PHOTOGRAPHER YANGNING

羊宁不上学

YANG NING is a Chinese photographer who’s incredible 35mm work I caught from his backstage shots at Shanghai Fashion Week.

Greatest inspirations?

My inspiration comes from my life, the films I watch and my Chinese culture.

Tell us about your creative process and things your looking forward to this year?

My creative process is like preparing for a movie, scouting for the right location, choosing models, choosing makeup, choosing clothes, and drawing the shooting draft. In terms of what I am looking forward to this year, peace and stability in the world, a victory over COVID-19, and to continue getting stable jobs and developing more my career in photography.

After the COVID-19, some politicians in western countries ignored the lives of their own people and did their best to attack and smear my country with all their might. This is beyond my understanding However, its also made me more fascinated by my own culture. This new perspective and a deeper understanding of my motherland, has evolved my creative thoughts.

Icons in your opinion?

My idol is the Chinese photographer Zhang Jia Cheng.

His works well express the culture of his country, which is quiet but powerful. I think such works can well express our own culture in the diversified world we live in.

What do you think about the art world?

The change of the art circle should be based on the change of the social circle. The upper elite is a society of acquaintances, which is not conducive to photographers of ordinary origins to show themselves. There are definitely many vivian maiers in our world, but we can't see their work because they lack the platform and opportunity to show their work.

What does ‘ wellbeing’ mean to you?
In my eyes, happiness is born in a peaceful and stable world, a world free of oppression and hunger, where everyone can express their ideas and take lots of creative photos in a safe, stable and healthy society.

Instagram @Yangning118