Michael

An America experiencing mid-life in The Middle Kingdom, living in, working for and learning about China. I agreed to teach English to the masses to get here. I also take pictures.

Robert Heinecken once said, “Many pictures turn out to be limp translations of the known world instead of vital objects which create an intrinsic world of their own. There is a vast difference between taking a picture and making a photograph.”

I am trying to learn how to make photographs.

All the photographs featured in this blog are copyright protected and can not be reproduced or used in any way without my expressed consent.

I began this blog as a way for my two teenage children to follow along as I experience living and working in China.  They still do that (I think), but the blog continues to evolve.



22 Responses to “Michael”

  1. Hello big brother:
    I am in awe of these photos. I am so very proud of you. Your “eye” and what you see when the rest of us would have just walked past it is unbelievable. Your lighting and even the descriptions are all so excellent. Life continues here in the mundane although as I was driving into work today past the horse farms and the mist on the bluegrass I tried to imagine how you would capture it. By the way, the wet hen photo is hilarious. Talk to you soon. I love you,
    Debbie

    Deborah Anderson said this on September 8, 2008 at 9:09 pm | Reply

  2. I know the picture above!!! 🙂 This is in Guilin, right? Or correct me please if I’m wrong.

    Baoru said this on December 7, 2008 at 5:13 pm | Reply

  3. You are correct! The corner there near the river and the Sun & Moon Pagodas.

    Expatriate Games said this on December 7, 2008 at 6:46 pm | Reply

  4. You’re really a man with a purpose there in China, and I admire you. 🙂

    Baoru said this on December 29, 2008 at 6:18 pm | Reply

  5. Beautiful work…

    lon said this on April 18, 2009 at 7:05 pm | Reply

  6. I just got back from China and the children there always capture my heart. I always put “China’s Future” when I use them in my writings. I am trying to learn how to take photographs too. Thank you for telling me how to express that. I would like to not take pictures anymore. I got some really great shots with my Nikon D70s but they look nothing like yours. Will you tell me what kind of camera and lens that you use? Longing to take better photographs…

    Staci G said this on June 30, 2009 at 2:36 am | Reply

  7. Hello!!
    🙂

    Daddy Woofer said this on July 3, 2009 at 7:12 am | Reply

  8. Wonderful thoughts and photos. Your view point of China is inspiring and fascinating. I’m sure that your children really appreciate it, and am glad I am able to as well.

    I started my blog about living in Asia (Chiang Mai, Thailand then Shanghai) so that my parents and family didn’t have to worry so much, and I think it’s working. Much like yours, it is growing into an exploration of photography and culture that is much more fascinating when you look at it with critical eyes.

    Jamie said this on July 7, 2009 at 12:38 pm | Reply

  9. Hello, Michael I too am a middle aged man who is planning to come to Liuzhou. Sorry to say I am not a photographer you’ve cornered that talent from what I have seen….excellent. I am asking for your help however as to the best way to travel from Chicago to Liuzhou with as little jet lag as possible. I am thankful I happened upon your blog and would appreciate any help you may be able to offer.

    David said this on August 9, 2009 at 2:28 am | Reply

  10. Nice pictures Michael. i hope we can see you this year in China the F1 races!

    Khalid Al-Kuwari
    Head – F1 Qatar Team

    Anonymous said this on August 15, 2009 at 4:56 am | Reply

  11. I studied abroad in Shanghai for half a semester and I got the chance to travel to a lot of places throughout China. Your entire blogs makes me very nostalgic but I look forward to a new post every time. I guess it’s a little escape for me from the daily grind of my 9-7.

    Monica said this on August 22, 2009 at 8:32 am | Reply

  12. Michael, as a warm, kindred spirit is felt within, you touch upon the child in all of us. The excitement, the wonder and beauty of life itself. I wish you more success and that which filles your compassion and love of life.

    Yvonne said this on September 6, 2009 at 10:12 am | Reply

  13. Hi Michael,
    You have an interesting blog and great picture to go with it. If you don’t mind, I will link your blog to mine.

    NSuwarno said this on November 12, 2009 at 7:05 pm | Reply

  14. Hi Mikie, I’m glad you’re back on line. Life in Bali is good, raining now but always warm.

    Peace, Jonathan 🙂

    Jonathan R said this on February 7, 2010 at 12:53 am | Reply

  15. Hey Michael, great blog you have here, nice pictures. I especially liked the 24 hour CNY concept, but that must have been exhausting! I’ve been to Liuzhou once, really good experience.

    jesse said this on February 22, 2010 at 11:39 pm | Reply

  16. Hello Michael, I really like your blog and the pictures are amazing. I wish I’d seen it earlier and asked you to take photos of my wedding procession- it was right outside your new flat a couple of weeks ago- you may have heard it! From your ‘east side entry’ I think you have moved in next door to my in-laws.

    Laura Yu said this on March 8, 2010 at 1:29 am | Reply

  17. Hi Michael, I just found your blog and have subscribed to your RSS feed. Your photography is fantastic.
    My daughter was born in Beiliu, not far from you, and we hope one day to bring her back to visit.
    I look forward to following your story.

    Jo said this on March 8, 2010 at 5:35 pm | Reply

  18. I discovered your blog by accident and am glad that I did. I especially appreciate your photos of Liuzhou. I recently befriended a couple of students in Liuzhou via a chat site and we now video chat frequently. I am looking forward to one day visiting. I will certainly bookmark your blog.

    Len Cage said this on August 28, 2010 at 9:53 am | Reply

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