China News Service, Jilin, February 13th: Jilin farmer photographer uses lens to record the beauty of the countryside
China News Service reporter Cang Yan Shi Hongyu
In February, the rural areas of northeastern China were cold but full of new year flavor. Qi Shuang picks up his camera every day and uses his lens to record the changes in his hometown.
Qi Shuang, 70, is an authentic farmer. His ancestors lived in Liqian Village, Lafa Street, Jiaohe City, Jilin Province. As a lover of photography, he traveled to every corner of the countryside and captured a variety of photos. The current Lunar New Year is the time for Qi Shuang to collect good materials.
There are more than 80 farmer photographers like Qi Shuang in the local area. The creation of farmers' art photography in the Jiaohe area began in the 1990s. Many farmers' photography exhibitions have been held locally, and their works show the beauty of the countryside from multiple perspectives.
Qi Shuang is taking pictures of rime. (Information photo) Photo provided by Qi Shuang
On the morning of the fourth day of the first lunar month, 64-year-old Ma Xueyan quickly finished his breakfast in order to go out early. Before going out, he carefully checked the lens and battery of the SLR camera, filled a pot of hot water, and set off in a hurry with his camera bag on his back.
Ma Xueyan is a farmer in Nianzigou Village, Henan Street, Jiaohe City. His family has made a living by farming for generations. In his spare time, his hobby is to pick up a camera and take pictures of the scenery in front and behind the house.
The Spring Festival of the Year of the Dragon is in full swing, and Ma Xueyan decided to go out and take photos of the New Year. There are many tourists from the south coming to the Northeast to celebrate the New Year this year, and he plans to try his luck at the New Year's market.
The New Year's market is very lively. Photo by Qi Shuang
The scene of a little girl about to buy candied haws caught Ma Xueyan's attention. He adjusted his posture, quickly set the focus and aperture, and with the "click" of the shutter, the picture was frozen. Because of the good composition, the other party also added his WeChat account and asked for this picture as a souvenir.
In recent years, as Chinese officials continue to promote rural revitalization, a "literary style" has also emerged in the black soil. Tian Yu, director of the Jiaohe City Cultural Center, said that Jiaohe is the hometown of peasant photography, and the works taken by peasant photographers have appeared in international photography exhibitions many times and frequently won awards. This is how the term “Jilin Farmers Photography Cultural Phenomenon” was formed.
Ma Xueyan, who joined the China Photographers Association, is one of the representatives of outstanding farmer photographers.
Ma Xueyan is photographing snow scenes. (Information photo) Photo by Li Zhicheng
The farming culture nurtured by black soil is also the focus of farmer photographers. 43-year-old Jia Kexin is the deputy secretary of the Party branch of Nianzigou Village and a large farmer. He is particularly interested in agricultural technology because he grows Ganoderma lucidum at home. During the Spring Festival, several villagers purchased new tractors with the character "Fu" on them, and Jia Kexin even took a few "family portraits of farm tools."
On February 13th, Jia Kexin planned to shoot a group of "fireworks" in the village. Near noon, he climbed to the hill behind the village with his camera and stood there waiting for the "wafting smoke". When every household started cooking and smoke rose, Jia Kexin quickly pressed the shutter. (over)