Flying in on August 8th to the not so blue skies of Beijing.
I spent the day shadowing Simon on various photo shoots today. First assignment: Finding mothers around the shopping centers at The Place.
Simon's colleague interviewing one of the mothers we found. My focus in this picture was the split pants that all the babies/toddlers wear throughout China.
They've put this enormous Coke sponsored Olympic structure in the middle of the square at The Place. Besides endless advertisements for Coke, it also has lots of televisions for watching the games.
Something that has struck me over the past few days is how happy everyone seems. Beijing is usually a fairly cold place in my experience, but the Olympic spirit seems to have warmed it up a bit--even for police officers in their new outfits, ready to smile at the random foreigner's camera. (The Place)
This young child was very curious about my camera. (The Place)
People watching the Chinese women's gymnastics team win Olympic gold at The Place.
Coke add with the bird's nest, The Place
More police at The Place
Women catching up on the weekly gossip in the shopping malls at The Place
Flags cover the city these days--This one near Ritan Park
Simon shooting a flag near Ritan Park
A typical Beijing clothing store near Ritan Park
Street scene near Ritan Park
Olympic volunteers hanging out on the sidewalk near Ritan Park
Happy tuc tuc driver. He gave me a big smile and wave as he passed by. Near Ritan Park
This elderly man had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk to feed this baby a tomato when I walked by. Near Ritan Park
Kid crossing the street near Ritan Park
Nanluoguxiang Street scene
Couple walking in Nanluoguxiang. I love how Chinese guys carry their girlfriends' purses.
An Olympic-proud tuctuc in Nanluoguxiang
Street scene in Nanluoguxiang. Notice the potted plants and fake mini-palm trees put up for the Games.
Street scene near Nanluoguxiang: "You close your eyes honey, and I'll watch you, and let's see how far we can get without hitting anything."
For those who don't believe that you can look directly at the sun on most summer days in Beijing, here's proof. Though pollution doesn't feel as thick as usual with Olympic pollution measures in place, the sky has been grey nearly every day I've been back. (8/13/08)
And to contrast, here's a view of sunset on Friday the 15th. With an Air Pollution Index of 17, this is the cleanest day I've seen in my three years in Beijing.
A few minutes later
More sunset
Sunset on Saturday, still quite a nice day, though visibly hazier.
A month ago when I left, this was an empty construction lot filled with debris. Now it's a mini great wall made of ivy, complete with fountains and colorful flowers.
Night street scene near Guijie
Night street scene on Guijie
Beijing Booking Dance Festival 2008. This festival brought together leading Modern dancer's from China and the US for workshops and performances throughout the city. I had a chance to shoot at this performance on Thursday and it was INCREDIBLE!
"Double", Tao Studio
"Scales", Kim Roberts Dance Company
"Kunqu Vision," Artists from the National Ballet of China
"Scales," Kim Roberts Dance
"Waves Against Sand," Kim Roberts Dance
Entire cast of the 2008 Beijing Booking Dance Festival
