Lee Kai-ming's photo exhibit, "A Portrait of My Father," an exhortation to people to contemplate the importance of the family, has touched many, including one Chen Yi-hung, a fellow photographer.
"Lee Kai-ming took a picture of my family at his exhibition, and I was very touched," says Chen. He reflects that photographers aren't usually too eager to get on the other side of the camera, especially when someone else is shooting. His experience at Lee's exhibition made him think, why not sit down and enjoy having his photo taken for a change?
His experience with Lee became the impetus behind his "Studio Projects." He searched for the quaint photo studios of yesteryear that are now difficult to find, and after locating them, he took his wife and child around the island to take pictures at each one. He was recording the growth of his son and photographically preserving Taiwan's old-fashioned studios in one fell swoop.
"We should be pushing for a traditional family photo revival," says Chen. Taking photos under the fastidious attention of a wizened photographer at these old studios that have been witness to so much history, culture, and individual lore is a far sight more intriguing than the usual "fast-food" style of snapping a quick shot of oneself with a camera phone.
"I used to dismiss this kind of thing as being hokey, but now I find it endearing," he says. Beginning in July 2009, Chen has visited old shops such as Xincheng Studios, situated in a 100-year-old Japanese-style building, the 34-year-old Xinxin Color Studios, and Dongmei Studios (all three in Hualien), and Dongyang Studios in Chiayi's Xingang Township. He and his wife and son sat in antique chairs with a flower-print cloth as the backdrop for family photos that evoke an ample nostalgia.
Chen continues: "People feed off their memories, and photos are memories' witnesses." He has also used his own camera to capture the faded glory of these old studios. Most of these places, he notes, are run by married couples. The husband operates the camera, and the wife the lights; husband and wife work together seamlessly as one unit. Chen is moved by what he considers to be a very soulful workplace.
Before his son Bojun reached his second birthday, Chen made plans to visit 12 such antique studios with his family. To date, they've crossed three of them off the list. But plans have a hard time keeping pace with change: his wife is now pregnant with their second child, so his earlier photos now feel incomplete. "I don't care how long it takes, this mission will be accomplished!" he proclaims.
With his wife and young son in tow, photographer Chen Yi-hung has visited old photography studios around the island, using his camera to record the sweet memories. At left we see Dongyang Studios in Xingang Township, Chiayi County, on the right Dongmei Studios in Yuli Township, Hualien County.