During my time in China I have come to believe that somewhere between 98-99% of the male population (and a not insignificant percentage of the female population) smoke anywhere from one to five packs of cigarettes a day. China apparently in this regard is modeling it’s behavior after New York in the 1940s, because people smoke constantly and everywhere.I was going to list all the places where Chinese people smoke, but it’s actually easier to list the places where Chinese do NOT smoke. Let’s see…um…well, I don’t think they smoke while they sleep.
Larger cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai are starting to clamp down and smoking is no longer allowed in shopping malls, elevators and most restaurants, but these rules have definitely not come to the mainland.
However you may feel about smoking it does have one very useful benefit for me as a photographer in China; it’s a great ice breaker to strike up a conversation.
Try putting a camera in the face of a laobaixing who’s trying to get his plot ready before the rains come and, well it’s probably best if you don’t understand the local dialect. Now, offer that same “Old Hundred Names” farmer a smoke and a bit of conversation in the worst Mandarin he’s ever heard (always good for a laugh) and not only will he let you take all the photos you want, but send you home with a cabbage.
(click above images for larger view)
Technical Details: All images Leica M9-P + 50/0.92 Hyperprime with ND1.8 filter
I have never claimed to be a “street photographer”, and it’s probably for the best because in a city where there’s 700,000 Chinese and one westerner it’s pretty hard to blend in. Oh sure, I get my shots, but walking down the sidewalk here is like walking down Fifth Avenue in a full size muppet costume. People stare, then they’re not sure they’re seeing correctly, then they point, then they say something like “that poor guy looks just like a foreigner”. Because of this I have had to change my photographic strategy, as I have no desire to end up as the first incarcerated paparazzi in Laifeng. Instead I pick out an interesting person whom I want to photograph, stroll over and offer up the local greeting, “Please smoke!!!”
9 Comments
Interesting article Stephen, will have to buy a few packs of cigarettes when over there. Great pictures too.
Thanks Dave, if I can be of any assistance during your trip just drop me a note.
Cheers!!!
Congrats on the new site, Stephen!
Cheers Ashwin!!! Tina and I are looking forward to you and Jennifer visiting us sometime soon so we can show you guys this amazing country.
This is going to be a great website Stephen!
I like this piece Patty.
Take some more of ‘ordinary’ scenes and people.
I always think that it’s the people who make places memorable.
A.
Thanks Mr. Jones. I shall take your advice, but in Laifeng, with 700,000 local residents and no Starbucks, no McDonalds, no movie theaters, no tourists and no westerners (except ME!!!) it’s hard not to take a photo of ordinary scenes and people here!!!
“No McDonalds, No movie theatres, No tourists and No Westerners…”
With my ever developing misanthropy and dislike of the modern world, this sounds blissful.
As I get older, I rather revel in being somewhat disconnected from events.
A.
Nice website.
You should try Russia if you really want to see smoking. China just isn’t in the same league.