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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Sixteen: Story-telling street photography > Card game, Guilin, China, 2006
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06-APR-2006

Card game, Guilin, China, 2006

This scene looks like a set from a film or stage play. I made this image from a good distance away, and the players never noticed me. Their body language and expressions are natural, and all the things that surround them are typical of a Chinese neighborhood scene. I liked the verticality of the scene – there are clothes and bikes both up and down here.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
1/125s f/5.0 at 39.1mm iso100 full exif

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Phil Douglis21-Jan-2007 18:58
I am delighted that you enjoyed this image, Rammaa, as much as I enjoyed making it. You do a good job of describing its subtle effect on the imagination. It is, as you note, not entirely familiar. There are things going on here that may appear to be culturally incongrous to people who do not live in China. You may call it "individualistic." I would call it "culturally appropriate."
Phil Douglis19-Aug-2006 23:45
I was fascinated by this scene as well, Chris. It gives us a bit of everything that goes into neighborhood life in a Chinese city. I wanted you to stand with me there in that street, and take it all in. And through this image, I have done just that. I always try to crop in my viewfinder, always watching the edges of my frame to make sure that everything that should be in is in, and everything that should left out is out. If I have to crop it again, I have a second chance in Photoshop. But most of my framing is straight from the camera. Thanks for this comment, Chris.
Chris Sofopoulos19-Aug-2006 19:49
So many things to see in this photo! And nice crop Phil!
Phil Douglis16-Aug-2006 00:37
In travel photography, it is very important to express the essence or sense of a place. For me, the essence of Guilin, as it is in so many Chinese cities, is the interactive outdoor communal life. They often live in small spaces, requiring them to make the best of whatever space they have, even when outdoors. The guy using rock for a chair is indeed a metaphor for Chinese adaptability. There are a billion and a half people like this in China, building a economy based on adaptability. You put it so well here, Rodney -- "if it works, use it!"
Guest 15-Aug-2006 23:12
The scene is perfect to me. Everything in the frame adds value to the overall photograph, for me. China is wonderful, as people are very "outdoors" where people interact, or are simply outdoors going about life. This photo really captures the spirit of China's practical side. From how they utilize the little space they have, to making something out of nothing (such as making a seat out of a rock). It's like the Chinese saying: "If it works, use it" :)
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