Workers On Yellow Mountain, China
Young woman worker on Yellow Mountain, China signals ‘V’ for victory.
Yellow Mountain offers amazing opportunities for landscape photography. But fun portrait photos also await you.
I know this from experience. My main interest during my time on Yellow Mountain was landscape photography and the experience was sublime.
It’s true to say that I spent three of the hardest and most creatively rewarding days of my life photographing along those steep mountain trails.
However, I also made a few portraits and candid people based images, mostly of workers, as I journeyed across Yellow Mountain.
Huangshan Meaning
In the Chinese language huang means yellow, an auspicious color in China, while shan is the Chinese word for mountain.
Thus Huangshan translates as Yellow Mountain.
Why Visit Huangshan in Winter?
In many ways visiting Huangshan in winter was a good move.
Far less visitors to this popular site during winter provided me with great access to the hotels, narrow paths and scenic locations on top of the mountain.
The last thing I’d want would be trying to set up my tripod on steep, crowded mountain trails.
What’s more, after a long, tough day trekking up and down those steep mountain paths, it’s nice to return to a quiet hotel.
Two girls pose for a photo with 'V for Victory' on Huangshan.
Candid Portraits On Yellow Mountain
The first two images in this post feature some of the girls who work as receptionists, cleaners and the like at one of the hotels on Yellow Mountain.
Actually it was a really straightforward process to photograph the girls.
As we passed each other on a pathway I stopped and gestured with my camera that I'd like to make a photograph of them.
After the initial surprise the girls seemed happy to have been asked. A few seconds later I was on my way with a smile and a few photos.
I thought it would be interesting to let the girls pose for the photos in the way they wanted.
The results provide an interesting cultural record of the way these young Chinese women respond to the camera and the process of being photographed.
I love making portrait photos and have written extensively on the subject.
But candid portraits are unique and there are several ways by which you can go about creating them. It’s also important to consider why you want to create candid portraits.
About To Travel?
Unlike in western countries, where the 'V' sign stands for peace, throughout Asia 'V' is often used to signify victory.
But there's nothing particularly sinister about it. In this case victory likely means, "I'm here, I made it and I'm happy to have done so".
I certainly don’t have a problem with that. In fact I think it’s great.
A porter, carrying supplies up a steep stairway, on Yellow Mountain, China.
Meeting Porters On Yellow Mountain
The final photo features one of numerous porters who carry considerable weight over their shoulders along the steep, narrow and, at this time of year, icy pathways.
There are no roads over the mountain, except for the narrow pathways and steps carved into the rock. That in itself is a major achievement which really can’t be appreciated until you hike the trail yourself.
But it’s the porters who are responsible for transporting the food, drinks and other so-called necessities tourists and workers require on Yellow Mountain.
I can tell you it was a sobering and quite profound experience to meet these hard working men. Those meetings are amongst my most vivid memories of my time on Yellow Mountain.
Yellow Mountain | The Trip Of A Lifetime
It’s true to say I found the going extremely tough along some sections of the trail.
The weather closed in on a couple occasions, but I was dressed for cold weather and careful to stay on the trail.
It was exciting and I knew I’d be able to walk my way out soon enough.
The hardest part of the trek was the knowledge that, with every downward leg of the journey, you knew an uphill section awaited.
After my three days hiking across Yellow Mountain I’d lost several kilograms and my legs were like steel.
Sadly, it wasn’t long before lard and jelly returned.
As I stayed in three hotels over as many nights, I had to carry a loaded pack with clothes, camera gear (including tripod) and other travel necessities.
It was a hard slog, but it only takes a momentary meeting on a high, cold and ice-laden path with one of the porters on Yellow Mountain to put things into perspective.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I admire their strength and endurance. Those guys were as tough as nails. And I think that’s true for their minds as much as their bodies.
My track across Yellow Mountain was a profound and humbling experience. Filled with great beauty and reminders of the Human Condition it’s an experience I'II never forget it and I hope to return again, one day soon.
