On Wed, 26 Jun 2002 02:24, Eric Goodell <eric@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Don't take the big 400mm/500mm lenses, too much to lug. Tips, hmm, Chinese
>people tend to think of pictures as something taken of oneself in front of
>places they travel to.
I'd take a wide angle (24 to 35 range) and a short tele (75 to 135 range).
It is true that most Asians tend to take pictures of themselves and their
friends to remember their trips. That's what memories are made of.
> People might resent being photo'd, but
>it will be clear and so you should either be stealthy or be very confident
>but not American-touristy.
Depending on the situation, if I was to take a portrait of a stranger, I
usually ask first. Sometimes they'd say OK and other times they'd say
"No". It is OK to be "American touristy" because if you look like a
foreigner, most Chinese will understand that your are a tourist, and
they are more open to foreign tourists taking their pictures. Just smile
a lot.
> Tiananmen square
>(people often fly kites there, also go at sunup and down to see flag
>raising/descending with soldiers and many chinese tourists),
I took some very nice pictures of kite flyers and children just playing
on the ground at Tiananmen square. Be careful of taking pictures of
either the soldiers there or the police at the square. They do not like
their pictures taken, and if you aim your camera to (groups of) soldiers,
they will tell you "No pictures". My brother almost got his video camera
taken away several years ago when he aimed his camera at a place that was
"forbidden" around the square (this is years after the "June 4th incident").
As for the flag raising/lowering, you'll have to fight with a LOT of
Chinese, both local as well as national tourists. The problem is that
they have a square blocked off for the flag pole, but if you are at the
edge of the square, you are too close to take in both the soldiers and
the flag. But if you are farther away, there are too many people in
front of you to see anything. But if you do go, pick your background
(and the sun) carefully in advance, once the crowd gathers, it is
impossible to change positions -- the usual spot is on the south side
looking north towards the palace.
There is also the memorial to the people's revolution, which is sometimes
open to the public. Sometimes they have the children red-guard standing
in formation around the monument. Pictures of children are always good
subjects.
> Also the summer palace with marble boat,
Years ago, they used to allow tourists to board the marble boat, but when
I was there last year, it is blocked off and you can only take pictures
from the bank. I guess the huge number of tourists has taken its toll on
the old boat.
Have fun. Enjoy your trip. And don't forget to tell us about it after
you return, and share pictures.
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