An undated photo shows Qinghai Province’s Qinghai Lake, (Chinese: 青海湖; Hanyu Pinyin: Qīnghǎi hú), historically known as Koko Nor or Kuku Nor (from the Mongolian name, literally meaning “Blue Lake”), is a saline lake situated in the province of Qinghai, and is the largest lake in China.

Golmud City, located in the southern part of Haixi Mongolian-Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, aims to attract more tourists this year with its key scenic spots such as the Kunlun Mountain, the salt lake and the diversiform-leaved poplar forest.

At present, Golmud City tries to polish its image as a famous tourist city with its tourists and tourist revenue on the rise year by year.

The city boasts “China’s salt lake city” on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau — the roof of the world. The Kunlun culture is also promoted as part of its efforts. The diversiform-leaved poplar forest is one of the 50 landmark tourist sites of Golmud tourism.

Fast track to the rural heartlands

By Fei Liena and Wang Li  |   2010-1-7

CHINA’S rural regions will benefit from a new phase of the country’s opening up over the next few years as extensive rapid rail networks are constructed to facilitate hinterland development. Fei Liena and Wang Li assess the progress.

The Miao ethnic village of Basha in Guizhou Province is tucked away in mountainous region and has little connection with the outside world. In the small 2,000-resident village of Basha in southwest China, Wu Laoguang lives a peaceful, rustic life interrupted by the occasional tourist.

Although well-preserved traditions of Miao ethnic culture increasingly make the mountainous village a tourist attraction, the 56-year-old plowman never travels far. He has little connection with the outside world, except when asked by excited visitors to be in their photos. Read More here

The heart of a travel photographer desires that one epic shot; the shot you just cannot wait to show friends and family, ones that remind of great vacations, trips of a lifetime or for submitting to publications; this class will give you tools to make your photos better. the heart of photography is Light. At the heart of light is ambient, the other is Strobe aka. Flash. If you’re intersted in learning about Flash Photography, this two-day workshop will help you build your understanding and hone your skill of flash photography.

Striving for those candid shots as well as posed can test your ability to adapt, but these moments can also lead to an heirloom photo; worthy of passing down generation to generation in remembrance of amazing times in life.

T.S. Robinson can help you overcome obstacles involved not only in travel photography but in travel itself. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or just wanting better photos from travels, this workshop will lead to a better understanding of how to take better photos while traveling, or at the very least leave you with bad case of wanderlust.

Part of this 2-day workshop will include an afternoon in downtown Denver actively photographing travel scenes in your own backyard.

Traveling photography can be challenging at best, there may be no time to pose subjects or worry if the sun is backlighting too much. You are a photojournalist angling to get the best shot in the moment.

I believe we tend to romanticize Native Cultures that are living a simpler life than we are. These cultures are disappearing along with their language, art and beliefs at an astonishing rate. A key term in these instances is ethnocide, a term often used to describe loss of culture or language. Of the some 6000 languages spoken worldwide, it is thought that nearly half of them are endangered. If language is being lost, imagine what has happened to the culture that spoke that language.

In a 2007 talk about cultures in the far corners of the world, Anthropologist and National Geographic Explorer Wade Davis explained that because nearly half of the languages spoken on earth are no longer taught to children, they are essentially dead. He cites a statistic that nearly every two weeks, a language dies off completely. See his incredible lecture here.

Wade says that losing a language is not just losing a way of speaking, it is losing an entire set of knowledge, a complete history of a people. Demonstrating how language shapes our understanding of the world, he pointed to a tribe in the Amazon that does not distinguish between the color blue and green, or the necessity of creating a whole set of words to describe the differences among plants that Western scientists would not be able to distinguish. Wade called loss of language part of the ethnocide of a people, losing languages eliminates ways of thinking and entire realities and understandings of how the world works.

