Jishan, A portrait of a small, run down town in China.

[{{909}}]

Thought I'd add a gallery on here of one of my favourite places in China so far.

I have visited a little town in China called Jishan on 2 occasions now, once in September last year and again last week.

You cant help but notice the poverty and general dirt of the area when you first arrive there, and back on my first visit this was sort of my focus. Looking back I am not sure this was a justified angle to work on, but I like a lot of the shots I came back with.


Modernisation by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Jishan Wall Painting by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Smoke break by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


BBQ by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


DSC09887 by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Scooter girl by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr

On my second visit, I was freshly armed with a lot of wise words I had read from the Thomas Leuthard books that were posted on here, along with a general rise in my own self confidence to get into peoples faces with my camera. The response to this was incredible and almost every person I jumped in front of was very happy to pose for me, be that by me just marching into the shop they were working or in one case, being invited into a old chaps courtyard to admire his traditional screen wall and wooden doors. I have never felt such a welcome, anyway, here some of the shots from the second visit :


Jishan Street Portrait by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Jishan Street Portrait by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Jishan Candid Street Portrait by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Jishan Street Portrait by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


The China Squat by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Maybe he's born with it... by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Jishan Street Portrait. by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr


Slightly Scared Schoolboy by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr

To finish the set for now, I will include this shot :


Chinese Opera pre show by Clive Rowland Photography, on Flickr

This was taken from a performance in the area, when I was told there was a traditional show the night I was staying, I was partly excited, but also partly expecting some half hearted, mimed or badly acted performance, especially in a run down little town like Jishan, but to my surprise there was a perfectly performed into to a Chinese opera show, all sung live and to the highest standards imaginable, better infact than similar shows I had seen in Beijing and Shanghai.

Anyway, thats all for now, I will add a few more as I process them.

[dpSparhawk]

A wonderful series of shots Clive, love every single one of these and I'm envious of your fortune in being able to take them.

[Zoots]

Ditto that.
Not much was going to get me to move today after two pints of the black stuff with too much lunch, but seeing these on my phone I had to go and get the iPad. All really great captures of two of my favourite subjects - Street and Asia. Looking at some others now on Flickr

[raelmadrid]

the have less money yet seem happier than us lot

great pics

[{{909}}]

A wonderful series of shots Clive, love every single one of these and I'm envious of your fortune in being able to take them.

Have to admit, there is a great deal of fortune to catching photography like this, regardless of how good a photographer you are, or how much you throw on lenses and cameras.

the have less money yet seem happier than us lot

I have found this to be pretty universal, the less money they have, the more of a community there is. The streets of China often feel how the UK looked in those old movies and photos of Yorkshire and so on when everyone sat on the fronts of their terraced houses and talked bollocks all day.

[CzarJunkie]

I always look forward to seeing your photos. Nice series mate. Keep them coming.

[cronus71]

I think it was mentioned here before, but you take great pictures of people.

[stevo25]

old movies and photos of Yorkshire and so on when everyone sat on the fronts of their terraced houses and talked bollocks all day.

they still do, great photo's btw!