Shanghai candids...

[asterixsg]

I am not so much of a street photographer. However, one place where I've experimented a bit is in Shanghai. Rather than posting in the travel section, I've decided to post them here. This is a collection from my different visits to that vibrant city.

I've tried both a sniper approach and also walked up to people, pointed my camera towards them with a "keyi pai zhao ma ?". When I got their approval, quickly took the pics, showed them what I shot, gave them a million watt smile, a thanks and left promptly. Very few of them have declined, and even when they did it was with a smile and this didn't leave a bad taste.

I don't know why I don't muster this courage in other places that I have travelled to. I just don't feel comfortable.

I'll start with my favourites.

On a lazy, hazy morning at The Bund. The Bund is a hub of activity - throughout the day and night. Early in the morning, you will find people exercising, flying kites and if you are into people photography, this is a good place to start your day.

#1. Two teenage village girls had come to Shanghai in search of work. Their first stop - The Bund !!! They were looking curiously at my camera. I walked up to them, took couple of pics and showed them on the LCD screen. Amidst giggles, I took this last pic.

#2. Monocylist
I got talking to this old man. He showed me a French magazine with his photo on the cover of that magazine. Quite an interesting fellow.

#3. Saw this Ang Moh sleeping. Probably he had a beer too much the previous night

#4. Shanghai roads are shared by different modes of transport. Buses, cars, scooters, cyclists...

#5. While strolling on Zhangyang Lu in Pudong, I saw this security guard checking his shoe. Sniper shot.

 

[asterixsg]

#6. A retired couple, making sure they are ready to face their old age...

#7. A family, out for a walk early in the morning...

 

[Bcool]

Lovely series.:thumbsup:
I see you met the old man on the unicycle. He does skates
and pretty good on them too. :bsmilie:

 

[asterixsg]

Bcool,
Thanks. Glad you liked them.
I always look for an opportunity to escape to Shanghai :bsmilie:

The old chap was quite a friendly character. He did so many tricks once he realized I wanted to take his pictures. I thought I would keep those in my private collection
Now that you mentioned, here's one more for you (yes, I know. badly stitched in Photoshop).

#8. Artist at play...

 

[Redsun]

whoa he looks like a cool old man!

 

[asterixsg]

#9. A young couple. As we crossed each other, I couldn't help but look at their playful nature. Quickly turned around and took this picture.

 

[asterixsg]

#10. Ice cream advertisement.
I know this doesn't qualify to be a Candid shot. But decided to post anyway.
While waiting for a friend at Jing an si MRT station, I chanced upon this advertisement. Walked up and down a few times and I went weak in my knees every time I saw the model in the advertisement. Isn't she "oh so pretty" :lovegrin: and absolutely gorgeous ?
BTW, the title is for the ice-cream, just in case you all get some naughty ideas

 

[bigfish]

I really like #9. How many couples can share the same step like them in today's world? This is inspirational, at least to me.

 

[asterixsg]

I really like #9. How many couples can share the same step like them in today's world? This is inspirational, at least to me.

I am glad it worked for you. They were kinda cute, very young and playful. They had brought a smile to my face when I had walked past them.

 

[asterixsg]

#11. No business on a hazy morning for the souvenier photographers...

 

[asterixsg]

#12. Watching the sun go down...

As I was chasing the sun as it was about to set behind the buildings in Puxi, I saw this couple (kinda chained together ) engrossed in their conversation. They too were watching the sun set, and I decided to shoot them from the back.

 

[asterixsg]

Continuing from where I left off ...

I was in Shanghai last month and one of the days, I went to my favourite place - The Bund. The early morning haze, as usual, was BAD.

Made a few more friends and also met my old friend - The Artist - once again. And he kinda recognized me !!!

#13. Artist going past...

#14. Artist gonna crash into me ...

#15. He can juggle !!!
Each of those steel balls weigh couple of kilos

 

[garou12]

Continuing from where I left off ...

I was in Shanghai last month and one of the days, I went to my favourite place - The Bund. The early morning haze, as usual, was BAD.

Made a few more friends and also met my old friend - The Artist - once again. And he kinda recognized me !!!

#13. Artist going past...

#14. Artist gonna crash into me ...

#15. He can juggle !!!
Each of those steel balls weigh couple of kilos

seems abit on the red side. might want to tone down your saturation.

 

[Hydrogen]

beautiful series! ;p

 

[asterixsg]

seems abit on the red side. might want to tone down your saturation.

thanks for your feedback. i kinda realized that too. maybe i will play around with the images and repost later.

 

[asterixsg]

beautiful series! ;p

Glad you liked the photos. If you ever happen to go Shanghai, do make it a point to go early in the morning to the Bund. People are there as early as 4:30-5:00 AM. This last trip, I reached there at 5ish and people were already jogging, flying kites, doing tai chi.
Will post those photos later.

Also at night, the view of Pudong from the Bund is magnificient. I can sit there for a few hours :bsmilie:

For a comfortable view with reasonably priced drinks (eg. RMB 50 for a vodka with lime :thumbsup , one should go to Waithan San hao (No. 3 on the Bund). Sit at the outdoor balcony and enjoy the superb view. I felt a bit awkward to setup my tripod there. But if I am with a few ClubSnappers, we can have a tripod party there :bsmilie:

 

[skopio]

nice captures.

when i went there it was very hazy too. actually i preferred the view of puxi from pudong rather than pudong from puxi. if you know what i mean!

 

[Hydrogen]

Glad you liked the photos. If you ever happen to go Shanghai, do make it a point to go early in the morning to the Bund. People are there as early as 4:30-5:00 AM. This last trip, I reached there at 5ish and people were already jogging, flying kites, doing tai chi. Will post those photos later.

i go up to shanghai quite a bit. always wonder where those commercial shots of people doing taichi come from. problem is i never seem to be able to wake up early enough. will try to wake up early next time. perhaps can still squeeze in a couple hours of shooting before starting work. keke ;p

 

[asterixsg]

i go up to shanghai quite a bit. always wonder where those commercial shots of people doing taichi come from. problem is i never seem to be able to wake up early enough. will try to wake up early next time. perhaps can still squeeze in a couple hours of shooting before starting work. keke ;p

ha ha. never tried it on a weekday, bro. i need my full quota of sleep on a weekday, else i can't function :bsmilie:
my shanghainese friends think i am crazy to wake up at 4 in the morning to go to The Bund.
The groups doing taichi won't object to you taking photos of them, as long as you show them some respect. Stay out of their way and nod or smile when you are done. A million watt smile goes a long way

 

[untitled-ego]

#7. A family, out for a walk early in the morning...

How do you take a shot with the focus in colour and the rest b&W or you photoshop it?