UNESCO’s 2003 convention of Intangible Cultural Heritage states ” the past three hundred years have seen a dramatic increase in the death and disappearance of languages leading to the situation today in which 3,000 or more languages that are still spoken are endangered, seriously endangered or dying, with many other still viable languages already showing signs of being potentially endangered and soon entering in the phase where they will be endangered and will face disappearance:”

UNESCO has published a new interactive atlas atlas of dying languages.

Romanticism of Native Cultures is no longer an option, looking at photographs filled with solemn faces of a people lost  is no way to appreciate diversity of a people. Culture preservation is not only  paramount to save a cultures way of understanding but allow those of us outside a culture to gain new views into understanding another peoples way of life.

I can’t offer language lessons but I can offer my photography in hopes of fostering your understanding of cultures that are being transformed and lost, join me to not only view photographs but also to embrace your own culture.

Through understanding comes acceptance.

If you have ever hauled a camera bag long distances you know how painful that can be. Especially on a long day outing to temples with loads of stairs, something I have tried lately is to use my regular 1 1/2 day backpack with real support, packs like this are meant to carry a heavy load and distribute it to alleviate a heavy load. What I have done is purchased the lowepro lens case 4S and lens Case 3 and the thinktank photo skin chimp cage for my body to use in a back pack. I used this system in Cambodia with great results, much more support and carrying capacity. The pack is the Arcteryx bora 35 and it handles a lot of weight really well, 3 lenses, camera body, jacket, food, and a water bottle on the outside. I suggest if you have back problems when using your camera to try a similar system out.

Dromomania, also travelling fugue, is an uncontrollable psychological urge to wander.^[1] People with this condition spontaneously depart from their routine, travel long distances and take up different identities and occupations. Months may pass before they return to their former identities. The term comes from the Greek: dromos (running) and mania (insanity).^[2]

The most famous case was that of Jean-Albert Dadas, a Bordeaux gas-fitter. Dadas would suddenly set out on foot and reach cities as far away as Prague, Vienna or Moscow with no memory of his travels. A medical student, Philippe Tissie, wrote about Dadas in his doctoral dissertation in 1887.^[3]

Jean-Martin Charcot presented a similar case he called automatisme ambulatoire – French for “ambulatory automatism” or “walking around without being in control of one’s own actions.”

More generally, the term is sometimes used to describe people who have a strong emotional or even physical need to be constantly traveling and experiencing new places, often at the expense of their normal family, work, and social lives.

Photos of people we meet while traveling often bring home very intimate memories, nothing compares to a powerful portrait from a far-off place to remind and inspire.

I am suggesting approaches that would, most likely, be considered photo-journalistic travel photography, still others think of these shots as environmental portraits. There is much debate on respecting people and always asking to take their photograph, respect is always in order, but also consider what photojournalists do. Photojournalists are witnesses to an event, recording images for the benefit of history, this does not include asking permission.

The best way to find those faces that define character, deep wrinkles, heavy set eyes, or my favorite, a great defining nose (think Incas) can be simply to wander, find the local fish market, stop at the passing farm, people working or enjoying their day at the park can make for great portraits. In these situations, working candidly (that is, unobtrusively) is often your only alternative, as subjects come and go quickly. A great telephoto lens like an 80mm to 200mm zoom, will enable you to remain at an inconspicuous distance. Although there is a fine line between working politely from a distance and appearing sneaky. If you are perceived as the latter, you will certainly draw more suspicion than cooperation. If you’re spotted by your subject, seize the opportunity to start a conversation in which you can ask them to pose. It may not be the photo you were hoping for, but it could turn out spectacular, especially if they are curious about you. If you are a digital photographer, do not forget to show them the picture you took.

That being said, when you do get candid pictures, always try and approach the subject to have a more relational interaction, people are not just part of the scenery, don’t make the mistake of treating them as such and this could lead to a situation where you get even better candid photos.

