Even at an early age, Uyghur girls already wear the low squarish hats thats typical of their custom. When they grow a little older, they start wearing the Tudung, because they are Muslims. This little girl was in the Urumqi market and was quite startled when I raised that big white Canon and took aim at her eyes. In Xinjiang Uyghur itself, you will see the true Uyghur. They dont usually wear the type of colourful dresses like those worn by the dancers that came to Malaysia. Ordinary Uyghurs are.....well...... ordinary. Down here I am posting a few pictures of ordinary Uyghurs in Urumqi, the capital of the Autonomous Region of Xinjiang Uyghur in China. Some of them have really interesting faces, and I also saw many really beautiful women .........
This old Uyghur man was quite friendly, and seemed not to mind being photographed. Talking to some Uyghurs through our interpreter, I got the impression that many of them were not too pleased with the influx of the Eastern Hans into Xinjiang Uyghur. There is a history of seperatism in Xinjiang Uyghur even though the province is an autonomous unit within China. It is rich in mineral resources and petroleum and Beijing is strategically trying to blunt any seperatist inclinations by improving infrastructure such as roads and rail facilities, just as they are doing in the other Xinjiang, which is Tibet. Han migration is subtly encouraged by Beijing to dilute the Uyghur majority. Urumqi is about 4000 km from Beijing, and many commercial and government departments work to Beijing time, which is about 4 hours ahead from Urumqi time. Who wouldnt be annoyed at having to go to work at the unearthly time of 5 am......
And here is an ordinary Uyghur mother and child. That headscarf that she is wearing is an indication that she is a Muslim..
Below is an Urumqi man. Quite unlike those handsome dancers with six-packs in their midriff. Urumqi is home to about 11 of China's approximately 55 minority groups. In Urumqi you can find Uyghurs, Kazaks, Kirgiz, Mongolians, Xibe, Huis, Hans and others. You can roughly tell which are the Hans as they have a quite distinct Chinese look, and even a Mongolian, but I can't distinguish between an Uyghur and the others.
Another "real" Urumqi man at the bazaar of Urumqi. They may look very stern, but generally they are very friendly. If you are a Muslim, giving an Uyghur the traditional Muslim greeting of As-Salaam-Mu-alai-kum will quickly bring a broad smile, and a reciprocal Mu-alai-kum-salaam.... Suddenly too, prices quoted for goods being sold will come down from the usual levels charged to Gwai-loh tourists....
She appeared to be a helper at a Roast Lamb stall in Urumqi Grand Bazaar. The lamb was delicious and that was the reason I went back for more, not her... heh, heh, heh......
And I saw this Angel in a street of Urumqi. I thought she was really pretty.....
In case you are thinking of making mischief in Urumqi, the eyes of the Chinese Gendarme are always nearby....
I'm a sucker for prety women. I just cannot resist pointing the big Canon at them if I spot them on the streets. This was a pretty woman in Urumqi Bazaar. I think she was a helper in one of the food stalls serving roast lamb.
He's a hat seller, and hats are helpful in protecting your crowns from the harsh sun over Urumqi. So the plastic nose, moustache and spectacles is a good way to attract attention. Very clever.....
Incidentally, all these pictures from Urumqi were shot with the EF 70-200 f/2.8L on my 1DsM2, at the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, which is the home of the Dance Troupe that came to perform in Malaysia. There is a huge open air theatre here where they perform at dinner time. Dinner is of course roast lamb done in several ways. The iDsM2 is a huge combo to carry around and its very conspicuous in the streets but I like the results. With its reach, you can shoot people from a comfortable distance. I usually just point the bazooka at my targets on AE focus, wait, and hit the shutter when they notice me.....
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Originally Posted by digitalartist
but i'll be studying so i cant follow.
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