Images shot with the vintage F.Zuiko 38mm f1.8
Behind bars.
Often taken to mean being in prison. Which is something I’ve never experienced and hope I never do.
I guess you don’t have to be incarcerated to be behind bars though.
Caged birds, for example.
Although that is kind of like being in prison for them, I suppose. Even though they’ve done nothing wrong.
They’re not an uncommon sight in Shanghai. Especially where the older, local folk live.
That opening picture of them isn’t technically brilliant. Not my favourite. But it gave me the idea to look for other examples of being behind bars in Shanghai.
So, thanks, birds.
Creepy dolls in a window.
Not strictly behind bars.
Until you use the reflection of the gate across the road.
Then you can include them in your article.
While I am fond of Shanghai, I can’t help thinking it’ll be a lot better once it’s finished.
I joke, of course. I don’t really imagine the construction will ever end.
Still, it creates jobs. Which I think is one reason it’s perennial.
Scaffolding bars. Man behind them.
It takes its rightful place in this article.
Shanghai does have a lot of parks.
Really, a lot.
Nice places to get away from the traffic (more on that later).
Still, even in the open green space of a park in one of the world’s biggest cities, you can find the bars you need for your photo set.
The older folk love the parks.
Absolutely love them.
Always hanging around there.
Playing their games and generally doing what old Chinese people do.
I’m taking the horizontal beams on that bench as bars here, by the way.
Ah yeah.
About that traffic.
Draw your own behind bars / lots of cars metaphors from this photo.
The number of cars in Shanghai is unreal, which means rules being brought in to help ease the traffic for a privileged few.
One example – you can’t use the overpasses in rush hour without a Shanghai licence plate on your car.
And there are a limited number of Shanghai license plates available every year.
They get auctioned off – for more than I’ve ever paid for a car.
I prefer the subway.
Ah yeah.
About that subway.
Human traffic.
Again, the rush hours are ridiculous at certain stations.
This picture was taken at People’s Square – at a quiet part of the day.
Slow shutter speed to blur the people behind the bars / going where they’re going etc.
Again, the metaphor is yours to make and take.
As is the encouragement for you to go out and find a theme of your own, shoot a set of images, and tell us about it in the comments below.
… p.s. if you enjoyed this post on being behind bars in Shanghai and think others will too, why not share or pin it?