If you are in the same place for awhile, consider sitting in one place for a bit with your camera at hand, in sight of everyone. Slowly, people may approach you, when they do, point at the camera and smile, if they smile back, try pulling your camera up for a shot, you will know if the person is comfortable with this or not, after awhile people will forget you are there, going about their own business while you are taking as many photos as you like. This technique can lead to stunning portraits of local people. Visiting the same place more than once in this way, can make people very comfortable by getting used to seeing you with your camera, leading to unexpected friendships or even free bread from a Tibetan monk.

Posing someone for a portrait isn’t always the goal, candid or unposed pictures can remind that you witnessed something special, a new culture, new experience or event. Frame the scene tightly to take in just the head and shoulders, especially good with an 80mm-200mm but can also work well with smaller lenses (24-70) and try to keep direct eye contact with your subject. Don’t automatically encourage people to smile: Always allow them to be shy or pensive or curious, let their personality show, it will show in the photo.

Background Blur, Tibetan Barley Farmer

Portraits look best when the background is either simple or out of focus; one technique is to use a large aperture and selective focus to cast the background into a soft blur, another feature you may try is Aperture Priority to blur a background. Even lighting is most flattering, try to pose your subject in the shade, this may include your own shadow. Bright midday light from overhead is the worst; it will create strong shadows under the eyes, use fill flash in this situation to overcome the shadowed face details if you want bright clear photo, if not, let the shadows play on the face, it may create a very dramatic portrait.

Finally, remember that there are places in the world where taking someone’s picture is taboo, some believing it steals the soul. Do the research, know where you are going and the likely habits and beliefs of the people you will find there.

Myself and my fiance’ , Seven Domino, do photo tours in China, Lhasa Tibet, Qinghai Province, Amdo and Kham areas of Tibet. Please contact me directly or Bill at Tibetan Connections.

Tours will be organized with Tibetan Connections in Xining China, the eastern gateway to Lhasa.

Lhasa, the very name meaning ” place of the gods”, once forbidden to foreigners, still has an almost magnetic draw, that distant place shadowed in corners of our imagination, snow capped Himalayan mountains, people etching out their existence with calloused hands, hand made tools, a hardened back, keeping to a traditional life for lack of want. For some it may be hard to even imagine how it is possible to travel within one day, to reach this far off destination. Located at the foot of Mount Gephel, traditionally the seat of the Dalai Lama, is one of the world highest capitals at  11,450 feet (3,490 meters) it leaves one a bit short on breath at first but its wonders will leave you breathless. Palaces Potala and Norbulinka are world heritage sites, match that with the Jokhang as the holiest center for Tibetan Buddhist’s, pilgrims visiting every day,  it gives way to an incredible place to visit and photograph.

Amdo, in the Qinghai province is one of the three traditional states of Tibet, the other two being U Tsang and Kham. Often when people think of Tibet, they only think of maps made in the late 50’s where Tibet is shown as a small country, in reality it was much bigger than most think. There are many dialects of the Tibetan language spoke in Amdo due to the traditional geographical isolation of many tribal groups, however the written Tibetan language is the same throughout Tibet. The Tibetan inhabitants of Amdo are referred to as Amdowa (amdo pa) as a regional distinction from the Tibetans of Kham (Khampa) and U-Tsang (Central Tibet), however, they are all considered ethnically Tibetan, with some being of mongol descent. Amdo topography is vast, ranging from mountains at elevations reaching ?

Amdo is also home to the Kumbum (Ta’er) monastery in Gyantse, “Kumbum” means “100,000 enlightening bodies of the Buddha”. It is named after the 100,000 images of the Buddha Sinhanada which appear on the leaves of the holy sandalwood tree. Please see my website for a few shots of Kumbum, this is truly a magnificent place.

