Disappearing Shanghai: Photos from Howard W. French

We have told you about the photography of New York Times Shanghai bureau chief Howard W. French before. And now, there is more to report. Howard recently returned from Berlin, where he helped launch his "Disappearing Shanghai" photo exhibit at Zero Gallery. (So, yes -- in addition to writing for arguably the most respected newspaper in the world, he is also an accomplished photographer ... and he's fluent in like 17 different languages. Deal with it.)

Howard emailed to let us know that he has printed a short run of coffee table books featuring 50 of his "Disappearing Shanghai" images, all medium format black and white street shots. Only 500 copies were published in the initail printing. The books are soft cover, 21 x 22.5 cm and cost US$15 (RMB 120) plus postage. Here is how Howard describes the book:

More than most places, even in a China renown for ancient cities, Shanghai, a mere upstart, if a mightily impressive one, reminds us of the fleeting nature of the world we live in. These photographs are a selection of 50 personal favorites culled from two years of beating the pavement with a big, medium format camera to capture the life of neighborhoods doomed to imminent extinction. There is a Shanghai of buildings, and even of wrecked buildings, that we all know. This is a Shanghai of people, of lives and of a way of life balanced on the precipice of change.

For a look at some of the images featured in the book, go here. Howard's photos can also be found on Flickr.

Those interested in purchasing the book can email globetrotter at howardwfrench.com. Payments can be made in cash or through PayPal.