Dave Wyatt

The light was fantastic today so I went and shot in the more open side of the zoo again to make decent images of the viewing platforms and enclosures.  I am not worried about using these for my project at the moment, more just trying to get as many of the things I want shot done before I leave China in a couple of weeks.

I will post some images shortly but the biggest highlight was watching the zebra.  Think I may be loosing the plot a bit cos I was stood waiting for a groundskeeper to move so I could shoot the enclosure and daydreaming of midgets riding zebras in a cavalry charge.

Oh, and I came across what I believe was some Emu.  Never seen them up so close before and didn’t automatically recognise them without Rod Hull’s arm being elbow deep in one’s rear end…  Weird thing that caught my attention with them though was the sound they make, much like someone banging a bongo type drum!

Shot the rest of the viewing structures including the ones I did a few weeks ago that inspired this concept, despite having to make a dash through the gates to stop a suicidal emu following me into the hyena and wolf area. One of the Hyena’s was on heat as well and so they were all very boisterous today.  Made it round to the bear enclosure just as the light was disappearing and so the colours were all pastel hues but could only make some images because the main thoroughfare to the lions had been sealed off since my last visit.

Oh god it was cold yesterday, but unfortuately I didn’t realise this until I was standing in the wind with my tripod set up in Labour Park.  Well, the wind had hinted at it earlier when I was shooting some billboards with images of trees set up in front of actual trees but the realisation that a hoodie was not going to be enough to keep me from freezing was quickly setting in 30 mins later as I focused on the vents and sky lights of an underground market seen from the grounds of Labour park.

Image wise I basically spent a couple of hours wandering around the north and west sides of the park that I have not really visited before and focused on the little hints of man and the efforts at hiding the controlling elements within the park.  Interestingly came across a make shift home presumably again for homeless immigrant workers built behind some bill boards but nobody was home so could not get any portraits.

Finished off by shooting a little in the now empty amusement park, specifically the rollercoaster and a tree in front of it.   If I get a chance to go back here and the guy who was either the supervisor/watchman or someone trying to rob the place blind (could have gone either way to be honest) is not about I will hop the fence and shoot some more interesting images of the rollercoaster not in use.

Decided one last trip to the botanical gardens was in order after the light had gone last time before I covered the remaining exercise spaces so braved the gloomy looking sky (reminded me of English weather actually when I was actually there).

Turned out to be a wise move (isn’t being motivated to go and shoot always a good idea?) because I went to one space that had been occupied the past 2 trips and had one of the most interesting relationship between the trees and their adaption for use yet.

Made a point today to shoot images of the other parts of the park I found interesting as well including sie of the bank that supports the lake and the huge water pipes that are the output from the manholes I documented before here.

There is also an space here for an unknown game that is fenced off so managed a few frames of that although I have no idea what the game is at the moment.

Sadly I think my career as a celebrity in the park is over because bar a nod and Ni hao from the guys following me about last time as they passed me by I was left to my own devices for the afternoon.  I feel strangely D-list and washed up now… !

Dalian Botanical Gardens. Dalian, China. 3rd December 2008

After shooting a lot on Monday I intended to take it easy today and just shoot the wave defenses in Xinghai but the light was interesting and I felt like a hill so decided to stop putting off my Tai Shan visit.  Turns out I should have come here in the summer really when there may have been a chance of getting some light on the North side but oh well, the dim light adds to the eerie feeling on the North side where I found broken down walls and buildings that are perfect fodder for me at the moment.  If I get a chance with decent weather again (it is a few days later now and snowing heavily outside…) I’ll try and spend a day wandering through the woods both sides of the hill exploring whilst making new images.  Near the top you get a spectacular view North over the vast identical housing blocks with the new high rise buildings to the rear.  Had an interesting experience yet again when making images of this actually.  Heard a rumble and the screech of brakes behind me and turned to see 2 army jeeps with soldiers pouring out.  Obviously my heart sank a little and i was quickly working out what I had shot that may be  deemed inappropriate that day (nothing came or comes to mind!) so thought I was all good even though I knew I didn’t have all my papers on me.  Turns out they seemed to be escorting some officers who were going to watch the sunset at the top together… while the rest just stayed down with me at a lower level viewing spot.  Despite us not speaking the same language they seemed nice, with some old man pointing at me and shouting various things a lot while talking with them that included the words foreigner, England and stop, but they were absolutely pissing themselves at this slightly senile old guy which was a huge relief.  They even had a play with the camera while I was pointing out and trying to explain I was waiting for the tram to go through the frame…

Shahekou district, Dalian. China. 2nd December 2008.

The other interesting part of the day was on the way down the hill I found a small area set up presumably by an immigrant worker as a makeshift shelter.  The light was failing fast so shot a roll or so around the scene to add to a growing collection I have of these from around the parks so will see how they turn out.  Also should try to make time to go and hotograph the roads around the base of the hill because they are so very different than the more modern sanitised Dalian with overcrowding and power lines and pipes above the streets and generally looking more like most would assume China to look.