12-JAN-2004
Zhangjiagang is a wealthy town near Shanghai. I was preparing to photograph this old woman carrying a big bag, who was walking very slowly towards me. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a young woman riding a motorbike was upon me, flying past this old woman as if she were standing still. I barely released the shutter in time to capture her scarf wrapped face as it came rushing towards me. And then she was gone, leaving this old woman in her wake. The old woman bears the burden of time. She is the China of the poor, as is that old house at the end of this road. The young woman represents modern China, as do the new homes at left. Behind her rides a man on a bicycle, who to me represents the majority of Chinese people, caught somewhere in between.
13-FEB-2005
I saw two worlds represented here -- the busy world of today and the world of yesterday. The contrast between these two worlds, as well as the differences in color intensity, made me take this picture. The two big Chinese words surrounded by those red lanterns tell us that this is a busy market held each year. Many people come to buy things and watch shows here. The three old men quietly sitting in the corner are left out of this busy world. Perhaps they just prefer to stay aloof from worldly affairs and simply find peace for themselves?
07-NOV-2004
I didn't have time to think before taking this shot. I saw this energetic woman coming out of the temple, the Buddha, the colors, and instinctively reacted. Later I noticed details such as the tiny red scarf at her neck that picked up the reds in the temple -- reds that symbolize the beating pulse of life itself. This is a picture about what belief can do for people. No matter how hard things are, or how difficult life may be -- just like the high doorsill -- she can handle them because she has something to believe in.
07-NOV-2004
In China, rural food can be a treat for people who live in large cities like I do. Last weekend we had lunch with a rural family in a small village outside of Suzhou. The hospitable hostess cooked many dishes for us. She was so proud and happy to be our hostess, and wanted to give us the best she has. When I look at this picture, it brings back the delicious smell of that food for me.
10-MAR-2004
The field of bikes in the foreground imply the huge population of China. The people in the middleground add context, and the old buildings bearings Chinese character add a taste of old Shanghai.