The world keeps exploding; a Burmese cyclone and the junta block all ports, China’s earthquake inconveniences the Olympics and in South Africa xenophobia causes barbaric violence. There is no beauty to be found in misery or fear, but a Chinese wedding photographer recorded something haunting[1].

These photos were taken when the recent earthquake (which has thus far claimed 50 000 lives) struck during a wedding in Sichuan, China – all 33 guests survived.

The combination of the formal intention of the photographer who is flung into a documentary role together with the detached shock of the wedding party produces some amazing images that seem at once posed formal and lost. I want to connect the image of the bride with Marie Antoinette as Versailles is lost.
More than anything it reminds me of my favourite Cindy Sherman image – particularly the colour.

PS. The above slidy script is modified from CrossFade2