China

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Worldwide | Saturday, October 2, 2010 | 5 photos

CHINA

I have been interested in photography for many years, studying in England since the age of twelve and now at the Art Institute in Houston.

It was through the Art Institute that I had the privilege of making a trip to China, a trip that I found invaluable on so many levels.

The contrast between the wealth of a culture so readily available throughout China versus what one will undoubtedly witness in the streets of, for example, Shanghai, immediately evidences the dichotomy of Chinese life as evidenced by the picture of the beggar taken but a few steps from a McDonalds.

A Great Wall of protection cannot defy poverty, nor can a mere statue bring forth a smile from a child observing a parent brought down by the inability to conquer the challenges of daily life encompassed in pictures two, three, four and five.

Upon my return to Houston and with the time to review all that I had been privileged to observe, I slowly came to the realization that regardless of how little these people might have had by Western standards, they were in possession of one factor that we in the West are lacking: Family. The strings were obviously apparent as families strove to work, play and live together, their love precious and of far more value than any possessions they were lacking or were striving to possess.

I feel privileged to have been able to take this journey with my school and feel that I learned from this experience, not only from the photo/journalistic standpoint but, of equal importance, I learned the inner workings of a different people, I experienced the richness of an alternate culture and these lessons I feel are invaluable and make me a desirable candidate to continue my journey to India.