Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

My wife is from a town called Jinhua (pronounced jing-wah) and by Chinese standards it is a "village" of about 5 million people. SMALL for China. Anyway, the Riverwalk there is really nice, and there are enough buildings all lit up that you'd swear you were in Vegas. Really pretty at night. The Riverwalk goes all the way to the opera house, which is also magnificent in it's own right, and when we visit family there, we will usually go for a long walk and go by the opera house. You have to understand too that many Chinese find it odd to see a western man and a Chinese woman walking together and will often stop to ask questions. Mostly to my wife ("are you his interpreter?" being the most common...). Anyway, while we were walking, we ran across this splendid woman and she stopped to first welcome me to China ( :-) ) and next to ask where I was from. She was really delightful and so I asked if I could make a photo of her and she was happy to pose. Her smile really illustrates her personality and it was wonderful to meet her. When we were leaving, she called us back and gave me a can of coconut milk that she had stowed in her bag. I didn't open it and still have it tucked away in a box that I have, filled with things that people in China have given me. Every time I see it, I smile and think about this photo. You have to also understand that this woman is poor, even by Chinese standards, so for her to give me a food item is significant, because she is taking away from herself and most likely her family. So, to show my appreciation, I bowed to her and thanked her in Chinese. Respect.

EXIF data 1/6000th of a sec @F4 and 400 ISO. 85mm (35mm equivalent) lens on a Nikon N1AW1 with available light.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Charlie'smom

👏🏻

Pixie Jackie Loc: New Hampshire seacoast

You captured her personality, Dawg. She DOES look like a very nice lady. There should be more people in the world like her, and you, and your wife! "Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness." -- Jackie

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

A beautiful photo and narrative. Your post illustrates a world I believe in, thanks.

Railfan_Bill Loc: "Lost Wages", Nevada

Hi Dawg, When I went to China. We stopped in Guilin and I shot a lot of landscapes of the limestone monoliths there. However, when I tried to photograph a family and had my wife (she is Chinese) ask them if it was all right, they wanted money or I could not take their picture. I snuck the shot anyway, but later we visited another family and they invited us into their house. This was a big contrast to the other family. Attached is a picture of our group and the Chinese family in front of their house.

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Yeah, that happens. Especially if they see you are from the west. Chinese tend to think that Americans in particular are wealthy. I generally don't get asked to pay, but if they ask, and I see they are poor, I will generally give them 10-20 rmb. It is money I will never miss. That is rare though. My wife's aunt, who I just adore, has a 700 year old home in a tiny, tiny village of about 500 people. Whenever we visit, she parades me around and holds my arm while we walk. It is rare to see a western person in these villages, so it gives her status. We will end up being invited to many homes for tea and eggs (Eggs in China are reserved for special guests), so I end up drinking copes amounts of tea and eating a dozen hard boiled eggs. Hahaha! The Chinese are such sweet people and generally will go out of their way to assist you if you show them respect. It is such a beautiful place and a really amazing culture. I just love it here.

Here is a shot of the Aunt that I spoke about with her husband in their ancient home. Dirt floors, no running water and they are devout Buddhists, who are vegetarians and grow their own food. Amazing people and so kind to me.

Richard Spencer Loc: Evansville, Indiana

Very good photo of a beautiful person and nice narrative also. Thank you.

Pixeldawg Loc: Suzhou, China

Here is also a photo I dug up that shows the Jinhua Riverwalk and skyline that I wrote about. Shot with my iPhone X.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

A great portrait!

Irvingite Charles Loc: Irving, Tx

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Her personality really comes across.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

She has such a beautiful smile...well captured.

GED Loc: North central Pa

Thank you Pixeldawg for sharing your photo and experience in China. It is refreshing to see how citizens from two countries can respect and appreciate each other. It gives a much more pleasant perspective to how we view the folks there as opposed to what is portrayed by politicians and the media. Your lady in the photo radiates a look of kindness and a salt of the earth quality I believe we all need to see more of. Great work

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice informal portrait. Good job.

MollieG

Railfan Bill,

I realize there are many different perspectives on street photography - when do we ask someone to take their photo, when do we take a photo without permission. Generally I believe it is most respectful to ask someone before taking a picture - and if they say no, then honor their wishes. In your case you asked the family, and they refused unless you gave them something in return. In this circumstance, sneaking their picture after they refused consent was exploitive. This is ugly American behavior 101.