Leo Coleman
Leo Coleman, photographer.
Presenting the brilliant and dazzling Chaoyang Theatre acrobatics show in Beijing. This was one of my biggest opportunities in the history of professional photography.
I am very thankful for the Chinese staff that let me catch the spirit of this show through the favorite medium of all time, photographs!
The show was full of exitement and acrobatic feats that blew my mind as well as my camera. Check out my gallery to find out more about this amazing theatre performance!!
“Take a photo and forget the rest.”
Life is full of contradictions, especially when it comes to photography. Often I say things, but I mean another thing. Or perhaps, I later learn that I was wrong. This stuff happens all the time in the world, and it's good that it does. Despite the fact that so many of us are trying to hold on to what we believe in, so desperately that we are unable to see the good things around us. For me, photography is the kind of observation that makes me take a little distance from things.. not too far, not too close.. just the right distance is needed to enjoy something such as Beijing Opera! My latest trip to Beijing (I keep going back, I know, I love it!), gave me an opportunity to reflect. You see, I was not interested in Opera at all.. especially the western kind. And despite my mind telling me not to go, I did and went to see a show I knew I was going to hate. But boy was a I wrong, and I am very happy that I got Huguang Guild Hall tickets from the front row, (with a discounted price of course, China style..).
It's really the strangest thing, because I went to see Huguang thinking I would take just some funny bad pictures.. afterall, you need training as much as you can as a photographer. Not just from the same stuff, but things that you are not familiar with. And I was so surpriced at the amazing and stunning performance they had put together. This is a rare treat indeed, right in the Xicheng District of Beijing. Known as "Peking Opera", little did I know tha tthe show was exiting and funny.. and best of all witty as well as elegant. I could hardly keep up with my camera, because of the exitement and beauty and all the other millions of senses that were awaken that night. Hardly could I even sleep afterwards.
It really made me remember a lot about taking pictures, why I am doing it and how I want to do it. One really needs these waking up moments in life. And Beijing has provided that to me a few times already in a way that cannot be measured in value. It makes me really speechless sometimes, but that's when the camera is at best. I highly recommend the Huguang Guild Hall show, don't miss it if you are in town! Till next time.
Your buddy, Leo Coleman.