Actually, the world revolves around me!

World doesn't revolve at all ever since the Day the Earth Stood Still. Never got moving again.

Another Beijing Horsecart by Leighgion, on Flickr
Horse drawn carts selling fruits and vegetables are not common, but not unknown in the streets of Beijing. This is the second I've seen in about a year and a half. I ponder how long it takes them to journey into the city and what routes they take.

Working Close by Leighgion, on Flickr
Beijing buskers go everywhere, even on subway cars.

Roasters by Leighgion, on Flickr
No words suffice to add to this image.

Museum photography has gradually fallen down in my esteem, as it tends to easily fall into replicating images found on postcards from the gift shop. However, the National Museum had enough cool artifacts I still did a number of shots.

First, a selection of oddities.

Fight With a Smile by Leighgion, on Flickr
A bronze battle-ax head. Believe it or not.

The Emperor's Legacy by Leighgion, on Flickr
A jade burial shroud for the Emperor. Notice the kind attention paid to the Emperor's.. legacy.

Spear of Malice by Leighgion, on Flickr
For the enemies you really hate, a spear embellished with images of POW's.

Nice images Leighgion!

I see they made accommodation for the Emperor's ... ah ... package.
Nice touch.

Can't go to the afterlife with a permanent chafe! That would be hell.

some very unique shots Leigh, the spear seems even more lethal with its decorations.

The shroud display left the Emperor's package very much on our minds.

Some slightly more mundane displays from the National Museum:

Giant Buddah Head by Leighgion, on Flickr
I have nothing in the frame for scale, but this buddha head (no doubt once part of a giant statue) was a lot bigger than any of us.

Xian Loaners by Leighgion, on Flickr
Terracotta horse and warriors on loan from Xi'an.

Bovid Force by Leighgion, on Flickr
A bronze vessel with very detailed bovine embellishments.

Dude.. those bulls are very uh... detailed.

The giant buddha and terracotta warriors are fascinating. My parents went on a trip a few years ago and saw where the warriors were being unearthed I believe. They said it was amazing to see.

Geeze.. check out those horny bulls!

Buddah must have been one big dude.
With those chubby cheeks and stirrups for earlobes he must have been a sight to behold.
And I thought I had a big head!

The horse must have been representative of a mare or a gelding.
If it had genitalia I'm sure they would have included it like those other carvings.

Tiff, that would be Xi'an／西安, one of the major ancient cities and famous outside China mostly for.. you guessed it, the terracotta warriors. I first saw them in 1978. Large exhibits of them are generally in the trenches. I don't know if any of that is recreated excavation vs genuine on-site stuff, but I'm inclined to believe a number are displayed right where they were unearthed simply for reasons of space.

Jeff, Buddhism may be supposedly all about transcending the material world, but I don't know any other major religion that's as into giant statues.

My film output was very low last semester, but I managed some. The following was shot on Fomapan 400, a Czech film I use specifically for its low tech, old time look. For the first time, I used a lab to develop my B&W film. I think I won't do that anymore. Shot with my Olympus XA, one of the most pocketable 35mm cameras with a quality lens there ever was.

These Women's Work by Leighgion, on Flickr
Advert postings are so common they're practically their own environmental issue.

Sugarcane Man by Leighgion, on Flickr
During season, it's common to find fresh sugarcane for sale as a snack.

Polishing Infrastructure by Leighgion, on Flickr
Surfaces in Beijing need constant cleaning, especially high traffic places like this subway escalator.

The contrast on these is very stark. Almost seems like the dynamic range is all in the upper and lower ranges, with nothing in the middle. Is that what you meant by "low tech"?

Friendly Photon wrote:
Not quite. Fomapan 400 builds contrast very fast, but that's not a given with older emulsions. The Foma factory is old, so the processes used to manufacture most of their films literally is retro without many of the technological refinements of newer films. Produces a very different look.

A major reason this particular batch of film came out so contrasty is a lab did the development. Lab will use very standard, one size fits all chemistry. If I'd done it, I'd use a particular dev combo to moderate contrast. Compare an earlier photo shot on the same film with the came camera/lens but home developed:

Delivery Boy by Leighgion, on Flickr

The light here is actually much harder than the previous shots, yet there's a lot more mid tones in the image. Better imaging through chemistry.

Hutong Parking by Leighgion, on Flickr
胡同/Hutongs, often translated as "lanes" or "alleys" are tightly packed, traditional residential streets. Many are gone now, but there has been some efforts towards preservation.

Perfect place for B&W photographs.

Nice job Leighgion.

Love that old hand-made broom!

(I'm currently reading a book where the author describes a 'hutong' he stumbles upon in Shanghai. I get it now!)