New Year's Day, 2026: The Quiet Aftermath in Qingxi
Introduction January 1st, 2026, in Qingxi, Dongguan, unfolded as a silent counterpoint to the previous night's festivities. A faint, residual scent of fireworks hung in the air, and the colorful remnants on the streets became the focus of my first photo walk of the new year, documenting the morning after. Evidence of Revelry and Restoration My immediate attention was drawn to the scattered signs of the midnight excitement. I photographed two empty beer bottles abandoned in a bush near tall yellow grass, silent witnesses to the celebration. The most compelling subjects were the spent fireworks themselves. A close-up captured a used firework with burnt paper, telling the story of a bright, fleeting moment. Further down the street, more detritus lay—one firework on a cement surface with another in the background, and a vibrant scattering across a brick sidewalk. The party's conclusion meant the restoration of order was underway. I cap...
