Great Wall of China in winter
Part of the Great Wall of China at Juyongguan is quite close to Beijing, but it is in a very steep valley that gives rise to two revelations. First is a new-found appreciation of the human effort involved in carrying millions of stones up a ludicrously steep slope to build the wall. The second is a realisation that you are not as fit as you thought you were as you attempt "just one more section" of the wall.
Overall 520 x 420
Summer Palace in winter, Beijing
There is a certain irony in seeing the Chinese Emperor’s Summer Palace surrounded by a frozen lake. On this late afternoon it was -15C but still there were many people taking a stroll across the ice, which added interest to the key subject. My vantage point presented the leafless trees and the pavilion as silhouettes so that the overall image looked more like a black and white photo, helping to convey the sense of cold.
Overall 420 x 315
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Painted façade, Stein am Rhein, Switzerland
The practise of decorating town buildings with paintings and frescos is seen in many places throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austria, but few places match Stein-am-Rhein for the extent and detail of its artwork. It gives the impression of an overly tattooed body, with every available patch of wall space being utilised to illustrate some aspect of the town’s activities or history. It is exemplified in this view of a single wall that graces the town square.
Overall 420 x 315
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Ribbon Dance, Imperial Theatre, Xian
Photos of stage performances are made difficult by the relatively low light conditions and rapid movement of the subjects. In this picture I was able to find a compromise with a shutter speed that still kept some slightly blurred movement in the silk ribbons but was able to maintain the principal subject in sharp relief within the single spotlight of white light. The vivid colour of the stage lighting helped to dramatise the scene and transform the otherwise white ribbons into bands of fire.
Overall 520 x 420