① Luo Yuanyou
Modern scholar Wang Tao once said in English magazine:
The method of western photography is one end of optics, and chemistry is also involved ... Legal persons like Li Gelang and China people like Luo were first famous in Shanghai.
Luo mentioned in this passage was a famous portrait photographer in Shanghai during the Xianfeng period (1851~1861).
Luo, a native of Guangdong, was formerly an accountant in Shanghai Daotai Wu. 1856 Resigned from his official position and found another job. At that time, there were very few people engaged in professional photography in Shanghai, and only Frenchman Li Gelang managed photography. Therefore, Luo decided to learn photography. First, he learned from foreigners, and then he opened his own photo studio. Luo is highly respected in Shanghai for its superb technology and low price. People from all walks of life like to take photos with him. Luo once took photos for college students and Hua Shanna, a senior official of the official department. He also hung their photos in the store for publicity.
(2) Afong Lai
Afong Lai, a native of Guangdong, was an early professional photographer in Hong Kong.
From 65438 to 0859, Afong Lai opened a "photography club" on Queen's Road, specializing in taking portraits. There is a huge signboard of "Photographer Afong Lai" in front of the store, which is very eye-catching. Afong Lai also hired a Portuguese to help attract European customers to Hong Kong.
Due to the large number of photo studios in Hong Kong at that time, the competition in the photography industry was very fierce. From 1860 to 1877, there were 1 1 photo studio in Hongkong, but the photo studio in Afong Lai has been prosperous for 82 years.
Afong Lai's photography technology is recognized as the first-class level. John thomson, a famous British photographer, once praised Afong Lai's artistic accomplishment and taste. In addition, Afong Lai also has a unique view on art, and he advocates that portrait works should not completely follow the face in nature in modeling and picture processing. He also believes that because of the different aesthetic habits from foreigners, China people require balanced and symmetrical pictures when shooting portraits. Therefore, Afong Lai's works are not only welcomed by China people, but also the style it embodies makes foreigners feel fresh.
Besides portraits, Afong Lai is also good at landscape photography. He shot many beautiful works, including Scenery of Hong Kong, Sailing in Hong Kong and Streets of Guangzhou. These photos were sold as souvenirs to tourists who had been to Hong Kong.
(3) Liang Shitai
Liang Shitai, a native of Guangdong, set up photo studios in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tianjin during the reign of Tongzhi and Guangxu.
Liang Shitai has been in business for many years, and he is skilled and knows the taste of feudal bureaucrats. So he often goes in and out of the court and takes pictures of some princes and ministers. Liang Shitai has taken many portraits of Prince Chun. Among them, there are two signed publications. One was taken by 1886, and the prince of alcohol was dressed in casual clothes and stood next to a deer. The photos are also stamped with the seals of "The Seven Sons of the Emperor and the Prince of Shuochun Bo Chengfeng" and "Imperial Capital of the Eastern Dynasty". This decoration is similar to the "hedonic map" in ancient China.
Another photo was taken at 1889, which was taken by Prince Chun and his son Zai Tao. In the painting, Prince Chun sits in casual clothes, and Zai Tao stands beside him, decorated with vases, books and bowls. This photo is also mounted in the form of traditional calligraphy and painting in China. The title above is "Zai Tao wearing a crown at the age of three", the title below is "Taizhao and Yue Dongliang in the 15th year of Guangxu in Qing Dynasty", and the title in the middle is "Photo of Prince Chun at the age of fifty".
Most notably, Liang Shitai also took photos for the American President. 1879 (the fifth year of Guangxu reign) on may 17, American president grant arrived in Shanghai by boat for a private visit to China. Grant visited Beiyang Minister Li Hongzhang during his stay in Shanghai. Liang Shitai was specially authorized to take photos for this meeting because of his fame in the photography industry. In this way, Liang Shitai took a historic photo of Grant and Li Hongzhang.
In addition, Liang Shitai once took some still life photos in Beijing. Such as "the throne in the Chengguang Hall of Beihai" and "the glass archway in the palace". The "memorial" he photographed was marked with the words "Liang Jingzhao in the 13th year of Guangxu". This shows that it was not easy to take pictures in the palace at that time. He took the paper with reverence and awe. These old photos were not made public until more than 40 years later, and they were signed and published in Beiyang Pictorial. Known as "precious", "rare and extraordinary" and "the first creation of photography in China".