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Entries in China (28)

Friday

Mar222013

Through The Mist, Huangshan, China

Canon 5D Mark II camera and Canon 24-105mm f4 L series lens

Photographing Yellow Mountain

Regular visitors to this site will be aware of my fondness for Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) in Eastern China. I visited during the slow winter season in January 2011 and reveled in the low tourist numbers on the mountain trails at that time of year.

The above photo was made during a very brief clearing in the mist that surrounded me throughout my 3 days trekking the mountain trails. I love the way the mist is swirling around the rocky outcrop which, only moments earlier, was an impenetrable wall of white mist.

Huangshan, I can't wait until I return. And, while it would be great to visit again during spring or autumn, I may well choose to return again during winter. It's hard to beat a location where pathways are largely free of the literally millions of tourists who visit at other times of years. Have no doubt, this is a place of great beauty.

The Day's Hike Begins

Canon 5D Mark II camera and Canon 24-105mm f4 L series lens @ 24mm. Exposure Details: 1/20 second @ f5.6 ISO 100

Huangshan, the mountain not the town, is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. The scenery is simply sublime and its reputation as one of China's most spectacular landscapes is well earned.

Huangshan, which translates as Yellow Mountain, is really a series of mountains linked together by a trail from one mountain top to the next. While it's possible for the extremely fit to hike the entire length of the trail in a single day, as a photographer, I very much appreciated the 3 days I'd set aside for the journey.

Into the Landscape

The above photo was made very early in the morning. I was up early for a sunrise, prior to heading back to the hotel for a shower and some breakfast. It was then a matter of packing up and hiking to the next hotel, stoping regularly to make photos or catch my breath. I have the capability to walk, on a gentle trail, for many hours without too much trouble. But I hate hills and the mountain trails, often steps cut into stone stairways, across Yellow Mountain are quite steep. I remember one morning stripping down to a T-shirt during the hike, despite the fact that it was around -10C. But I was carrying my camera kit, including a tripod, laptop, winter clothing and personal effects.

The fact that it was only a few hours hike to the next hotel, where a hot lunch and a nice shower awaited, kept me going. That and the spectacular scenery. After lunch I'd head out again for more exploration and photography. As the days are relatively short at this time of year I'd stay out for sunset returning, just in time, for a nice hot dinner. Dinner and a sunset! Really, it doesn't get much better than that for a landscape photographer.

So, while not a spectacular scene, the ice covered trees, mist and enveloping stillness indicated that the hike onto the next hotel was going to be fun indeed. And it was.

When to Visit

I visited Huangshan during late January 2011 and enjoyed 3 fabulous days on the mountain. One potential problem for the enthusiast photographer, seeking serenity and landscapes bereft of people, is the literally millions of tourists who visit Yellow Mountain each year. To avoid the crowds I decided to schedule my trip in the middle of winter.

While some of the mountain trails are closed during that time of year and the deep set mist, which closed around me like a veiled curtain, no doubt hid many spectacular views I believe the timing of the trip was appropriate. I doubt that I saw more than 100 people over the 3 days, most of whom I spotted in hotel restaurants. So, for me, the loss of potentially striking scenery was a reasonable compromise given the deep sense of tranquility, punctuated with moments of exhilaration, I experienced along the way. Huangshan is very much a place to experience serendipity.

You simply have to be there, get out into the landscape and be prepared for a little hardship. Bliss, like all good things, comes to those who are open to possibilities and are prepared to take risks.

While the mountain is susceptible to mist throughout the year it would be great to experience Huangshan in spring and autumn. And I'd love to return, for an extended visit, during winter. Perhaps we'll visit together.

Staying True To Your Ancestry

Buildings reflected in pond, Hongcun village, China

What's Your World View?

Despite a range of hardships and disadvantages we live in a most beautiful world. Beauty resides not just in the creature comforts offered us by modern technology, but also through an understanding of our own identity and a more harmonious relationship with nature and the world around us.

It seems to me that, to evolve to a state of psychological maturity, we must first known ourselves. To do this we need to better understand our place in this world and own life's purpose. An important part of this process is to understand our cultural origins.

Historical photos and movies, family stories and good old mythology enable us to trace our past and gain a better understanding of who we are, as individuals, today. From there we can approach the road ahead with confidence and clarity.

Culture is far More than just Food

Our culture is based, largely, upon our origins and history and, while I feel our national identify is less important than our position as world citizens, I also see a need to celebrate our background. And, for many, the best way to do that is to spend time in the country of their ancestors. Now, assuming the finances to do so and the likelihood of relatively safe travels, I'd recommend this opportunity to all.

What's a Melting Pot without a Little Spice

Needless to say in countries that are great melting pots, like Australia, it's also good for other Aussie's, indigenous and otherwise, to visit countries outside of their own cultural origins. After all, to establish a truly homogenous society we need to understand and, where appropriate, embrace cultural practices outside our own.

Take for example folk from Chinese origins, an increasingly significant part of the cultural mix in present day Australia. With 4 trips to date to China my own perceptions of what it is to be Chinese are far more developed than it would have been without the experiences and long-term friends made during my travels to this amazing country.

Hongcun Village, China

The above photo was made, at dusk, during my second last night on my most recent trip to China. The scene depicted is from Hongcun, a classic village in Eastern China.

The weather was overcast which illuminated the scene with a lovely, soft light. The overcast conditions also provided a wonderful mix of warm and cool light which added a lovely color contrast to the scene. Color, light, shape and texture work together with near windless conditions to produce a photo that suggests balance and tranquility.

I'd like to dedicate this photo to my dear friend, Zhang Shu Lan, whom I met during my first visit to China way back in 1988.