Faces and Places of China

Street Photography in the Ancient Village of Daxu, China

I started my amazing adventure in Guilin, China, on June 4 and 5, with travel/street photography, tour of the Reed Flute Cave, and a sunset cruise of the Sun and Moon Pagodas.

Then on Monday, June 6, I joined up with an incredible group organized by my talented friend, Jim Harmer, of Improve Photography (BYU-Idaho alumni). We set out for our first adventure together: STREET PHOTOGRAPHY and ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE in the ancient village of Daxu, China. We met our amazing guides, Andy and Mia Beales, who live in this area, know the people and speak fluent Chinese. I was surprised how friendly and accommodating the Chinese people were. Many of the villagers could not understand why we would want to photograph them in their humble homes, yet they were willing and charming, nonetheless.

Daxu Ancient Town is located on the east bank of the Li River, 14 miles southeast of Guilin City. Daxu is more than 1000 years, and originally formed in the early Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126). Daxu was the leader of four renowned ancient towns in Guangxi Province. The stone streets are narrow but adequate for foot traffic and motorcyle-converted delivery carts.

Lifestyle, Travel and Street Photography with environmental portrait opportunities is becoming my favorite genre because it combines landscape, architecture, portraiture, and “things.”