I love lighting challenges. I learn from them, and perhaps others can as well.
While walking through this busy Beijing shopping district just after dawn, I noticed an intense reflection of sunlight on the glossy paving stones that lined the curb. Within that reflection was the shadow of a man and his pushcart. I wanted to abstract the man and cart, hold as much detail in the reflection as I could, and still give some context for the busy street around him. I exposed with a spot meter on the reflected sun. The reflection was so intense I knew that I would sacrifice some detail in the street texture. I made this image at 1/400th of second at ISO 80 with the lens closed down as far as it would go. I could have darkened it more with a faster shutter speed, but I would have risked losing background context. Exposure control is a balancing act – there are no right or wrongs here, only an objective to reach. I wanted to hold background detail in the street and I did. The image works for me because it is full of life and vitality, yet also quite abstract and hauntingly beautiful. A bit of burned out street is a small price to pay. I am not after technical perfection in my pictures. I am only concerned with expression.