Zhang Qian

zhqcindy@163.com

THREE photographers from Australia were invited to take photographs of Huaqiangbei in Futian District to showcase the area’s special characteristics as China’s most well-known street of electronic products from June 24 to 27.

During the four-day event, photographers David Cubby, Matthew Sullivan and Lai Wei took pictures of the streets of Huaqiangbei and delivered free public lectures on photography. Their photos taken during the last few days will also be exhibited at Huaqiangbei.

Lai is an Australian-Chinese and the founder of the Australia China Institute of Arts and Culture. Thanks to his connection with the local government, Cubby and Sullivan were invited to join the activity organized by Huaqiangbei Subdistrict Office.

Cubby and Sullivan gave two photography workshops at the public service center of Huaqiangbei Subdistrict Office on June 27.

Cubby is a lecturer at the University of Western Sydney and also an editor with the International Journal of the Image. He shared his views on how photographers, artists and designers express their innovation, thinking and emotions through photos.

During his workshop, Cubby said that expressing things through photography is very different from using words because photos show instant images and give more space for the audience’s imagination.

Cubby is a frequent visitor to Shenzhen and his first trip to the city dated back to 2000. He has visited Huaqiangbei many times during his stay in Shenzhen. The photographer thinks the latest renovations taking place in the area makes the place more organized and regulated.

The photographer told the Shenzhen Daily that he had taken quite a number of photos this time. While taking photos, Cubby likes to interact with people.

Cubby’s photos centered on people with products they were selling and promoting. He regarded each shop along the street as a small stage and asked people in the shops to “act out” a bit, like by operating a drone, putting on funny face and wearing VR headgear.

The photographer, who possesses a profound knowledge in arts and culture, gave deep insights into urban cultural development. “Shenzhen should develop its own new cultures and new forms of art, and Huaqiangbei can become a generator for that,” Cubby said as he suggested the city establish its own cultural image encompassing modernity, high technology and innovation.

Sullivan is a senior photographer and currently works for the Australian Associate Press and Australian News Corp. (news.com.au).

Having worked as a photographer for more than 20 years, the skilled veteran shared his perspectives on news photography. He said that taking news photos has helped him connect with people he has met throughout the world. He thinks that the ultimate meaning of photography is to capture the instant moments and photographers should always record the world with curiosity and instinct.

Nine local photography enthusiasts were selected to walk and take photos together with the three photographers from Australia.

A Shenzhen resident surnamed Li was one of the photography amateurs selected to join the activity. Having lived in Shenzhen for 18 years and witnessed the development of Huaqiangbei, Li said it was a valuable opportunity for her to take photos along with the professional photographers.