Cormorant Fisherman

The ancient fishing technique of using a diving cormorant to retrieve live fish started in 960 A.D. in China’s Guangxi Zhuang region. It is now nearly the end of an era, with only a few fisherman still practicing the ancient art.

The fishermen tame and train their cormorant birds and keep them as pets. When it’s time to fish, they tie a string at the base of the cormorant’s throat. This prevents the birds from swallowing larger fish when they dive into the Li River to scoop fish into their large bills. They spit out the larger fish when they swim back to the bamboo raft where their master waits.

Once a lucrative art, cormorant fishing is fading quickly, so it was a surreal experience to take in this scene along the peaceful waters of the Li River.

I spent several days photographing these cormorant fishermen and this incredible area with the famous karst mountains as a breathtaking backdrop. It seemed like a dream, or something out of Lord of the Rings!

Daxu Ancient Town

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.

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.

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

Daxu Ancient Town (Part 2)

Most of the charming people in Daxu Ancient Town were very willing to have their portrait taken. They considered it a compliment we were interested in their lifestyle. Daxu borders the famous Li River, which has been a major lifeblood for the people here for more than 1000 years. This town is one of four ancient towns that have served as the trade centers of this region in the Guangxi Province.

I adore travel / lifestyle and street photography with environmental portrait opportunities like this because you can learn so much about the culture and way of life.

Up Close and Personal: Chinese Home Tour

One of my favorite experiences in Guilin, China, was roaming the streets of Daxu, in Guangxi Province. This ancient town was an important trade center for the area, since it borders the Li River.  Spending time in this thousand-year-old village was like a walk into the distant past.

The people here were friendly and extremely open. Most of them were very willing and patient while we photographed them in their everyday environment. Several friendly folks invited us into their homes and were flattered we were curious to see how they lived, in an up close and personal way. Our guides Andy and Mia, used their fluent Chinese to explain we wanted to learn about and photograph the real Chinese people. It was humbling to see how happy these people are with very limited material belongings.

This man stood in his doorway and watched us as we walked by with our cameras. We nodded in a questioning manner and he smiled, so we knew it was okay to take some photos. Then Andy asked if we could see inside his home and he was very happy to show us around!

Mr. Cho

While roaming around the ancient village of Daxu, China, in Guangxi Province, 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.

Mr. Cho shows us his basement smoking room and then let us into his main room where plucked a simple tune on his sanxian while I used the natural light coming a side window to illuminate this scene. I love how shadows bring attention to the lit objects for a “chiaroscuro” contrast lighting effect. It was fascinating to see the blend of “old and new” in each home. Mr. Cho had a nice collection of antiques he proudly displayed in his home.