Baozang Temple is located in Fenyuan Township against the backdrop of Bagua Mountain. I’ve passed this temple several times while cycling but never explored the area until recently. There weren’t many people there during my visit: A couple people were praying in the temple while another handful were chatting near the entranceway. Outside, a few construction workers from a nearby road project were enjoying some shade under some large trees on the temple grounds.

There are conflicting reports regarding the age of this temple:

The local legends said that Baozang Temple was a small monastery enshrining Guanyin Bodhisattva. A Quanzhou settler from Chiayi brought an emblem of Matsu to this temple, which was said to have magical powers. More and more people began to worship Matsu in this temple, so local gentry Hsu Yen-Kuang (許炎光) proposed to rebuild the front hall, which was completed in 1733. After the front hall was completed, a replica of Matsu from Lukang Tianhou Temple was enshrined in this temple. However, according to Changhua County Records, Baozang temple was built by the local villagers in 1785, or maybe this was a record of a major renovation activity [Source].

Lantern

A path up the mountain behind the temple leads to fenced-in recreational area. I saw a few Sakura trees in bloom from the outside and contemplated going in until I was informed that I needed to pay to enter. I figured heading back down the hill and getting a coffee on my way back to work would be a better use of the money in my pocket.

View from a hillside path

All photographs from this post were shot on Fujicolor Superia 200.

Location on Google Maps.

Sakura

Going Up [1 of 30]

In early March, I challenged myself to photograph a jump a day for thirty days. I made my challenge public to anyone who would listen and even did some brainstorming with others about possible jump locations. After a clearing up of the weather that conveniently coincided with a much needed haircut in mid-March, I was ready to begin my project. I’ve done two jump photographs prior to this series: one at Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung and one in front of some plum blossoms in Fengguidou. I also looked at a few examples of other people’s works – Jumping Project is the largest group on Flickr devoted to portraits of people jumping. Another source of inspiration was Natsumi Hayashi’s incredible levitation blog - Yowayowa Camera Woman Diary - the influence of her photographic style may be obvious in a couple of photographs in this series.

Most of my photographs were taken on weekdays during my lunch break. Some were taken a couple blocks from where I work [and a couple at my workplace], while others were usually within a ten minute driving radius. Most of my shots were taken on shutter priority mode [1/500 s] using my camera’s 20 second shutter release timer and set to take nine consecutive photographs. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the lousy shots were erased on my camera long before they ever made it to my hard drive. Looking back, those would have made a great collage. After beginning my project, it quickly became apparent that because of other priorities and the occasional thunderstorm I wouldn’t be able to complete my project in thirty days.

I really like my first photograph Going Up. In my opinion, it’s a well-composed photograph. Without the movement of my shirt, it would look like I was superimposed to my position. The torn advertisement gives the picture a sense of balance. The horizontal lines contrast well with my direction of movement and can be used to measure my vertical leap.

Dots [2 of 30]

Dots was taken in a hurry. I should have taken it when we first arrived at Caotun’s Handcrafts Institute while the sun was low rather than as we were leaving. I should have also tried again to get higher so the bricks could have been completely cropped out of the photograph and the background would only be comprised of those splendid polkadots.

Tung Blossom [3 of 30]

Number 3 had nice air, but it’s not a terribly interesting photograph. At this point I should have decided to not make this project a daily chore and just skip a day.

Launch Time [4 of 30]

Launch Time was another early shot I thought I nailed – great position and great air.

Versus a Triceratops [5 of 30]

Versus a Triceratops is one of two purposely humorous photographs in the series. There are other dinosaurs at this location, but my test shots with the velociraptor just didn’t turn out right. Unfortunately, this near-deadly encounter ruined a perfectly good pair of jeans. Don’t try this at home.

On Bamboo [6 of 30]

On Bamboo was my attempt at making On Dots as I originally envisioned it. Due to focus issues, this is one of my weakest photographs of the series.

