Profile
Master sheds light onto his love of photography
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-02 14:30
 |
Large Medium Small |
Photographer Xian Qianyun, 63, gained national fame for taking portraits for China Photo Studio on Wangfujing for the past 48 years. National leaders and celebrities such as Hou Baolin and Yu Dan have all been captured by his camera. He explains to METRO reporter Shen Jingting his passion for shooting and the path he took to get where he is right now.
|
 Xian Qianyun has his finger on the shutter. Provided to China Daily |
A: Yes, I think so. There are five factors that ordinary people can't master light, shadow, gesture, expression and layout. Though my clients usually are 30 to 60 years old, many young people have now shown interest in taking pictures for China Photo Studio. Last week, I shot photos for a gathering of a four-member family. They said that they could not imagine an old photo studio could shoot such great pictures. And to be frank, photo studios from
Taiwan or Hong Kong are too garish. People told me pictures they took in those photo studios came out much more beautiful than the subjects themselves, but the photos weren't true. The pictures they shoot here are beautiful but they are of the subjects. They are accurate.
METRO: You have been named a Chinese traditional technical master. Does that mean you have developed special skills that far exceed others?
A: I don't think I've got unique skills. All I have is a deep affection for photography. When I watch TV, I do not pay attention to the story, but to the pictures. How is it constructed? What gestures will make a man look more powerful? What kind of color adds a special atmosphere? When I open my eyes every day, the first thing that floats in the mind are my pictures. Look at my home. Under this wooden desk, the bed, I have saved several big boxes of photographic plates that I took in the past 48 years. It's a treasure for me.
But I have my own method of shooting pictures. For example, photographers usually divide light into three categories - flat light, side light and back light. But I regard light into nine different categories. With different people, I use different lights.
METRO: How did you start shooting pictures?
A: In 1962 when I was 17, I just graduated from middle school. There were three career paths for me to choose: barber, cook and photographer. I thought photography was an art and a decent job for young men. The first day I came to China Photo Studio, I was astonished at its exquisite decoration, the red carpet, big sofa and lovely vases. There were wedding photos, and portraits of celebrities hanging on the wall. Though pictures were still black and white at that time, I really thought they were beautiful.
My mentor was Yao Jingcai, who had taken pictures of many leaders such as Zhou Enlai and Liu Shaoqi. He was very strict on picking up an apprentice. Not only should you be clever and good in communicating, but also you should also have a good eye. As a newcomer, I did errands. One day he said to me, "let me teach you."
METRO: You have said photographers need to play five roles - photographer, director, actor, relative and friend. Why?
A: It is not hard to explain. When I take pictures of children, I direct them in how to make gestures. I sometimes bend over, sometimes pull a face, and present various expressions to teach them how to act. At that time, I was a director and actor. I am also their relative and friend, because I talk to them. Sometimes I say to a little boy, "I know your teacher's name".
"Really?" He may answer. When they are talking to me, they will ponder other things and not be nervous to take pictures. If they relax, a good photographer will catch their best expressions.
I remember a young couple had some wedding photos taken. It was the happiest moment for them.
Suddenly, the bride foamed at the mouth and was about to fall down. I knew that the girl had an epileptic seizure, and that this disease usually happens at a person's happiest or saddest moment.
The groom was scared and he did not know his lover had this illness. I quickly held the girl, and waited for her to come around. I also tried my best to calm the boy. They smoothly finished shooting. The couple said I was like a relative and friend.
METRO: Was it very expensive to take wedding photos during the 1960s or 1970s? What kind of people did that?
A: Yes, indeed. China Photo Studio asked for more than 200 yuan for a set of wedding photos. You know at that time, many people only earned 30 yuan per month. Most of our clients were highly qualified intellectuals, or movie stars.
METRO: You have taken pictures of many political leaders and stars. Were you nervous during the shoots with them?
A: Not at all. I met Jia Qinglin in a Beijing annual legislative meeting. He was the Beijing mayor then. I did not feel nervous. I also have a habit and that is doing research of some famous people.
Take Beijing station hostess Xu Tao, for example. I like watching her programs. Every time I see her on TV, I consider how to shoot her if she becomes my client. Photography should not only present one's expression and gesture, it should also reflect the characteristics of people. One day, Xu Tao came to our studio, and she asked me to take her photos. I sent her a handbook, a pen and placed a table before her. She is a journalist, and that's what a professional journalist should look like.
METRO: What are your criteria for apprentices?
A: They should love photography. That's all.
