Future: Weekly Photo Challenge
“Photographs open doors into the past but they also allow a look into the future.”
Sally Mann
In Jen’s Future challenge this week she quotes Peter Drucker, who said “The best way to predict the future is to create it“. During our visit to China, our experience in Shanghai made me feel as if the Chinese had done exactly that. In my opening capture above, some young Chinese tourists are photographing a family member or good friend. I found myself wondering why in heaven’s name they would be shooting with their backs to the glorious future-world behind them, which had been incredibly embellished by a glorious wall of flowers.
“Your future is only as bright as your mind is open.”
Rich Wilkins
Making our visit even more special, we enjoyed meeting fellow blogger Canadian Travel Bug and her husband. They had been living in Shanghai for several years as ex-pats and were happy to join us for a stroll along Shanghai’s famous Bund. The evening sky at dusk added a touch of gold as we watched day turn to evening across the Yangtze River. We’d heard horror stories about Shanghai’s air pollution problem but were gifted with beautiful clear skies for our entire stay.
“A photograph is a time capsule that extends from the past to the future.”
“Photographs allow us to see people before their future weighed them down.”
Kate Morton
On the opposite side of the city, I found myself wondering what this young couple was thinking as they stared across the beautifully lit bridge. Were they planning a future together, thinking about the bridges they would might be crossing together as their lives unfold?
“The future belongs, not to those who have the most, but to those who do the most with what they have.”
Eugene P. Odum
Today, Shanghai is the most populated city in the world. Driving into the city one can see the massive amount of building being done to house the growing number of residents. The capture above helps to explain why some joke that China’s national bird is the crane 😃. Clearly, China is focused on world-leadership as they face the future. Having experienced Shanghai, I have no doubt they will accomplish their goals.
well i will tell you what the “young couple was thinking as they stared across the beautifully lit bridge” – he said “that shot of Blue Curacao”was not worth ten dollars” and she said, “I know….”
just kidding…
but the colors in the photos were electric Tina – so nice – and the blue bridge reminded me of that Blue Curacao for some reason
Smashing captures!
Spectacular night shots Tina! The one with the couple is a lovely moment captured against a wonderful backdrop 🙂
Your Nightfall in Shanghai is pure magic. Can’t wait to see how you capture Vancouver 🙂
It looks like a city inhabited by all the Marvel super heroes Tina ! Night photography that really IS exciting 🙂
Poppy, that is a PERFECT description of the ctiy – thanks for that!!!
Such beautiful views!! It is quite a contrast having the flowers against such a very future orientated city.
Thanks Janaline. we were lucky to catch the flowers which were a special exhibition, as were the fireworks.
These are great images for the challenge. Looks like a great place to visit and take in the sites
It is indeed Nora, thanks! The issue is the air quality. We were very fortunate with our timing and the city was at its best.
Nightfall Shanghai is my favourite shot, Tina. What a beauty! 🙂
Many thanks Jo. Night photography has its own challenges but when it works it really works!
Beautiful pictures. You caught the night sky perfectly. Your photos speak to the future.
Thanks very much Little voice!
Amazing set of photos-just brilliant 🙂
Thanks so much Elle, much appreciated!
Another fabulous post by you Tina. When I saw the photo challenge was Future – I was singularly uninspired by it and decided to give it a miss. The gruelling A to Z Schedule was also partly responsible. I am however bowled over by your fabulous images and honestly, this is the first time photos of Shanghai have actually made me want to visit. Thank you.
My pleasure Kalpanaa – it’s a gloriously beautiful place …. as long as the air is cooperating! You have to get lucky and we did.
China has grabbed the opportunities with both hands and it is certainly powering into the future. Great quotes to go with the photos.
Indeed they have – we will all watch how far they go from here with interest. Thanks PP
Definitely Patti – it’s an incredible country with some of everything and dichotomy at every turn. I’m so glad I got to see it before everything ancient is gone!!
Beautiful shots Tina…don’t think i could live there though, little too crowded for me. 🙂
Thanks Andy – agree wholeheartedly. A great place to visit but wouldn’t live there on a bet!!
Lovely views of the big city Tina. I was surprised to see your opening quote because Sally Mann is from here in Virginia, where I live, and of course, has become very famous for her innovative approach to photography.
How cool Dor – have you ever heard Sally speak? She’s teriffic!!
No, but I saw her in a PBS documentary. Also took a tour of her garden. 🙂
Wow! The skyline of Shanghai is impressive and truly defines futuristic architecture. Of course, your photography brings out the best in the scenery.