Kham is a region where Khampas, a subgroup within the Tibetan ethnicity, live. Linguists and anthropologists refer to Kham as the ‘Ethnic Corridor of Southwest China’, as its vast and sparsely populated territories are inhabited by over 14 culturally and linguistically distinct ethnic groups. There are, however, significant differences in traditions and beliefs—even physical appearance—between the peoples of Kham and Lhasa. At least one-third of Kham residents are speakers of Qiangic Languages, a family of twelve distinct but interrelated languages. Many Khampas are members of the Bön religion or ‘Black sect’ of Tibetan Bhuddism, a group that had been largely marginalized and stigmatized by other Tibetan sects. Kham has a multitude of cultures including Nomads.

Bandannas, that iconic 70’s head gear seeming to make a come back every so often. I think Bandannas are best left off the head, many would disagree. I do however use one on every trip I take. they are handy for many things, like duct tape for travel comfort ( actual duct tape is irreplaceable of course, I wrap some on a pen to take) . What, you say, can a bandanna be used for aside from head gear? For starters wash a new one ten times to make it soft for use as a sweat dabber, for photographers this can be important to wipe eyes clear, or your forehead so sweat doesn’t reach your eyes. Bandannas can tie broken things together, like a torn pack strap or pants missing a button. You can wrap precious travel treasures in them. Use them as a nose wiper, any other type of emergency wiper, if you get my drift (toss this one), wipe water from your camera, and for men, hold up the testes in dire heat rash-jock itch situations, you see, many uses, get one, use it, covet it, love it.  If any women out there would like to add to this list, please let me know what you use your bandannas for. Go Bandanna!

Traveling to Lhasa by train from Xining is a great way to see some of the Tibetan Plateau and help with jet lag by relaxing a bit before you arrive to Lhasa.  Approximately 24hrs from Xining.  There are some key points I want to bring up; train tickets are not a commodity in China, they can be hard to come by and much more expensive than you will see posted on the train website. Keep in mind some travel companies buy the tickets up, charging what they want, a minor inconvenience and rarely do people go without. Hard sleeper vs. soft sleeper; price between the two can be incredible if you can find soft sleeper tickets. Hard sleepers are not as bad as they sound, it is a 6 person cabin, 3 beds on each side, I am 6′2″ (187cm) and I fit comfortably. The sleepers come with a thin mattress that is similar to a camping pad in thickness, resonably comfortable, clean sheets, clean blanket, pillow. There is luggage storage above the cabin, it is much deeper once you get up to take a look, also if you get a ground floor bed you will have storage under the bed. We had 2 large backpacks, a large rolling duffel, a small pelican case and a shoulder camera bag, we fit, tightly. Soft sleepers looked very comfortable and the people we talked to were very happy they paid for them, they are 4 to a cabin with a door. The mattresses are much thicker and there is a western style toilet on that end of the train. A very nice surprise, the rest are squat toilets. Take toilet paper with you everywhere in China, rarely will you find any. For the hearty, you can get a regular seat for very cheap, they are 3 people long facing each other, locals use this option and it is viable. Call me a lounge lizard, I recommend paying the extra for the hard sleeper; we paid around 550 RMB=88USD, it makes a much easier trip, regular seats are crowded, with little storage for baggage.

Food; on the train, there is a restaurant with hours posted that we found to be inaccurate, we were never really sure when it was open, and if they are closed they will simply turn you away. There is hot water available from public spickets in every car. You can buy instant noodles on the train, when there is someone at the counter, also a food cart comes by once in awhile. You can find beer in the restaurant car, Lhasa beer.  At the train station in Xining you can buy noodles, snacks, water etc, I recommend buying some noodles, snacks and drinking water (don’t forget to buy TP) as it can make for a long trip. The first train was delayed 3 hours, the second was an hour early.

This was a great chance to experience Chinese people, close quarters makes you interact, everyone we met was exceptionally nice and helpful with our car mates helping us stow bags and even carrying them off the train. They shared their snacks and fruit with us and ultimately we slept very hard with no worries about our luggage.

Do take motion sickness pills if you get car sick, air sick or any other kind of motion sickness, the train can sway back and forth enough to make some stomachs not to happy.

Yes, they actually pump oxygen into the train to help acclimatize people. More on this later.