2012! Bang! That sounds like the future! “Twenty-twelve.” New years resolution? Get on with my blog. So, with no further wait: Every so often I use my photography / cinematography skills to help out the school. Last year this involved making some photos for use on a flier, and also making some testimonial videos that other potential teachers could check out. I’m quite happy with the results, it turns out my classrooms can be converted to makeshift studios quite easily…

So, back in March it was “Spring Festival” or as it’s more commonly known in the west; “Chinese New Year.” It is no doubt the biggest and most important holiday on the Chinese calendar, a time of year when everyone heads home to undertake several traditions and be with the family they probably haven’t seen all year. It’s like Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving and your birthday all rolled into one. Long time readers will remember this from last year. Those with rusty memories can check out last years blog post; here. But, let’s get on with this year’s…

Couple portrait photography is pretty big in China. Usually after getting engaged, after getting married and after having a baby, portrait photos are taken. Anyway, me and B decided it was time to get our post-engagement shots done. Most people would head to a studio and throw down some money, but… I had lots of ideas, and I had the help of my good friend Winfred, we headed to the newly finished Chao Yang Park in Weinan and came away with these photos…

So, one of our (since departed) FTs Jim decided to buy a motorbike. I figured it had been a while since I took photos of a shiny new vehicle, so why not take some photos for him. We went up to the reservoir to the south of the city and took along some lights (and people) to help out. The reason I originally got into photography was for shooting vehicles (then cars) so it was interesting to go back to my roots so to speak. Anyway, I know you came for the pics, so here they are…

  
Following on from Part 1 and Part 2, here’s Part 3 of my holiday to Harbin. This final installment covers a visit to the Sofia Cathedral as well as the snow sculpture park. Enjoy!

Continuing on from Part 1, this post covers the trip to the Harbin Ice and Snow world. This is the place where the main bulk of the ice sculptures and activities were to be found. We even got to do some skiing, which I hadn’t done in about 10 years! There were some great buildings and sculptures made from ice. Let’s dive right in…

  
For a long time I’ve wanted to head to Harbin, especially in January for their annual winter festival. But, China is big. I live in pretty much the middle of China. Which, like when I lived in the middle of England is great – you’re equidistant from anywhere. Very convenient. But; I’ll say again; China is BIG. From Weinan to Harbin is 1190 miles as the crow (or Airbus) flies. In perspective, that’s from Stafford to Glasgow FIVE times. So, I had a few spare days and decided this year I’d go check it out. B was busy with work and couldn’t get out of it, so I asked Julian if he wanted to go. Plane tickets were a little pricey (around £220 return) but we thought “what the hell?” and went for it. Here are pics from the first few days…

Those who’ve been following this blog for a while know that me covering weddings is a fairly regular thing. When you have a friends group whose age is around 21-25; it’s just what happens. Anyway, These photos are actually from back in September; I almost forgot I had them. One of the Aston CTs who I’ve known for a long time; Maggie – married her high-school sweetheart. Enjoy the pics!

So, Beryl only has one photo from her childhood. In fact, I think her next photo after this one was when she was about 8 years old. So, needless to say, this photo is highly cherished by her. Anyway, it may be cherished; but it’s seen better days (despite being kept in cellophane.) Anyway, for her Chinese birthday (her ‘Western’ birthday was last week…why two birthdays…? It’s confusing…don’t ask. Maybe I’ll explain another day!) But yes; for her birthday, I decided to restore and re-colour the photo for her…

Every year Aston holds an Annual Managers’ Conference (AMC) and, after taking the reigns of manager at Weinan, this year it was my turn to head to the meeting. This year it was hosted in the city of Dalian (大连) in China’s Liaoning province (in the North-East, see this map: click.) There’s not much time to explore the city, as most of the time is spent in meetings, but I managed to grab some snaps of the city…