China News Network Qinghai Yushu, July 7 Topic: Qinghai Tongtian Riverside: Humanistic photographers trace historical sites and meet "herders together"
Author Pan Yujie
"I saw those herdsman photographers, carrying cameras on their backs, wading through mountains and rivers, using their lenses to measure the land in their hometowns, and some of them even persisted for decades, so devoted, it was very moving." On the 26th, Tibetan photographer Dunzhu said this in Yushu Prefecture.
On the same day, the 2023 Lancang-Mekong International Photo Week humanistic photography activity entered Shenduo County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and photographers visited the ancient ferry port and the traditional Tibetan residential complex on the bank of the Tongtian River to experience characteristic religious and cultural activities.
The picture shows local residents wearing Tibetan costumes inside the Landa Hundred Long Watchtower. Photo by Gao Junhai
Located in the northeast of Yushu Prefecture, Shenduo County is a grassland pastoral county, with an average altitude of 4500,<> meters, and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River run through the whole territory of the Tongtian River. "Shangduo" means "place where tens of thousands of people gather" in Tibetan, and for thousands of years, ancient tombs, ancient rock paintings, ancient villages and ancient ferry ports left behind in the basin area have witnessed the profound and unique historical and cultural heritage of the local area.
The rain continued for days, and the early morning Tsutenkawa River was swept with mud and sand, and the crescent-shaped sandbar in the middle of the river was washed out in a soft arc. The surrounding mountains are verdant and misty, and the white pagoda stands quietly by the ancient ferry port, like an ink painting, which is quite poetic. At the extension of the stone steps, the shepherd slowly walked through the prayer wheel, and the village in the distance was shrouded in haze.
The picture shows an aerial photograph of the Baita Ancient Ferry on the bank of the Tongtian River. Photo by Zhao Rinsong
"Today's weather is particularly suitable for this kind of subject." Yunnan photographer Xu Jinyan said, "The scenery of blue sky and white clouds is commonplace, and the ancient ferry port in the rainy atmosphere is more vicissitudes." ”
The humanistic photographers also met local "counterparts": more than a dozen herdsman photographers from various counties and townships in Yushu Prefecture are conducting hands-on training here. Everyone exchanged ideas while shooting.
Renchen Nyima, a photographer from Chengdu County, whose ancestors moved from Sichuan to Gudukou to settle down, has been a ferryman for generations. "According to legend, Princess Wencheng also visited here more than a thousand years ago, and the ferry port has an important transportation function in history." He pointed into the distance and said, "But now, the shadow of the sheepskin raft has long disappeared on the Tongtian River, and straight bridges have penetrated both banks." ”
"I met my teacher, Tibetan photographer Ngawang Lobsang," enthuses Rinchen Nyima who met him during training a few years ago. ”
"Yushu is truly a photographer's paradise." Dhondup, who visited for the first time, did his homework in advance in a mobile phone memo and still felt that it was "far beyond expectations": "I have heard about the good scenery here, but what I didn't expect was that there were so many herders with cameras on their backs, they did not use their mobile phones to take pictures casually, but seriously wanted to retain the beauty of their hometown, which is truly a love from the bottom of their hearts." ”
On the banks of the Tongtian River, Guowu Castle is dotted with stone walls made of traditional Tibetan stone masonry, and stone paths lead to the depths, while the grass on the side gradually darkens. Not far away, the Landa Hundred Long Watchtower, the whole is a stone and wood structure, the appearance is simple and rough, the structure is strict, is a typical local aristocratic "hundred households" residence.
The picture shows a corner of Guowu Fort on the bank of the Tongtian River. Photo by Shetty
Sonam Bajiu's family lived here, and their ancestors were the local "head of a hundred households". "I am very happy to welcome photographers from all over the world," he said, hoping that in the future, the traditional folk house will be transformed into a folk museum, so that more people can experience the charm of the ancient village.
The picture shows Henan photographer Gao Junhai (left) communicating with photographers from multiple counties. Photo by Shetty
Henan photographer Gao Junhai has visited Yushu three times, "Humanistic photography should carefully feel and appreciate the changes in a place. "Some of the herders' equipment is outdated, but they are actually the most cutting-edge photographers because they are close and familiar with real life in the area." ”
"It doesn't matter if the photos are good or bad, what matters is that the herders picked up the cameras." Gao Junhai believes that the photography association has the obligation to hold regular training, training, workshops, etc. to help herdsman photographers better tell the stories around them. (End)