Ink-Wash Xiapu: A Different Visual Encounter
Fresh Fujian, the enchanting beauty of Xiapu. This is Xiapu's proud declaration to the world, boasting what is said to be the most beautiful tidal flats on earth. The dazzling play of light and shadow at sunrise and sunset has captivated countless photographers and travelers, earning it the top spot among the nation's top ten photography bases.
During the National Day holiday, I came to Xiapu drawn by its reputation, fully prepared to revel in its beauty. However, the weather did not cooperate. As I wandered along the Xiapu coastline, I was disappointed to encounter overcast skies and drizzling rain. Even rising at four in the morning with devout sincerity to pay homage, I did not witness the grand spectacle of a fiery red sun bursting from the horizon, nor did I see even a fleeting glimpse of the sun playing hide-and-seek behind the clouds. It teased us with just a few seconds of faint red light, briefly stirring the hopes of those waiting on the tidal flats, only to vanish without a trace before everyone could aim their cameras.
Faced with this scene, the crowd gathered on the shore could only sigh in lament—why was nature so stingy? Could it not spare us even ten minutes, five minutes, or three minutes? Yet, since I was already there, I might as well take some photos for lack of anything better.
Back home, feeling disappointed, I transferred the photos from my camera to the computer. To my surprise, my gloomy mood suddenly lifted. It turns out that the beauty of Xiapu's tidal flats is not only found in the colorful oil paintings bathed in the glow of the sunset, but also in the dim light of the overcast sky, where it elegantly displays the unique freehand brushwork of Chinese landscape painting. A series of poetic ink-wash scenes unfolded before my eyes, and this fresh and refined visual encounter instantly stirred my once-dull spirits!
Sunrise and sunset are a cycle of repetition. In Xiapu, I only saw the sky brighten and darken, witnessing neither sunrise nor sunset. Yet, despite that, Xiapu's ink-wash landscapes ignited a desire in me to further explore the secrets hidden in my camera. Could the silhouettes in the She ethnic village be equally fresh and refined?
Perhaps overcast skies do not always mean gloom. Beauty is always present, everywhere and at all times. An ordinary visual encounter can be an extraordinary romantic tryst in your heart. Even on days without bright sunshine, the warmth in your heart can still ignite a radiant fire.
