Archive for the Photography Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Initial planning for possible return to China in Sept 2011

Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Music, Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on July 27, 2011 by William Hooks

Today I had a conversation with my main contact in Jinan, China (Ma Xiudong), Dept Director of Shandong Economic and Information Technology Commission, regarding the possibility of extending my documentary to include the Confucius Festival there in September. In addition, we are continuing plans to bring Hu Meng to the USA as a guest artist to exhibit his paintings and conduct a tour.

My schedule will hopefully allow completion of the first edit of my doc’ by around mid- August, at which time I ‘d relay it to them as well. Isn’t the internet a wonderful thing?

Here’s to international cooperation and cultural exchange- I’m excited to be a part of it, and with luck I may even be able to expand my exploration of Chinese art to include its music in the future.

2 Comments »

Constructed camera slider from hardware store parts for ~ $50

Posted in Photography, Video on July 24, 2011 by William Hooks

I used a small, c. 1/2″ thick piece of wood as a platform for a 3/8″ bolt and washer to anchor the Acratech ball head and drilled 4 corner holes for attachment of plastic -wheeled cabinet fixtures. These were spaced to match the rails on an aluminum level, which has end holes suitable to placement on tripods to elevate the slider if needed.

The total cost except for the ball head was about $50. My initial tests indicate that it will function beautifully and quietly to allow about 3 feet of camera movement, whether for sliding or trucking (lateral or front-back).

 

If interested, please contact me for more details.

2 Comments »

Awaiting return flight to USA from Pudong airport, Shanghai

Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on July 16, 2011 by William Hooks

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I’m out of the humidity…. business office at the airport convenient for posting here.

I included images from last evening’s river cruise in central Shanghai, as well as shots from other stops recently.The low light capability of the D3s was tested from that boat, I was pleased with it.  I did some flash shooting onboard as well.

 

1 Comment »

Rain stopped, arrived in Hangzhou this evening

Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photography, Photojournalism, Travel on July 14, 2011 by William Hooks

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Saw the sun for first time entire trip, and had kettle corn… excellent laser/live theater show this evening about the history of this area.

If you want chicken in China you can always visit the Colonel…..finally, I managed to set my electric shaver on fire in my room, due to plugging into the wrong socket.

Leave a comment »

Rain…. arrival in Wuxi this evening

Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on July 13, 2011 by William Hooks

Visited a large ancient barrier wall erected for preventing invasion of the city nearby-called the Dongshuiguan Ruins; then the venerated Yangtze River Bridge, with its magnificent Soviet-style statues on either side of the roadway, in a rainstorm.

There was a visit to a site where antique methods are still used to produce hand- painted intricate art with fine brushes, on crystal. Then we headed for a large lake where pearls are harvested, surrounded by bucolic gardens  enroute to the city.

At the base of the bridge was an enormous statue of Chairman Mao, with rooms to chronicle the rise of the Revolution and a sort of archive of publications of the period.

We’re cooling our heels in Wuxi and Iam catching up on international political developments on CNN… planning additional interviews for tomorrow if time permits.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Leave a comment »

Arrival in Nanjing, China/ Sun Yat-Sen Mausaleum

Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Travel on July 12, 2011 by William Hooks

My GPS at least briefly functioned today in the Nanjing region; rainy most of the day. Extremely impressive burial site for S. Yat-Sen, east of the city. More images below… 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

1 Comment »

Raining hard tonight in Suzhou, China

Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on July 11, 2011 by William Hooks

Busy day, finally got internet access- had difficulty yesterday in Shanghai.

I’m trying to fit into Chinese society as I would anywhere else I travel, and hope that these images from the current post will help explain my efforts. More to follow tomorrow from Nanjing with luck, including images from landscapes to urban..

Hope all are enjoying this week as much as I am- stay thirsty and if you like, write me at my e-mail address, benjaminlafayettesisko@gmail.com as not only doesn’t Facebook work here, neither does my Nikon GPS (so far).

Otherwise I have to say that the D5100 and D3s have worked very well- I wish I hadn’t accidentally dropped the lens hood from my 85mm f/1.4 into a river this afternoon……

1 Comment »

Interview with Chinese artist Chen Qiye- last day in Jinan

Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on July 9, 2011 by William Hooks

This piece was shot at his residence/studio in downtown Jinan,  and as with Hu Meng I was presented with original artwork produced by the artist to bring back to California.  Mr. Meng and I plan to collaborate in the future, to attempt to bring his art to the USA and perhaps other countries.

A day of  HUMIDITY,watermelon, beer, cigarette smoke, tea, and great enjoyment. Wonderful dinner this evening with hosts from the University of Jinan and others. The people I met here will be missed….

Tomorrow morning , I will board a 200 mph bullet train for Shanghai.

Leave a comment »

Interview with Chinese Painter Hu Meng today, start of a series

Posted in Captain's Personal Log, Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on July 8, 2011 by William Hooks
I had 2 meals today, both were broccoli with Chinese beers and bread. I enjoyed the food, and watching other people eat exotic things I wouldn’t dream of having.
 
It was hot most of the day here in Jinan, about 6 million people reside here. Traveled up a tram to a Buddist temple and mountaintop after a hike,  and then went to a large lake where we encountered a large temple and 2 adjacent buildings; I asked about the north building and was told it was holding an art exhibition. Upon entering, I was granted an extended interview with the artist- a Chinese painter named Hu Meng. He and his assistants helped my translator and assistant with the sound/booming the microphone and setting up, incl lighting and other details. My translator is Mr. Mah.
 
When I completed the interview and showed them some of it, I was asked to return tomorrow to begin a series of lectures by the artist re painting and to be interviewed as his foreign guest for the media. He asked that should he have a USA exhibit on the west coast that I cover it and be one of his liasons for galleries there. My translator and assistant will return to help with the project. He also gave me a personal gift of a smaller version of his latest painting and a signed (in Chinese) book of his art to keep. I was very grateful for these opportunities-
 
I have been introduced to the multitude that is China. The scale of this medium-sized city by their standards easily rivals Los Angeles- and there are at least a dozen similar cities in this country……

1 Comment »

Hi to Paula V-Meeks from Jinan, China

Posted in Photography, Photojournalism, Travel, Video on July 8, 2011 by William Hooks

I’ve started shooting B-roll background files for my documentary after breakfast, and will be out in the city all day also reviewing historical sites and doing interviews.

These files are pretty large.. I will be sending still images to my blog/site here which links to FB.

Stay thirsty, my friends (that will not be difficult for me to do here)

 

 

1 Comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »