with men outside playing cards and dice, it seems rather fitting given my grandfather's personality.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 17-40/f4L

21mm, f4, 1/25 sec @ 3200 ISO

2011, Day 011 - Wedged

Continuing with China and the village where my grandfather was born, this is the tail end of a trash collection vehicle that required us to huddle in the doorway of the houses lining the alley to make room for its passage.

Thank goodness for the usability of Canon's 5D Mark II at high ISO. This is one of those shots taken immediately after coming back out into the light from a dimly lit building where I forgot to lower the ISO. It's slightly grainy at 100% but still completely acceptable.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 135/f2L

135mm, f2, 1/8000 sec @ 1600 ISO

2011, Day 006 - Flight

Another photo from my trip to China. This photograph was taken at the village were my grandfather grew up in one of the narrow alleys between homes and shows one of my guides and occasional shadows fleeing back to the safety of her home after the novelty of my visit wore off.

In re-processing this file I tweaked the colors, adjusted the histogram, applied a little vignetting and sharpened the results.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 135/f2L

135mm, f4, 1/200 sec @ 100 ISO

2011, Day 005 - Aftermath

I was going through some of my photos from China taken about two years ago and decided this one could use a little more attention. I wanted to increase the contrast and desaturate the colors to make it look moodier and a little bit dirtier. There are a number of little elements that I like in this photo; the rope reflected in the puddle, the scattering of bones like this is some ferocious beast in its layer and the wet feet and dirty coat of the dog.

Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24-70/f2.8L

70mm, f4, 1/2500 sec @ 400 ISO