Wow! I don't know what it is with Chinese writing but I find it soothing. Fits with the otherwise beautiful picture!

Good look with further shots Dave - i'm sure you'll come back with some crackers :) This one I really love for the softness and mistyness of the sky. Very serene :)

yes, it's something to do with hiring fish rods.

well, it's true that sometimes us, Chinese(i'm chinese but not from china ;) ) are kindda weird. i mean when you compare Chinese people with Caucassians, our culture, or in this case, sense of humour is hard to understand.

eclipse-space: I guess, from the outside, that one culture is pretty much as wierd as the next, but it's not until you're in a culture that you don't comprehend that you realise how just how much you take the everyday stuff for granted. I think that most people I came across today probably thought I was a bit weird ;-)

Its rare to see a photo of a wide expanse of sea just off the Chinese coast without a shedful of junks criss crossing. Excellent photo - as usual.

I have some chinese friends that come visit me from time to time and they told me that they prefer the occidental way of living. They said that people here are more humorous and see life in a different way. I have a totally different opinion. I apreciate more the oriental way of thinking about values and nature.

About this shot, I enjoy the composition very much but there is something with the colors that I don't like. Did you post-processed this photo in Photoshop beside C1 Pro?

Very soothing shot indeed. Great job.

eclipse-space: I think it has a lot to do with intonations and use of language. I find that in Chinese culture there is a lot of shouting going on, but usually the conversation is friendly. The problem with reading this as a foreigner is that it's loud and not understandable. Usually this adds to up to feeling of apprehension.

as i live in china, its very interesting to read your comments on the chinese people and culture. and its great to see china photos. i look forward to more! and check out my site if you want to see more china photos....

wow, stunning...

nicely done shot, I like the blue sky in the corner and the fog in distance, your explanations reminded me the time I used to live in China-Beijing, you are right, it is so hard to read people's feelings from their body language or tone

The colors of sunset give me more hope for my own photo habit.

I don't know why, but most of your seaside shots from before have reminded me of the seaside towns (er, large cities) I've been to in China. So it was a nice surprise to see an actual picture from China :-P

In any case, keep up the good work!

Greetings from the Land of Enchantment (New Mexico USA) Love this photo - sky is gorgeous - grill work reminds Caillebotte, one of my favorite Impressionists.

I love the irony of expecting a profound Confusian proverb as part of this beautiful scene, only to learn the message is as pedestrian as hiring fishing rods.

This is what the sign says:

For rent (top box)
Camera (middle left box)
Fishing (middle right box)
Bait (bottom box)

That's nice, very tranquil. A bit too much sky for my taste, but that's ok.

As much as a professional as you are, I can't imagine that you are not able to read any faces well. So perhaps you are holding yourself back? Obviously with a language barrier, you might be missing something crucial here. But I'd say, go with your instinct. My current personal philosphy is that people are more alike than different. For example, wouldn't it be more likely that the sign said something about fishing rods than some "zen words of wisdom?"

This more-same-than-different perspective is how I've approached the strangers I've been meeting recently, and I believe I have made more friends than otherwise. You know what I mean?

givevs a very serene feeling...nice

I love the chance to see some of your exploration of a new locale and particularly one so removed from your usual environs.

So many nice things have been said about this shot that I hate to go a bit in the other direction. It doesn't have your usual snap that comes from tweaking it in CS (CS2 now?) and I assume that is because you are working from a laptop that doesn't have a display calibrated the same as you equipment at home. I feel it is a bit muddier than the rest your work.

Also, the iron work at the top of the right rail sits exactly on the horizon, competing with the island for attention. For me, it's terribly distracting and not complimentary to the overall composition.

I'll await your return to learn if you agree or if you think I'm a dullard.

The lighting is very nice, good shot.

Fishing rods are definitely Zen in China. I have seen old guys in China with a hole in the pavement (obviously overhanging the sea) sitting on boxes fishing in the water below.

Wonderful graduated colours in this shot.

The photo is so peaceful, wonder ful gradient in the sky. Wonderful shot, as usual. Good luck in China.

i love the framing.

Georgeous shot. I love the subtle color and gradation in the sea and sky contrasted to the dark fence and sign. Another perfect shot for a large white matte and simple black frame.

I came across an American in my hometown Hong Kong about 2 years ago and he told me it was very difficult to photograph Chinese. He told me most of them refused, or even covered your lens and asked you to stop.

Hey Dave are you coming to Hong Kong? I want to see my city through your eyes. Email me if you want a guide.

Love that subtle colors in the snap. Your snaps are magic!!! Very inspirational.

this shot is amazing, love the lights and the strong chinese characters in the front.

Just came back from a year in China - I learned to take pictures there, and am having quite a tough time adjusting back to the US.

Fun to reminisce about our first few days when we were as lost as you - only guideless and perpetually starving!

Eat some dumplings for me!

beautiful.

Sometimes hard to believe chinese writing is just text, it looks so decorative, even if it is only about fishing rod hire. Lovely shot, enjoy your trip.

hahah, fishing rods eh ?
no matter waht the sign says, I find this picture very relaxing, well done.

Beautiful muted colours...

I'm very new to photography and love to look at your photos as they give me inspiration to look for interestings shots. Great shot.

Awesome post what a beautiful way to capture nature's scenery through this pic.

Great Work

The paradise???

Nice photo!

:)

actually chinese people are very friendly. however the problem is for most of them it maybe the first time to see a British holding a camera and asks permission for taking a photo.. or even the first time seeing a british standing in front of them instead of movies or news.. as a result, they may be a little bit scared -.-"

anyway, dalian is a beautiful city, enjoy your journey there...

Really like the composition of this one, a similar shot with english language on the sign would create such a different ambience. its great how text can contribute to the feel of an image in such a way.

exactly right- Chinese people find privacy very important. i don't know why, it's just that we're not as friendly as other people.. like say if you're in Indian or Africa, probably they'd be more than happy to have a shot.

i don't agree that you can use your instinct, especially if you're in a new culture, like the Chinese culture. tamONLINE probably got lucky or has not experienced the china-culture first hand. Eastern culture is totally different from Western.

I saw a video clip today that in Japan, employers want their employees (and people in general) are going to "Smiling Schools" to learn how to smile, because smiling is not in their tradition. They never have really showed facial expression in their history before. In order to be more globalized, they have to learn how to smile!! how different is that?

The tones in this one are great. The silhouettes fence and lit sign, very nice.

Thanks everyone.

As for the Chinese people: it's been an honour to have been welcomed into their country, and while I have only a rudimentary understanding of their culture I've been extremely impressed with their hospitality and their willingness to welcome people into their country. I may have singularly failed to photograph them, but this is my failing, not theirs, and I'm just pleased that I could visit for a while, albeit very briefly.

You made me laugh with the story about the emotions and I can see what you mean. Putting that aside. This picture is beautifule peaceful The ad is like an element out of its environment but looks well there. Hope to see more of this later.

Culture differences between China and Europe are massive but bypassable. Hopefully in my case anyway. Great shot.

Translation:
For rental; Camera; Fishing Rod; Bait.

Still very zen to me ;-)