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November 2009
The story behind it
01/11/2009
I am at Beijing, close to the Temple of Heaven, Tian Tan. The tranquillity, horizontal lines and rich architecture dominate. They dominate eyes and spirit. Since early in the morning many Chinese people get together for their Tai Chi. The green colours of the trees and fields spread among the geometry and symmetry of the buildings and pavements, along several acres. One would say that such would not be possible in a capital city as is Beijing! Check it out here, how big and beautiful the green area is. It is amazing how the knowledge of the old has been used for preservation, among the strains, interests and modern powers. Are we able to provide examples such as these? Do we provide our forests and trees the attention and care as I saw the Chinese doing?Comment
Technical issues
01/11/2009
It was registered in professional Kodak VS100 slide film, with the Nikon F80. No tripod was needed, having enough light for using a sufficiently closed diaphragm for long depth-of-field. The photograph has been digitally scanned with the Nikon Supercoolscan 9000. 100% of its original luminosity and colour have been respected. It was only slightly straighten by near 1º, since it has been made for absolute symmetry and coincidence between the top of the vault and the bottom of the arch. The light, diffuse, has also allowed the uniform lighting of the arch, being reflected by the stone pavement.Critial review
01/11/2009
It transmits strength and power. The absolute symmetry of the walls, gate, arch and roof may be against the rules. Following the most classical perspectives that we have more frequently seen on photography, one would say that something would be missing: a backlit profile of a person, underneath the arch, maybe sitting against one wall. But the idea has precisely been to register space and air in between the weight of the symmetry. The people in the distance do not break this balance. It is the tree on the right that does it. But, in fact, this is where I go back to the story behind it: It is the trees that in this place have the right to break the burdens, the strains, and the powers of modernity.Where you should place it
01/11/2009
This is a simple photograph that will go well in a space where oriental culture-related activities or sports take place. It is my view that it would provide balance with another opposing photograph, of a forest, breaking with all symmetrical lines and inorganic structures, on an opposite wall. Both will require good lighting.Another possibility would be in an office of someone that wants to transmit a sense of rigour, control and also strength. But someone that also appreciates a special asymmetry due to little but something important as...a tree!
