Fossilizing memories and history
Updated: 2015-11-21 09:56
By Zhang Kun(China Daily)
|
||||||||
People studying hard before the college enrollment exam at Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1981. [Photo by Liu Heung Shing/China Daily] |
It has now become a luxury for a publication or news agency to send a photographer to a foreign country, Liu said. In the past, a photojournalist would arrive in a strange country and experience the local lifestyle without much pressure. He or she would also be granted a few years to immerse himself into the local life and culture, filing reports from the field. Some great photographers, such as Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), created their most celebrated works this way.
"I might be the last generation of them," Liu said. "Photojournalism has changed so much."
He adds that news publications and agencies nowadays would instead hire local photographers because it is more economical and efficient. He says that this has resulted in the loss of a "fresh pair of eyes" and the unique observation of an experienced journalist or artist from another land.
Having been in China for so long, Liu believes there is an urgent need to improve lateral thinking in China's education system before the standard of photography in the country can improve. He hopes that the Shanghai Center of Photography (SCoP) will be able to foster a systematic and effective narrative to rectify this.
"When editors pick the images for the front page, their judgment is largely the same," Liu says.
"I believe this judgment is lacking in China today...It is education, and the training in lateral thinking, that will help a photographer capture the best picture. Education in China has for a very long time been focused on the vertical depth of knowledge. Lateral training is lacking," Liu adds.
- London tube station evacuated over security threat
- China law firm Yingke opens China Center in London
- ROK accepts DPRK's proposal for working-level talks
- DPRK proposes working-level talks with S. Korea
- France, Russia launch more strikes against IS targets in Syria
- Chinese bearing maker prepares Michigan facility
- Indian PM praises Premier Li's philosophy on economy
- Snow hits North China as temperature drops
- 'Burn the Floor' thrills its Beijing audience
- Where do China's damaged currency notes go?
- Shenyang's 50 gas-electric hybrid buses to hit the road
- Top 10 global innovators in 2015
- Leaders attend APEC welcome dinner in Manila
- Amazing finds unearthed at the Marquis of Haihun's tomb
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
Chinese president arrives in Turkey for G20 summit
Islamic State claims responsibility for Paris attacks
Obama, Netanyahu at White House seek to mend US-Israel ties
China, not Canada, is top US trade partner
Tu first Chinese to win Nobel Prize in Medicine
Huntsman says Sino-US relationship needs common goals
Xi pledges $2 billion to help developing countries
Young people from US look forward to Xi's state visit: Survey
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |