18 December 2012

Spying on South Red China

An interesting, sometimes mesmerizing street portrait is a photograph where the viewer feels that s/he can look into the soul of the subject, and relate emotionally or empathize with the subject on a human level. It's capable of bridging the gulf between different cultures, religions, beliefs, ideologies and languages.

There is a saying: Eyes are the Window/s to the Soul. If one looks at the most famous portrait paintings in history, most of the subjects in these paintings are looking directly at the viewer. This makes it more personal, intimate, sometimes thrilling: the subjects seem to make eye contact with the viewer.

In South China, like anywhere else in the world, the street photographer's soft skills (people skills and language skills) are key: (i) to establish eye contact with one's potential subject and create non-verbal rapport, (ii) to strike up a conversation, (iii) to ask for permission, (iv) to respect one's subject's time by mastering your own equipment, and (v) to show gratitude and thank the subject. Most of all though, enjoy your time in China!

close up, people, Chinese people, Chinese man, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Yunnan province, Kunming, Mao's little red book

close up, people, Chinese people, Chinese man, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Guangxi province, Xingping, Li river, old man, Chinese beard, fisherman

close up, people, Chinese people, Chinese man, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Guangxi province, Xingping, old fisherman

close up, people, Chinese people, Chinese man, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Yunnan province, Yuanyang, old man

people, Chinese people, Chinese man, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Guangxi province, Xingping, close up

people, Chinese people, Chinese man, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Yunnan province, Kunming, old Chinese man, Chinese beard, close up

people, Chinese people, portrait, street portrait, headshot, Macau, Chinese girl, smiling, close up

people, Chinese people, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Guìzhōu province, close up, Guiyang

close up, people, Chinese people, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Yunnan province, Kunming, ethnic minority, Bai woman, traditional headdress, Bai headgear

close up, people, Chinese people, portrait, street portrait, headshot, Hong Kong, Chinese girl, smiling, beautiful, Santa Claus hat

close up, people, Chinese people, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Guìzhōu province, Qīngyán Ancient Town

people, Chinese people, portrait, street portrait, headshot, South China, Guìzhōu province, street photographer, Qīngyán Ancient Town, close up


High-res portrait photographs with full exif data, geotags and technical details in Matt Hahnewald's