The combined deep sea and river ports of Shanghai became the world's busiest port for cargo tonnage in 2005. These ships ply the Huangpu River, which leads to the Yangtze River. I use only three ships in this image to suggest the continual traffic flow on the river. My long 420mm telephoto flattens the distance between them – they appear about to collide. There are three different kinds of ships and four layers of information in this image – the small ship in the foreground contrasts to the freighter bearing down on it in the second layer, while a ferry boat brings up the rear in the third layer. The fourth and final layer offers a backdrop of Shanghai office buildings in the morning mist.