Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/09/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Tina, I was in China this past spring and had no trouble at all photographing people, landscapes, etc. We were traveling in Guizhou province, which lies in the southeast part of the country. I was there exclusively to photograph the Hmong, a minority sometimes also referred to as the "Miao". Karin and I were staying in villages in family homes and had no trouble whatsoever. You could also hire a guide to tag along with you. They often try to bend the rules for clients, and of the sh@4t hits the fan with the authorities, the guide is on the line, not you. You can always claim ignorance. One of the things I've learned in my many travels. I can't speak for Bejing, Shanghai and the other large cities, but some friends have traveled there recently with Canon EOS 1Ds MkII-type cameras and big lenses. They didn't report any trouble at all, except that the cities are boring for photography as compared to the mountain provinces. In Guizhou, I had my usual kit - a pair of M6s in a Domke satchel with 28/35/50 lenses. I ditched the photo vest for regular street clothes long ago. ALWAYS put "tourist" on your visa applications! For occupation, I find that "retired" is the most innocuous response. Some of my stuff from the China trip to Guizhou: http://www.spectare.com/gallery/china05/index.htm --Jim -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jplaurel=spectare.com@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jplaurel=spectare.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Tina Manley Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 1:25 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: [Leica] China Photography LUG: I need your expert advice again. They called today from the Chinese embassy about my visa application. I had put on the application that I was a photographer - evidently a no, no. I had to agree to either write a letter saying that I would not be taking photos professionally while I am in China or change my profession on the application to Housewife. That's a no-brainer. I changed the profession to Housewife (my husband is still laughing). What I want to know is, will I run into problems trying to take photos with professional-looking equipment? Do I leave my business cards at home? Do I not ask people to sign model releases? What kind of trouble can I get into? I'm definitely planning on taking photos to sell as stock but should I try to keep a low profile? No photo vest? No camera bags? I had asked the family that we are renting an apartment from to make arrangements for me to stay with a family in the country for a few nights to take photographs, since that is what I do in most countries. They said that would not be a problem. Will it? Thanks in advance! Tina Tina Manley, ASMP www.tinamanley.com _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information