pagespicsExploring Hidden Peanut Oil Factory in Daya Baya
Posted on November 1, 2024
A well-hidden location
Unbeknown to many passersby, the little door in the photo below opens up to a very small factory in Daya Baya, China. Inside this shed batches of peanut oil are lovingly crafted. The location was given away by the sweet smell of roasting peanuts. Getting access to locations is one key element to ‘getting photos that others can’t’ (which, incidentally, is the name of a rather good photography book). These images are part of a series of photos that I am gathering whilst exploring the area surrounding Park Lane Harbour on my bike.
Light is everything
Getting the light right for this photo shoot was quite a challenge, as the midday sun was streaming through the windows of the shed. This was counterbalanced with a small studio light that I had brought along and a little magic in post-production!
Nothing is lost. The shells of the peanuts are used as fuel in the roasting process. The husks of the spent peanuts are crushed and used for animal food.
Its all changed…
As I write this post, I am noticing that LOTS of things on WordPress have changed, and it has not made writing things any easier. Maybe at some point I will come back and write more about this photo shoot, but for now, the images can speak for themselves! Maybe I should have included the final photo, where the last of the peanuts were washed down with a cold beer!
Take care and keep clicking, Chris
Capturing Rice Harvest: A Photographer’s Adventure
Posted on October 23, 2024
My trusty OlympusOM5 ii remains tucked into the saddle bag of my bike and I am always on the look out for things of interest to photograph. I was fortunate enough to come across a family that cleans rice using a small operation in a shed outside their property. Whilst I was there they were also producing coconut oil. I felt right in my element, even though the lighting was less than perfect.
I could have spent all day taking photos flying out of the cleaning process, whereby the smaller bits of waste are blasted out by a jet of air. This shot required some additional lighting and a fast shutter speed. I was fortunate to have a cycling partner willing to plug in and hold the lighting gear for me!
Harvesting Season
Harvesting season is upon us, so at the moment there are strips of rice drying on the side of the road and machines gathering the rice from the fields. Hopefully I will have time to head out early in the morning to capture some more photos of this quite spectacular site. Obviously, more spectacular in the early morning light!
And next?
And the next set of photos should be of the peanut oil processing, although the photos will not reveal the heady smell that wafted from the factory shed. I can however tell you that the freshly roasted peanuts went will with an ice cold beer! Pics to follow. Now to cook a biriyani…
Take care and keep clicking,
Chris
Park Lane Harbour
Posted on August 8, 2023
A New Chapter…
My travel photography has returned to China. I am a long way from the previous location spent here, when I lived in Shanghai. This time I find myself at Park Lane Harbour, a relatively quiet holiday area in Daya Bay, close to Shenzhen. Street photography is once more on the cards. However, the ‘street’ in this case will often be the local beach.
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