Thanks John! It’s a truly amazing place. Wouldn’t want to live there but sure enjoyed the visit.
Beautiful shots of the Shanghai skyline, Tina. I love the night shot – that one looks like a long exposure? Such diversity in your photography. Absolutely love the one of the couple, leaning together as one. They are probably admiring the views just like you…but for a second you decided to take a sneaky snap of them 😀
Love the first quote by Sally Mann. So true photographs document the past, but looking at photos we also get to see how far we’ve come and the patterns we see in images, and hence predict the future and what’s to come. Brilliant, insightful and thoughtful post as usual 🙂
Thanks so much for the lovely compliment Mabel. Glad you commented on the night shot – it was a challenge but I was happy with the result. Very tough to get shots there with no people in them!!!
Shanghai is indeed an exciting city, but I’d rather see what’s left of my future in a cottage in a forest than in the urban jungle of a megalopolis
I am with you 100% on that one!! Loved the visit, happy to get home to my quiet little life!!
Great photos. your photos bring the city to life for a person who’s never experienced the city. Thank you. Have a wonderful week.
Many thanks Clay – and a wonderful week to you too!!
Marvelous! I always love your photos and the perceptive pairing with the right-on quotes.
Thanks so much Patti; glad you enjoyed!
Those buildings look like you took a paint brush to them… You always have a little surprise tucked away for us!
🙂 Thanks Linda – it’s quite the fantastic place. Actually DOES look like it’s a painting – or something from the Wizard of Oz!
I am mesmerized by these photos…what a beautiful place ….it doesn’t look real….thank u for taking me there!!! 😜
Unreal in person too April! Glad you enjoyed these!
Well done, beautifully captured and realised – but a world not for me. I hope the future will not look like this. And in my opinion, the Chinese are taking over far too much of the world today.
Hi Leya, I agree that it’s not a world for me either. A fascinating visit, especially when you consider how new it is and how quickly it’s been built. But I’m a bit more old fashioned myself and prefer quiet and simple. But a fun visit to another world entirely!
I totally agree with you.
🙂 Fantastic pictures, some look almost unreal.
Have a very HAPPY Sunday 🙂
Thanks HF, and a great week to you too!
Fantastic images for the challenge, Tina. Love the quotes too. I laughed about the crane being China’s national bird. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia – I laughed at that too!!
I’ve not been to Shanghai but have heard more than once that it is a futuristically designed city. Everything new & modern is in. And it’s only recently there are emergent acknowledgements that the old ways have to be preserved.
That’s true WC, and the dichotomy between the sparkling new city and the nearby ancient buildings is quite amazing. A fascinating place indeed.
Made me feel nostalgic to see these …. Lived there for 18 months …
Thanks Susi – I found it fascinating altho my blogging friend told me the smog is so bad now she really had to move. Sad. It’s so shiny new and beautiful.
Some great images – love Shanghai Nightfall. But the whole builds a picture of a cityscape I would prefer not to be part of…as Janet commented
Yes, there is definitely a downside Sue, but oh my what a fantastic place to visit!
😀
The photos look like something from a sci-fi movie, even the last one, although the two films would be about very different things! I’m so thankful not to have to live in one of the buildings in the last photo. My soul feels a bit destroyed just by viewing them. 😦
janet
Hmmm…..not sure they are soulless but I know what you mean. They’re much more fantastic just to look at versus live in or near I’m sure!
Very cool shots, Tina. The highly stylized post on them fits the feel of the cityscape well. What a place!
Thanks Jane, truly an amazing place. We got very lucky with the clear air.
It sure has changed since we were there in 2000! Shanghai was a wonderful experience.
Each has its own appeal. Well done.
Thanks Sally!
Your skills with your camera, your artistry with words and your keen sense of perspective are a powerful combination.
I think you’ve actually made me blush Elliott. Thanks very much for you kind compliment! Always good to hear from you.
Totally futuristic cityscape, and as always you have captured it perfectly.
Thanks Jude – it’s an amazing place!
Yes..sort of like Disney. I agree about all those cranes..they were everywhere.
Or the Wizard of Oz LOL! Thanks Sharon – I read somewhere that China currently has 75% of all of the worlds cranes at work across the country. Amazing.
Great photos Tina 🙂
Thanks Andy, glad you enjoyed.
Hi Tina. Your subject for this week’s post is perfect and your photos are marvelous, as always. The change in the China over the past few decades is astounding. Certainly there has been a cultural explosion as well. I keep thinking of the Chinese students I taught in the 1980’s before the capitalist “boom” and the ones I know today. What a dramatic change in lifestyles, culture, wealth.