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The Painted Veil (WC #273)

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted April 5, 20071,840 views8 comments

The 2006 cinematic epic 'The Painted Veil' starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts was filmed on the Li River in China. The film is based on the book by Somerset Maugham about an English woman's spiritual journey toward enlightenment as she and her husband care for the victims of a cholera epidemic in a remote village on the Yangtze River in China. Although the story took place on the Yangtze, the movie was filmed on the Li River, a more romantic and spectacular landscape revered in classic Chinese impressionist paintings. Being immersed in this fantastic landscape borders on the surreal, and although I was unfortunate to visit in a time of smoky skies from burning sugarcane fields, the beauty of place was truly enchanting. The movie is a cinematic masterpiece and well worth watching soley from a photographer's point of view.

-Mike Anderson

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Eric Good on April 5, 2007 at 10:39 PM

I can see why this river is revered... this is very pleasing to my eyes. I've always liked the accentuated depth due to the extensive haze in this region. I never knew it was a side effect of sugarcane fires. Anyways nice composition, color and light.

By the way, is that the sun peeking through the trees on the right?

Registered on March 17, 2007, 116 Posts, 4764 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Wong on April 5, 2007 at 11:34 PM

this is awesome dude. I need to visit my ancestral home someday.

Registered on February 2, 2006, 79 Posts, 2629 Comments

Comment posted by Ashutosh Rajekar on April 6, 2007 at 12:11 PM

This is just sublime! An image that resonates from within. I like the way you've managed to keep the layers of mountains clear despite the apparent haze. Very well done!

Registered on June 8, 2006, 51 Posts, 910 Comments

Comment posted by David Weber on April 6, 2007 at 9:19 PM

Awesome colors and fantastic depth in this scene, Mike. Very contemplative and serene.

Registered on February 7, 2005, 296 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on April 7, 2007 at 4:13 PM

Absolutely beautiful Mike. Great job.

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on April 7, 2007 at 5:13 PM

Eric,

Yes, that is the sun in the right side trees. I must have screwed up my compass bearing for the location of sunrise because I had set up here expecting the sun to come up in the left 1/3 of the image between a gap in the limestone towers. But I'm still happy with it as is.

Richard,

You've got to go to China if you get a chance. The variety of scenery is simply incredible, and few westerners are familiar with these landscapes which allows your images to appear fresh and exciting here in the states.

-Mike

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments

Comment posted by Miro Susta on April 9, 2007 at 3:25 AM

Well done Mike. Thanks for interesting explanation.

Registered on August 18, 2006, 719 Posts, 3736 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on April 26, 2007 at 1:00 PM

Mike, This is an awesome photo.

I especially like the fact that the apparent currents on the river lead my eyes back to the layers of mountains.

You've captured the morbidity of Somerset Maugham very well in this image.

I'll bet money, marbles, or chalk, that if you desaturated the photo and introduced other filters, you could set different tones with this photo.

I really like it.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments