The steel nest
I’ve always wondered how much steel is required to hold up an entire building. Tons, I imagine, snaking through concrete and plaster. I watched a group of construction workers…
Street Stories
Scooter 1-2-3
Faster and sturdier than an electric bicycle, casual and a small enough an engine that a license is merely a formality. Anyone can learn to drive a scooter…
Because the Street Belonged to Her
She was jaywalking in the huge intersection under the light patter of a persistent drizzle. The traffic warden yelled out to her to return to the curb as…
Take to the Street (Part 2)
The second of a two-part series of a self-imposed regiment of hip, chest and over-the-shoulder shooting with a 35mm f1.4. Primes are perfect in its speed, restraint and…
Take To The Street (part 1)
The weapon of choice is a 35mm f1.4. The rule, and the only one of the day: no looking through the view finder. Shoot from the hip, the…
Don’t poke around, but I’ll happily pose
“Good day, sir! How are you doing today?” Stare. “Working hard, I see? I’m curious about this site, I hear it’s a former military barrack. Are you all…
Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
“Hello. Bag? Watch? Jacket? See this menu, we have everything.” Try to side-step. “No thanks.” “Round the corner only la. Watch? Bag? DVD?” “No. No!” Walk faster. “Come…
Crossing together
They were standing at the traffic light. Looking right, then left. When the green man started flashing, the old man gripped the woman’s limp hand and they picked…
Walling the site
I stood completely disoriented in a vast track of demolished land running along Gongping Lu (公平路) and Tangshan Lu (唐山路). I was retracing an old longtang neighborhood but…
Nanchuks practice in the alleys
The days are growing hot in Shanghai, but not yet sweltering. City folk have graduated to short sleeves and the occasional shorts. We’ve yet to reach the state…