Sino Story 7: Nanjing, Xuan Wu Lake

Samsung Electronics has provided the author of this article with the mentioned digital imaging device.

Just around the corner from Nanjing’s bustling Hunan Road is one of Nanjing’s most beautiful natural attractions the Xuan Wu Lake (Chinese: 玄武湖 Xuan Wu Hu). This large lake divides Nanjing’s Gulu district from the Nanjing Train Station, and also sits at the foot of Mt. Zhongshan. Although the has changed names many times throughout history, it was finally dubbed “Xuan Wu” due to legend of the black dragon that is said to live in the bottom of the lake.

ST550(TL225) │ 1/500s │ f/4.9 │ ISO 80 │ 4.9mm

ST550(TL225) │ 1/180s │ f/9.1 │ ISO 80 │ 4.9mm

ST550(TL225) │ 1/750s │ f/4.7 │ ISO 80 │ 8.3mm

ST550(TL225) │ 1/350s │ f/5.9 │ ISO 80 │ 22.5mm

ST550(TL225) │ 1/500s │ f/5.4 │ ISO 80 │ 18.3mm

Xuan Wu Lake features a lovely park and public space near the front gate (Xuan Wu Men), the Ji Ming Temple, a walking section of the Nanjing Wall, and five islands situated in the middle of the lake. Xuan Wu Lake is a must see tourist location in Jiang Su Province, but also serves as a particularly lovely recreation point for Nanjing locals.

ST550(TL225) │ 1/250s │ f/3.5 │ ISO 80 │ 4.9mm

ST550(TL225) │ 1/125s │ f/5.9 │ ISO 80 │ 22.5mm

ST550(TL225) │ 1/100s │ f/4.7 │ ISO 100 │ 8.3mm

ST550(TL225) │ 1/180s │ f/11.0 │ ISO 80 │ 13.7mm

ST550(TL225) │ 1/180s │ f/3.5 │ ISO 80 │ 4.9mm

John Rash / 叶摄

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Elctronics Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such. All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung ST550(TL225), which has been provided by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. In order to become an official SamsungImaging.net imageloger, please click here

Sino-Story #4: Window Garden

I come from a small city in America that offers homes with large lawns and personal gardening space. Large cities don’t usually provide such luxuries, yet it doesn’t mean urban-dwellers are excluded from the pleasures of home gardening. Indeed, the challenge of raising your own flowers and vegetables with limited space and conditions can be part of the fun of this sort of D.I.Y. project.

 
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[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/125sㅣf3.5 ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.9mm]

The first step is to decide what you would like to grow. I bought some dry beans and fresh peas at the local super market, with a plan to sprout and plant them in my own window garden. I prefer growing vegetables, because I like eating the fruits of my labor. Legumes are particularly easy to grow, as you can sprout them in your home with nothing more than water and paper towels. I also made a plan to keep yogurt containers for a few weeks before starting, so that I would have some small vessels for planting once the project began.

 
[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/20sㅣf3.5 ㅣISO 200ㅣ4.9mm]

 
[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/20sㅣf3.5 ㅣISO 200ㅣ4.9mm]

 
[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/45sㅣf3.5 ㅣISO 160ㅣ4.9mm]

 
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I kept the legumes wrapped in paper towels for a week, occasionally replenishing the water in the towels so as to create a moist environment for my new sprouts. Once things had started to grow, I purchased a small bag of soil (the only money spent on this project), and planted the sprouts into used yogurt containers filled with fresh soil. Finally, placing the containers in my window, it was only one week later that green sprouts began to poke their heads out of the dirt looking for warm sunlight.

 
[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/250sㅣf3.5 ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.9mm]

 
[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/250sㅣf4.7 ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.7mm]

 
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Come summer I should have plenty of fresh peas and beans growing just outside my kitchen window, as well as adding some beautiful green color to my view. The amount of work is very minimal, and knowing you can grow something yourself is a very satisfying feeling. I will update this post later in the year with some photos of the mature plants and perhaps some of the meals I prepare using my home-grown legumes!

 
[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/250sㅣf3.5 ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.9mm]

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such. All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung ST550(TL225), which has been provided by Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. In order to become an official SamsungImaging.net blogger, please click here

China Food: The Life of a Vegetarian in China

The food in China is one of the main tourist attractions, and key components to understanding Chinese culture.

[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/15sㅣf3.5 ㅣISO 240ㅣ4.9mm]

Eating in China you are likely encounter many new dishes and flavors you never imagined, especially if your idea is based upon Chinese cuisine from America or other western countries. Beijing vegetarian/vegan for nearly 15 years, I have become quite accustomed in navigating my way around menus and restaurants in America.

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Yet, eating in a foreign country is one of the splendid treasures of travel, but can also be a treacherous adventure. Since coming to China for professional outings last year, I learned quickly how important sharing a meal with others can be in Chinese culture.

[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/60sㅣf4.7 ㅣISO 3200ㅣ8.3mm]

In China relationships are born across the dinner plate, and those who break bread together may continue forward as life long friends, colleagues, or business partners.

[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/6sㅣf4.1 ㅣISO 400ㅣ6.5mm]

Not partaking in the meal is certainly awkward in most countries, however it can be perceived as down right criminal in China. The Chinese diet is hardly deficient of all-vegetable or mostly-vegetable options.

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In fact, many dishes are mostly vegetable with a small amount of meat added for flavor. I’ve found being in China offers many delicious options for vegetarians, and the lack of cheese, mayo, and dairy products in Chinese cooking makes ordering a meal even less problematic than in America.

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such. All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung ST550(TL225), which has been provided by Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. In order to become an official SamsungImaging.net blogger, please click here

Sino-Story #2: Spring in Nanjing.

Samsung Digital Imaging has provided the author of this article with the mentioned digital imaging device.

Spring arrived in Nanjing last week. Temperatures soared to the mid 20’s (centigrade) and people began peeling away layers of clothing that had been serving as protection from harsh winter winds.

[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/500sㅣf4.4 ㅣISO 80ㅣ13.7mm]

Chinese buildings are usually only heated in rooms where you sleep or spend most of your day, so people are accustomed to wearing coats indoors, and drinking hot water as a means of keeping their bodies warm while working. Of course newer buildings may have central heating, but my classrooms and apartments do not. Instead wall mounted or stand alone “air conditioning” units (“kong tiao” in Chinese) are used to circulate warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer.

[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/125sㅣf5.4 ㅣISO 80ㅣ18.7mm]

Once the sun starts to heat the air outside the apartment buildings, trees, and railways all transform into venues for hanging freshly laundered clothing, and airing blankets and mattresses that have been indoors throughout the winter. In fact, the colors of the fabric blowing in the wind look quite festive, even if it is an ordinary part of Chinese life.

[Samsung ST550(TL225) 1/500sㅣf3.5 ㅣISO 80ㅣ4.9mm]

All photos, above, may not otherwise be reproduced, distributed, cropped, re sized, or otherwise altered without the written permission of the contributor. All photos represent the sole opinion of their individual authors and contributors and don’t express the opinion of Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd., Samsungimaging.net or the opinion of any affiliates unless specifically marked as such. All photos, above, have been shot with the Samsung ST550(TL225), which has been provided by Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. In order to become an official SamsungImaging.net blogger, please click here