While on our trip to China, I was shown a famous photo of a farmer leading his ox while under a large Banyan tree, sun beams shining through the early morning mist. This photo had a little of everything, almost the perfect photo. Are we going to try and replicate this I ask? Yes, when we get to Xaipu, which is next up.

Why is it important that a Banyan tree be used? Because, they can be perfect for photography. They are characterized by their massive, spreading canopy formed by aerial roots that grow from branches, take root in the ground, and become new trunks. These trunks become a near perfect framing device.

We arrive at the village that is home to the Banyan tree.  My first clue that things are not what they seem is real is simple – there’s an admission fee. To see a tree? It seems that some lucky Xaipu homeowner happens to have an amazing Banyan tree on his property which turns into a nice source of residual income. All you need are interested photographers or tourists. And there are plenty of photographers who are interested, me included.

There’s a sucker born every minute. [P. T. Barnum]

In my case I think I got my money’s worth, avoiding the sucker moniker. Barely.

The Banyan tree is impressive with many branches arching over a rocky and muddy ground, perfect for a farmer pulling an ox. I set up directly in front waiting for the show to begin. It’s mostly cloudy which may preclude having sun rays beaming onto our subjects. But there is hope as I see small patches of blue in the sky. There is no mist, perhaps it already burned off.  I’ll just have to do the best I can with what I have.

Our farmer and his ox arrive. The farmer is dressed in a traditional way including a large hoe positioned over his shoulder. The ox is undressed. They walk back and forth, quite unexciting. Then, off to the left, behind the Banyan tree, I hear some rustling. And suddenly there is mist. I wait for the mist to mostly dissipate and I take some photos. I realize that this is not mist but smoke from a smoke machine. So, this is how the “famous” photo was done, actors and a smoke machine – right out of a Hollywood production.

The sun starts to peek through completing the scene.

Some sun rays but not enough. Still, I like the image a lot.

While we wait for more sun, there is another setup we “must” photograph, so we are told. It is a gaggle of geese being herded by a gooseherd (you can look it up). It seems that people like to photograph a gaggle of geese being chased by a gooseherd. I was dubious. Queue up the smoke machine and we are off! And then the sun appears.

The gooseherd herding the geese which such zeal. As a note, the smoke machines (both on the left and on the right) produced copious amounts of smoke. However there was no breeze so the space behind the goose lady was smokeless, until I added some using photoshop wizardry.

You can see the sun has appeared, casting nice rays.

Quickly, back to the farmer and ox for a few last shots, this time with the ray producing sun.

Like the fisherman on the Li River (Welcome to the Show), I am left a bit hollow from the experience. I do like the photos though.