Chongqing is going through a large development phase in a rush to catch up with other modern cities in China. Part of this development is tearing down houses which are run down and in neighborhoods infested with rats, thieves and other pest. When a neighborhood is slated for demolition there is always the customary protests by the people living there about how they feel cheated for the compensation for their houses, and the scrap pickers come through looking for any piece of metal or plastic they can walk off with. I have lived in this neighborhood for the last 5 years and many of my fellow college students lived in these houses just like these, it was part of what made this side of town interesting with the combination of artist communities and old soulful houses and a laid back attitude. Now however the scrap pickers have come and for some it is not uncommon to wake up in the morning only to find your neighbors steel safety door is missing or someone’s air conditioning unit has been dragged off. Baskets full of various things found around, these people walk up and down the alley ways calling out to residents for any sellable scraps they will part with then the interchange of yelling and swearing at the paltry pickings.


Leica M6, Zeiss Biogon 21mm f2.8, Fuji Superia 200