Before the cars arrived Photo

Photographer’s Note

This is one of the main streets in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia, in August 1986. Although taken just slightly more than 20 years ago this picture shows a China that was profoundly different from today. The streets were totally dominated by bicycles, not just in provincial cities like Hohhot, but even in Beijing. And most people still wore traditional working class clothes.
This picture was taken with a Canon F-1 and is scanned from a Kodachrome slide. I have worked hard to clean it after scanning but traces of noice may still be found.

JanD, molla, saxo042, noborders trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

nikosrio (1048) 2008-05-13 1:26

Hello Gert,
looks like an old time.Even colors looks like this,excellent picture with nice composition and light.20 years may be to much after all.Thanks for sharing,
regards,
Nikos.

JanD (14606) 2008-05-13 1:41

Howdy Gert!
Very interesting scene. Good POV. Original dynamic shot.
Regards!

skippy007 (6957) 2008-05-13 1:51

Hello Gert, Nice reproduction considering it's age. It certainly looks old, no cars or motor bikes even the colour looks different. Your hard work has been rewarded a pic. worth seeing.
Thanks
Santo

emka (21179) 2008-05-15 14:46

Hi, Great photo. I am looking at your old photo with great interest because it is china that doesn't exist any more. there are still "nine milion bicycles in Beijing, it's a fact", but a lot of cars also. On your photo one doesn't see any western influence. Thanks for sharing

Malgorzata

saxo042 (15448) 2008-05-20 2:38

Hej Gert,
An interesting documentary! Not a car in sight! I wonder what street looks today. Maybe the buildings are all gone and replaced by hi-rises as well.
Hälsningar
Gunnar

noborders (14199) 2008-05-21 12:37

I like a lot this feel of old pics, and of course you are right, the bicycles tend to have problems nowadays in China due to the inevitable increase in other vehicles... What's moving is the mother with her 2 kids on the FG and I can guess 2 feet of another passenger on the left as well... Still, some years ago, it was nice and fun to cycle into Chengdu (where the old houses are disappearing at an alarming rate - and now the earthquake...)
Thanks again to post those interesting documents from another era !
Best regards,
Cath.

archimatica (13222) 2008-08-22 14:25

Ciao Gert.
Great picture: it document the "old chineese time"...
In your work there is always a professional sight of the situation. (Excuse my english language...)
Best regards
Renzo