Went up to Taipei and Keelung this week Walked all over. Brought back some pics. Enjoy.
Taipei is quiet in the early morning.
The Lotus Building. One of my favorite buildings in the city. Although you can't tell from the pic, those pillars are covered with tile. Built in the heyday of Urinthian architecture.
Policemen control traffic on a busy morning.
When I get my Nikon D80, I'm going to do a coffee table book about Taipei's alleys.
Pedal to the metal.
Wen Chang Furniture Street.
Marketing dried persimmons
Tuning the piano at the Howard Plaza Hotel
Getting a ticket
Artland Book Shop, on Ren Ai Rd next to the high-walled white building where the plainclothesmen standing out front will tell you that the Vice President doesn't reside.
The Palace, one of the island's swankest addresses.
What were they protesting?
Apparently, the NCC.
A wall.....
...where landscape scenes and sayings alternate.
Taking scooters that parked in the handicapped scooter spot.
Fat birds.
This part of Taipei, the older section south of the train station, has numerous streets devoted to single retailing industries. Here you will find both the camera area and the section that sells suits.
Camera street, across from the main post office.
The old north gate.
When I came to Taipei, this was a decrepit area full of old buildings...
I photo'd them....
..and they got me.
I can never get over the sheer volume of traffic in Taipei.
The glizty shopping area southwest of the train station.
You know a place is rich when it has a whole store devoted solely to candied apples.
What was he shooting?
I had started in the Hsinyi district and walked across town to the train station, then as dusk approached I walked back across Taipei to meet Prince Roy and Poagao.
Best Love Hotel: you should always strive to be the best at whatever you are...
Shops along Chunghsiao E. Rd.
Rush hour traffic...
A popular Taipei eatery.
Alas, Taste of Harbin was closed, so we ate at the Thai-Myanmar place down the road from Capones.
Then we walked over to the Sun Yat-sen Memorial. The memorial is currently hosting an exhibition of religious art.
From there I went out to the port of Keelung.
Here's a shot up the road to the tunnels leading to the highway out of Keelung.
Ships in port
Keelung's one night market is always hoppin'....
...but this nightlife area didn't seem to be.
Entering the night market.
Delicious food from the subcontinent. Warning: some adjustment to local taste buds.
It's a good thing waiting cars don't block the lane, eh?
Night in the music pub.
Two fixtures of every bar in the world: the frazzled, omnicompetent bartender, and the guy passed out at the bar.
Have a good weekend!
[Taiwan]
Forget that Nikon... this article liked the Pentax... if you shoot in RAW mode that is... http://anandtech.com/digitalcameras/showdoc.aspx?i=2896&p=1
ReplyDeleteTaipei 101 - Taiwan's middle finger to China :)
ReplyDeleteMichael, what lens are you using on those photo?
-CSU Student
CSU --
ReplyDeleteI'm using the lens that came with the Olympus C-770. it's a 10X zoom, 35mm-435mm SLR equivalent. It has a super zoom function out to 14X (535mm) but I didn't use it any of the shots. The lens is not image stabilized, so sometimes I have trouble with shake.
Michael
I miss Taiwan so much it hurts.
ReplyDelete(Repeat like mantra)
To 1st post, that guide is useless, if you read the feedback on that guide. It is poorly written, beside Anandtech is really a computr hardware guide website :)
ReplyDeleteMichael, can you just say the zoom lense focal length?
Keng
I've always said we need more Indians over here to spice up the night markets. I think they'd do a roaring trade.
ReplyDeleteMan, I'd kill for an onion bhaji right now.
Michael, I think it is time you produced a "Taiwan photo book". Your pictures are simply stunning,quirky and so nostalgic. Tell me, when you take pics of people do they object, or are they just accepting?
ReplyDeleteKind regards, geoff in oz
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThe focal length? The lens goes to 435 mm, but for specific shots I set it differently.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Graeme! I will certainly think about it.
Michael
Just a couple of tips, for next time you are in Taipei or Keelung and want to photograph something old and interesting:
ReplyDeleteTaipei city (actually the Cultural Affiars Bureau) has finally gotten around to beginnng a restoration of the original HQ of Taiwan Railway (built around 1900), which is kitty-corner from the old main post office and the old north gate (two blocks west of the main station). Some of the recent restoration projects (like the BoPiLiao neighborhood in the WanHua district) are interesting, but I also think it's interesting to get a look at what's there BEFORE the restoration. I have a few images up on a flickr.com site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21506490@N00/360672656/
As you certainly know, Keelung has a number of forts in the high places above the surrounding harbors. There's one that I think is especially interesting. It's a few kilometers from the city, toward the northwest, I believe. Follow the road along the harbor out of town, past the graveyard for the French sailors, and then turn right (uphill) on Er Shin road. You then pass a large high school (named Er Shin) on the left. The road is steep and winds up to the crest of the mountain, and then you can see down to another small harbor. There's a Qing-era fort there, with latrines and other buildings intact. There's some fairly-elaborate stonework, where the large cannons were originally mounted. Have you seen that one? There is no signage in English, as if they would never expect non-locals to find their way up there.
If I can find some of my photos, perhaps I will post some to the above site.
--Scott
I would be interested to know how people react to you when you want to take their picture too.
ReplyDeleteKeng
Most people are pretty cool, some even invite me to take their picture. But most are not aware.
ReplyDeleteScott, I have a large collection of photos of those keelung forts, which I hope to get up soon.
Michael
Michael, do you think it's because you are foreigner? I wonder what reaction I will get this year when I go back.
ReplyDeleteKeng
Yes, I exploit my position as a foreigner when I take pictures. I think a lot of the acceptance is that. For example, I've photo'ed entire shops while the management looked on. Think they'd let a local do that?
ReplyDeleteMichael
I don't think they will Michael, I hope I will look foreign enough lol
ReplyDeleteKeng
Go for the D80 and get the 200mm VR lens. Or better yet, toss caution to the wind and get the D200. I'm still biding my time. The Sony H5 is coming down in price drastically. Think Feb-March will see new releases in the H line with the sales I've seen. I'm hoping they'll upgrade the H line to shoot in RAW format so am hanging on for just a bit longer. That reminds me, I've been talking about upgrading my gear since I lived in TAIWAN!!!! Eeeks.
ReplyDeleteI see that guy on the interesting bike go by ("Petal to the metal" pic mornings on my way to work (around 8:45 or so on Tunhua N. Road near the stadium). He just zooms right along with the traffic, which seems amazing as the bike does not seem to maneuver very well.
ReplyDelete