當我決心轉入職業攝影時，我意識到是該放棄很多東西了。很多人談到放棄，只是說說而已，人們對物質的追求永無止境。也許有人說我已經富有，不需要再努力掙錢，所以有錢有閒可以專注與攝影。其實這是兩碼事，對於攝影的追求不以貧富而論，什麼相機都可以拍出作品，手機就是最好例證，更不用說很多人至少可以買得起傻瓜機。至於是否把它作為職業的追求，使用什麼相機會可能是因素之一，但是不是最主要的因素。我認為，攝影是個性的體現，它表現自我和每一瞬間自然界和物體的變化。在同一場景的條件下，光在變化，時刻影響作品的構成；拍攝者對於光的認識結合其素養創作出千奇萬變的畫面。這就是攝影的自我。所以，觀點很重要，攝影者想在環面中表述什麼。如果一個環面或者一個時期的畫面可以表述攝影者的心情，那麼這就是成功和出色。攝影是孤獨的藝術，不適合群體創作，因為群體的很多因素會影響攝影者捕捉瞬間即逝的光影以及光影所反映的觀點。我的師傅李川曾經對我說，攝影的靈魂是“觀點”。我一直銘記在心。現在當我要以此為職業時，我感到這種孤獨的藝術帶來的快樂，一個人的狂歡到來了。
When I decided to pursue professional photography, I realized I had to give up a lot of things. Many people talk about sacrifice, but for them, it’s just talk; the pursuit of material wealth is never-ending. Some might say that since I am already wealthy, I don’t need to work hard to make money, allowing me the leisure to focus on photography. However, that’s a different matter. The pursuit of photography isn’t determined by wealth; any camera can produce work, and a smartphone is the best example of this. Moreover, many people can at least afford a simple point-and-shoot camera.
Whether or not to pursue photography as a profession may involve the type of camera used, but this is not the main factor. I believe photography is a reflection of personality, expressing oneself and capturing the ever-changing nature of the world and objects. Even in the same scene, the changing light constantly influences the composition of a work; the photographer’s understanding of light, combined with their skills, creates a multitude of images. This is the essence of photography.
Thus, perspective is crucial. What does the photographer want to convey in their work? If an image or a period can express the photographer’s emotions, then that’s success and excellence. Photography is a solitary art; it is not suited for group creation, as various external factors can impact the photographer’s ability to capture fleeting light and shadow, as well as the viewpoint they wish to express. My mentor, Li Chuan, once told me that the soul of photography is “perspective.” I have always kept that in mind. Now that I am pursuing this as a profession, I feel the joy that this solitary art brings—it’s a solo celebration.