Picture of the Week #318 "Green Lights" Beijing, China 2014 Signed & Stamped

Everyone has heard of or experienced the pollution in China. Here is the main street heading towards the Forbidden City where you see just how bad it can be. But to be fair, this was at a time of day where the light was already fading. President Obama and other world leaders were coming for the Asian Pacific Economic Conference, so they closed the factories and turned off the Coal mines and in two or three days the skies were bright blue and showed how the climate of Beijing can be made livable. It seems they are working on cleaning up the air while still being able to be the world leader in providing so many things we use today.

Picture of the Week # 317 Window Washer Quartet" Shanghai, China 2014 Signed & Stamped

I don't know why but I always seem to be fascinated by Window Washers. Maybe it's because I am not great on dealing with heights. I've photographed Window Washers in Vancouver, Santa Monica and now Shanghai. One day I will produce a show of them as they are all very graphic. There is a certain danger in these images that is intrinsic to their work that I hope comes through the photograph.

Picture of the Week #316 "Selfie with Cows"  Shanghai, China 2014 Signed & Stamped

There was an all girl band that were just packing away their drums when I saw this adorable young drummer taking a selfie in front of the painted Cows. I couldn't resist taking this picture which works for my "MAO to NOW" project but also fits in to my "Pictures That Make You Smile" which is an on going portfolio of humorous images. These days most pictures are of landscape, war or dead celebrities. The great Magnum photographer Elliot Erwitt is the only photographer that comes to mind with a  sense of humor in his work. But his are black and white, mine are in color. 

Picture of the Week #315 "Tribal Lady in a Blue Hat" Beijing, China 2014 Signed & Stamped

I came across this woman in the Forbidden City in Beijing. I have no idea where she is from or what her outfit signifies. On closer inspection I noticed that the coins were dated 1906 and had "Francaise"and Yun-Wan Province on them. I have no idea if they were medals, coins or some designers' decoration. She was happy to pose for me, even though she's not exactly smiling in this picture. She did in earlier ones but I like this one the best. I was not happy with the original background which was a grey cobblestone and there were buildings and tourists behind her. I was only interested in her. Late last night I started to manipulate the image. First I darkened the background and it went blue, as if it had rained. I loved her wrinkled face that has seen so much and only wish I could have communicated with her besides smiles and Thank you's.

Picture of the Week #314 "Window Washing" Shanghai China 2014 Signed & Stamped

Even though I am currently working feverishly on my images from China from 1980 titled "MAO to NOW" and comparing them to today, I couldn't help but include this image. The color, the lighting and the fact that the models pictured are caucasian and the woman cleaning the glass is Asian. And how nicely she is dressed. Even her red sneakers look good. Perhaps she works at Tod's, the name of the chain store where I took this picture before the mall had officially opened.