With a tourist agenda in place for Chinese New Year, your’s sincerely isn’t going to write about Chinese New Year and tell you to leave your camera at home. In fact, you can bet I’ll never do it because there’s no better way in capturing an extravaganza of light and color than with your camera. Besides, it not only makes lasting memories, but a good visual for the mantelpiece to show off. Here are some of the best things to capture during this flashy (no pun intended) occasion.
1. Dragon Dance:
One of the ultimate things to capture is a dragon dance, which are said to bring luck. They are colorful displays with lots of interesting shots of both the dragon dancers and the adorning crowds. They say, the longer the dragon, the more luck it is meant to bring. Nearly every Chinatown will have one during Chinese New Year Day on 16 February.
2. Lanterns:
This has got to be another classic, traditionally in red, a symbol of a prosperous life and booming business the radiating beauty and the fact that they’re not moving makes them a photographers dream.
3. Feasts fit for a God:
For those that celebrate, welcoming the year of the dog would be food, food and more food, often and I’m not exaggerating of epic proportions. While you’d need to be tactile and not implement your camera in the middle of a family feast without asking, those that get the access are often left with a stunning array of unique food snaps that will wow anyone.
4. Streetscapes:
It’s magical, romantic and a whole plethora of other words that won’t do the Lunar New Year and what it means. If you’re in the US, Europe, Australia or elsewhere outside of China, Chinese communities make it a bustling time full of activity as people prepare, shop and enjoy the occasion – creating streets-scenes like the Paris of the orient.
5. The People:
Those that observe this special holiday are often dressed for the occasion. Bright colors, new suave trims and jovial appearances are often the way to go. For 2018, expect to also see folks in green, blue and black to symbolize the elements of wood and water – considered lucky in the year of the Earth Dog.
6. Customs:
Chinese New Year is often a time for customs that includes things such as giving lucky red packets that usually contain money, people praying at temples to bring luck or a jovial game of mahjong, a festive favorite – just mind the noise.
7. Smiles and Laughter:
One thing that makes Chinese New Year so special for those that celebrate it is that it is an occasion to meet friends and family that many haven’t seen in a year or more. The aura can be captured by the smiles and laughter of those catching up with those that matter.
8. Fireworks:
Depending on where you are, the Lunar New Year is marked by a dazzling fireworks display that are bound to make sparks fly on any photograph.
9. Dogs:
No, this is not the name of my new hit single. As it’s the year of the Earth Dog, there is no better way than to capture man’s best friend. Maybe, a four-legged bundle of joy that’s dressed up for the occasion.
10. You:
Whilst the title to this entry sounds like an incomplete sentence, it’s not. It would be a real shame to capture all these dazzling displays and not get a cheeky selfie or an token image of you in a parade.
Make all those festive photos count by purchasing a NIX/Nixplay digital photo frame. The new NIX Lux collection features dazzling designs and finishes that will complement any majestic capture of the festivities. It is designed in a way that draws the eye of any visitor. Want to share them instantly with friends and family, the Nixplay Iris is a great way to instantly share them with anyone in the world by either adding them as friends or linking multiple frames with its unique WiFi Cloud infrastructure.
Bea is Nixplay’s Social Media Manager. She enjoys drinking coffee, reading about wars, and writing stories. Send her a message at beatrice.bisais@nixplay.com.
