Hi List Sunday evening musings.
Two weeks ago, last Saturday I was walking down the Beijing Road in Shanghai as one does on my only day off in a three week shoot in China. In that assault upon ones senses of crowds, smells, noise and colour, I had a definite feeling that this was where the future was already happening. I had come across 'widget city' - a place with a myriad of small shops selling every conceivable bolt, nut, tube, electrical what's it to an electronic 'oojimaflip', in every shape and size that you could want to build your own car, aeroplane, ocean going liner, spaceship or anything else you care to mention. I realised then, that this was the evidence why British industry had disappeared to the Orient. Yes, of course one knew of cheaper labour markets and space to expand etc., that is why my clients were there too. I was just following where the business was. But there was another element in the equation, which was more disturbing than anything else. It is true that in three weeks in Shanghai, I have not seen much of China. 100Km from the city and you are into a different world again. But there is no doubt the Chinese intend that it will supplant HK as the principle engine and power house of the country. There is a determination within the people to march down the road of economic growth as fast as possible. The considerable number of western companies already tapping into that determination is proof of that. For the past ten years, Shanghai has been a huge construction site and they have not finished yet. Boasting the second tallest building in Asia and about to start on the tallest, suggests a headlong leap to get to the future before anyone else. The Maglev train will scoot you from Pudong airport to the financial centre at 400kph! With the number of high rise blocks to accommodate the population, it begins to make New York look like a village. And where is the litter? Yes, every place has its grim areas and Shanghai is no exception, but in the general state of affairs it must be said that it is a very clean city. Well of course there is an army of people engaged upon clearing up everyone's mess. Even to the point of walking down the fast lane of a motorway picking up rubbish and placing it in a plastic bag! The result is that you do not see litter. It is said that the difference between the superb Shanghai Metro and the London Underground is this: The Shanghai Metro is so clean, you could eat your lunch off the floor. With the London Underground - it looks as though you have done! This is not a place playing catch up. Technically, in many respects they are our equals. What is disturbing, is the determination and commitment of sweeping all before them to arrive at the Holy Grail before the rest of us. This, is no doubt in part fuelled by a generation deprived of an education during the sixties and seventies, who are determined that such deficiencies will never happen again. Why then are we letting the world pass us by - in some cases without even knowing it? So where does all this leave us in the photographic industry. Well, while I was there, Kodak launched the DCS 14N and also announced that they were setting up 3000 outlets in China to service the public demand for digital imaging. They may be struggling here in the west, but they, like most western companies recognise that their bread will be buttered with a Chinese flavour in the future. Canon were trumpeting the launch of their 10D digital camera at 1650USD! I believe it will be about 1500GBP in the UK! It is interesting that they launch in China before the UK and I am sure it has nothing to do with the proximity of China to Japan. It was also staggering to see the shear numbers of amateurs using digital happy snappies on 'The Bund' by the Huang Pu river. In general of course, salaries are much lower than in the west, except when it comes to photography. Social photographers, earn well above the average salary rate. I ended up shooting for one client in a hair salon with a photographic studio attached. Make overs and wedding photography are all done a month before a wedding takes place and the public are prepared to pay close to western rates for a record of their union - such is the importance attached to the whole affair. There is one studio doing as many as 40 of these packages a day between two photographers. Much of this is done digitally. On the advertising front, much of the 'above the line' imagery for western companies, is still done in the west and imported by the local office of a western ad agency. But this is changing. After thirty years, the Chinese are coming round to realising that marketing and advertising are an important part of business if you want to sell your wares. The difference is that although they speak English very well, the thought processes are very different. This is reflected in the imagery, but even that is becoming more westernised as time moves on. As far as commercial and industrial photography on location is concerned, it is virtually non existent. The quality is appalling! So if you are finding it tough here in the west - you now know where to go. There is a huge market for high quality creative imagery in Shanghai. The Chinese counterparts of my clients were bowled over by the angles, use of lights and the way I looked at things. For me, it was just a natural way of using ones skills. I am sure there are many of you on the list who would have a similar approach to creating images. Wherever I set up a camera on a tripod I soon had dozens of people standing around me watching what I was doing, whether it was inside or outside. Frequently, I couldn't get to the camera because of onlookers peering down the viewfinder. Very friendly, but curious. Of course, with any length of stay in the country you would have to experience the full range of Chinese cuisine, covering dog, snake and other delights such as bull's penis as a 'pick me up' after a hard day's night! In general, a Chinese menu creates a very healthy way of eating. I am sure half the time they are not sure what they are eating either. What about the red tape you say? Well I am sure it is no worse than it is in the UK now. There are two dealers selling professional gear in Shanghai although probably with not so much choice as we have. But they were doing a brisk trade in D1's and DCS's and Hasselblads H1's. The obvious thing to do would be to go to HK, or KL and Singapore and import gear. The Chinese Customs are very relaxed about photographic gear coming into the country. Sadly, few Chinese people are able to travel outside their own country. Nearly everyone under the age of 40 has a mobile phone. The younger generation are very fashion conscious, vying with anyone in the west to wear the latest designer gear. Office staff are computer savvy, particularly in converting Chinese characters into English via the intermediate language of 'ping'. The one very big noticeable difference at the moment is that fewer than 10% of the Shanganese own a car. There is no doubt, that technically they have the equipment and are very capable of using it. Strangely though, what is lacking is the creative ability. I found this odd, given the history of such beautiful art as found in their operas, clothes, pictures and language of the past. The ten year gap in the 60's and 70's was enough to cause a huge mental gap in the national psyche. Their modern impression of what is creative is also limited by the fact that very few of the population have been outside of China. So there you have it - a huge and enjoyable market. Hard work and success go hand in hand and is applauded. Like Africa, I have yet to meet a European who would not go back. Regards to all Norman Childs Mobile: +44(0)7831 519217 Telephone: +44(0)1256 767611 Fax: +44(0)1256 767612 Web site: www.greenshoots.co.uk =============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