Three Trees [7 of 30]

After I got started on this project, I thought about doing every photograph of the series with a 4×5 crop. I changed my mind while editing Three Trees. I should have done a few more attempts for this one to get it exactly the way I wanted it but my audience was too big.

Pedestrians [8 of 30]

I had a definite vision in mind of how I wanted Pedestrians to turn out and kept trying until I perfected it. I tried more than twenty times to get this photograph. After posting this photograph, I was worried that I peaked with number 8 and I wouldn’t be able to top it. For a while, I was right.

Bringing in the Laundry [9 of 30]

Number nine was a hastily planned and quickly executed shot. Not terribly exciting or inspiring. Like the sandals?

On Bricks [10 of 30]

On Bricks is my favorite legs-only shot of the series.

On Stairs [11 of 30]

I really didn’t want to make On Stairs black and white but the color of my shirt matched too closely with the sky. A quickly executed shot on my way to a demonstration on using interactive whiteboards.

Enjoying the View [12 of 30]

Enjoying the View debuted a pose that finds its way into several future shots. Nice view from a department store in Taichung City.

How Sweep It Is [13 of 30]

How Sweep It Is was the second time I used a prop during a jump and regrettably the last time. The broom was picked up from its leaning spot next to a nearby tree.

Ogive [14 of 30]

I learned later that these shapes coming out of the ground in number 14 are lit up during night and change colors. If I ever get around to replacing my broken eBay wireless flash trigger I may have to venture to this area again one evening.

Under Construction [15 of 30]

Under Construction was the only photograph taken at night because I forgot my SD Card at home and couldn’t do my originally planned jump during the day.

The Floater [16 of 30]

Floater could have probably been made better by holding my arms out like a zombie. Like I said before, Pedestrians was proving really hard to top.

Kiwi 542 [17 of 30]

I felt my project getting some life back in it with Kiwi 542. A fun photograph that came out just as I had envisioned it.

Out of the Tunnel [18 of 30]

Out of the Tunnel stands out in my mind because I look the most relaxed in this picture. For once I wasn’t squinting because of the noonday sun. Some viewers have said it looks like I’m being blown out of the tunnel while others have said this photograph looks morbid.

On Gray [19 of 30]

On Gray would have probably been a lot more appealing if I were wearing a suit. Then again, the same could be said for a lot of the dull photographs of this series.

Afternoon Stroll [20 of 30]

Afternoon Stroll is probably the best of the three black and white photographs of this series.

Don’t Look Down [21 of 30]

I think I was worried about falling face first on the pavement in Don’t Look Down.

Over the Bridge Downtown [22 of 30]

Want to know how far I can power walk in twenty seconds? Look at Over the Bridge Downtown.

Make Like A Tree [23 of 30]

After Make Like A Tree I thought my project was getting stale again.

Reflect [24 of 30]

Reflect is what happens when you find the least attractive looking puddle in a parking lot and take a picture of a reflection of your jump. Who would’ve thought? This came out much better than I had anticipated.

Peace [25 of 30]

Peace was created using my camera’s image overlay function – a double exposure of funk.

Chasing Dragons [26 of 30]

Chasing Dragons was taken at Taiwan’s most unique temple. I like the dream-like colors of this one.

Convex [27 of 30]

Convex was shot at a slightly beat-up traffic mirror near my house.

Mossy [28 of 30]

I think Mossy is the strongest of my stairs shots. I like the brilliant green lines leading towards me and the plant matter in various states of decay on the steps.

Where Refrigerators Go To Die [29 of 30]

Where Refrigerators is to remind viewers that I live in rural Taiwan. This fine row of broken appliances is on one of my favorite cycling routes.

The End [30 of 30]

I utilized a never before seen pose for The End. Do you have a favorite?

In Caotun Township, Nantou County.

[29 of 30]

In Jhongsing Village, Nantou County.

[28 of 30]

A small alley in Jhongsing Village, Nantou County.

[27 of 30]

At Caotun Township’s Tzude Temple.

[26 of 30]

In Caotun Township, Nantou County.

[25 of 30]

In Caotun Township, Nantou County.

[24 of 30]