Sunday, August 22, 2010

Back to Beijing...

Great Wall
Copyright 2010 Matt Mortensen Photography


The second to trip to Beijing in just 6 weeks?  Amazing opportunity and this time was better than the last!  If you ever get there, make sure to go to a section of the Great Wall that is less traveled, it is well worth it.  The image above was created at 888 meters just before this section of the Wall becomes impassable.  We were even treated to a little scare when a thunderstorm rolled in and one of out party was off on a trek over the crumbled section a half kilometer out!  Absolutely breathtaking!
Of course, while in Beijing you have to do as the Beijing-ese do and see what the PRC paid billions for in 2008 - the stage for the Olympics.  The image below is an HDR of the Bird's Nest, the National Stadium.  Note the fellow on the right side of the frame getting his picture "professionally" taken in front of the monumental building by one of the dozens of locals sporting cheap DSLR's.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Beijing 2010...

Summer Palace Paradise
Copyright 2010 Matt Mortensen Photography

So I recently trekked off to Beijing on assignment and was that ever a blast!  Talk about a feast for the eyes...there is nothing like traveling to the other side of the world to see new things!  Sure there may be a McD's and a KFC on every block and I did learn how to spell Starbucks in Mandarin, but the back alleys and outer limits of Beijing are still full of wonder!  Next visit I will get many more images of the smoky late night scenes filled with smog, smoke and street food! 

Pick up this guide from my favorite series before you go: