Matsu Islands - Back to simplicity

molested_cow · Oct 5, 2013

It's good to return to simplicity. For a while I ventured into stuffs that are more technical, like Panos and HDRs and tricky landscape with challenging lighting. On this recent trip, I brought many lens with me, but ended up using mostly just one of them. My favorite 50mm. I stopped thinking about being technical and just shot everything I found interesting without thinking too much. I then realized the joy of simple compositions that I used to do back in the days of 35mm SLR. So I've broken them up into themes. Lots of photos in my album, so please have a look. Just sharing.

Doors - Cowing Around: Photo Entry: Matsu - Doors

molested_cow · Oct 5, 2013

Windows - Cowing Around: Photo Entry: Matsu - Windows

molested_cow · Oct 5, 2013

Roofs- Cowing Around: Photo Entry: Matsu - Roofs

molested_cow · Oct 5, 2013

Ornaments: Cowing Around: Photo Entry: Matsu - Ornaments

molested_cow · Oct 5, 2013

Messages: Cowing Around: Photo Entry: Matsu - Messages

Well, some historical explanations needed on this one. When KMT retreated from mainland China to Taiwan, they also occupied a few islands just off the coast of the Chinese Mainland as a military hold out. The residents on these islands were therefore banned from going back to the mainland and the islands became heavily guarded and fortified military forts. Matsu Islands were such islands. There used to be thousands of soldiers on these islands which out numbered civilians by a great ratio. It was only after these islands were declassified as front lines when tourists are allowed to visit them. During the militarized days, political propaganda against the Chinese communists and pro-KMT messages were everywhere on the island, which have became points of interests now. Now the residents can take a speed ferry to China whenever they wish.