I usually avoid passerby pictures of disabled or disadvantaged people. It’s a pet peeve of mine, photographers showing pain in photos without getting to know the subjects or their stories. It’s an easy way to emotionally tug viewers. But I couldn’t avoid taking this photo. I was walking around near my dorm room just absorbing the sites, smells, and sounds when I began to hear a wonderful wood instrument in the distance. It continued as I wove in and out through different alleyways and streets for a good hour.
Finally I took a turn and there they were: a blind musician and his wife slightly tugging at his shirt leading him in the right direction. I listened to the instrument (the traditional Sheng) for a while, gave some change, and snapped a photo. I went on my way and continued to hear the music until sunset.
The image is not anything special, I just really like the story behind it.
Another nice one, Alex.
See if you can see this photo essay done in Changsha:
http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/06/the-kid-who-sleeps-on-the-tricycle-in-the-morning/#more-3140
This is one of my favorite instruments in China. Maybe not as unique as one would think, though. Nanjing has 3 or 4 couples who do this.
Hey, Thanks for commenting. The instrument sure makes beautiful sounds. I had no clue if this was common or not, so thanks for letting me know. I’ve only seen this one, but I am very new to China. Thanks for reading
i have a classmate learn “sheng” at a special school ,then he attend to university because he can play sheng very good ,i think he is very lucky than the poor player.
the behind story maybe very hard .
Hey Jerry,
That is cool
It is a very beautiful instrument.
The background of this player is probably very sad. I wish I could have spoken to him more than I did.