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Pictorial Depiction

DSC00521L (Camera: Sony A55 @ f5.6, 1/80s ISO400)

"Hua yi", or pictorial depiction, is a concept in photography bred in China between the 1920s and 1930s. Briefly put, it is about how to reproduce a scene in the final image stylistically reminiscent of a Chinese ink painting. It is generally held that Chinese ink painting combines a number of artistic elements including Chinese calligraphy, literature, painting and sealing (the study and use of a Chinese seal).  That is to say, the photographers implementing this concept should know some, if not all, of these elements.  Previously we have introduced a Hong Kong photographer renowned for extending the scope of and excelled in "hua yi" photographic works.

The shot today was made possible by eroding the colour of the final image of the bamboos against a pale yellowish wall.  Added on it was a Chinese couplet in calligraphy saying, roughly, Among the raindrops on bamboos and winds through the pines comes the string music; Through the tea trees in mist and the moon hid behind the parasols wafts the reading sounds.


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