Date: June 23, 2018
Reporter: Lin Tong
Photographer: Nancy Chen
On June 23rd, the second season of BCPA’s melodramatic photography event was held in the western suburbs of Boston. The theme of this season was portraits in the style of the Republic of China. In the morning everyone gathered at the Codman estate, a fifth-generation family country house, to shoot. In the afternoon the rest of our photography was completed at Wellesley College.
With 19 members participating and contributing their talents, BCPA has made it possible to re-exhibit the character of the Republican period. Special thanks to Dongxu and Weibo, who organized the event, to Nancy, who has done a lot of work selecting and coordinating with the venue, to Mr. Darly Luk, who did extensive research for scene designs, to Mr. Cary, who helped photographers with their parameter settings and brought a strobe light, to Yun Xia, who brought plenty of props, to Lin Li, who did subjects’ hair and directed, and to Dan Luo, who made up subjects. Also, thanks to all the photographers and models who participated in this event! Without any of you, we couldn’t have made the event so successful!
The volunteers came to the Codman Estate after six in the morning to prepare for the shoot. The hair stylist and makeup girl started working immediately.
Photographer: Dongxu Shan
Photographer: Dongxu Shan
Photographer: Dongxu Shan
The first scenario is Republican-period ladies in cheongsam, or qipao. Cheongsam is a traditional Chinese women’s dress that is both graceful and elegant. Owing to its special design, even modern girls look more reserved and restrained while wearing a cheongsam.
A Republican-period lady dressed in a delicate cheongsam and holding an umbrella of oiled paper, walks leisurely towards us, inviting us into the Republican-period melodrama.
Photographer: JingWei Zhang
A student, pure and elegant.
Photographer: Feng Chai
A woman dressed up so delicately with such a calm demeanor. She is representative of the care with which people of the time attended to their appearance.
Photographer : Yun Xia
This talented woman leans on the stairs, looking forward to a wonderful future.
Photographer: Daryl Luk
Cycling on the forest path, a young girl looks forward to her lesson in the new literature overtaking the nation.
Photographer : Feng Chai
Graceful and suggestive.
Photographer：Chunhua Yang
Elegant and noble in blue-and-white-porcelain cheongsam, if it were not for the details of their hair styles, these two women might be thought to be one another’s mirror image.
Photographer: Weibo Zhang
This Republican-period lady walks her bike, and the men all turn around to stare. Although she would welcome a romantic encounter, restrained by the traditional mindset, she continues on her journey alone.
Photographer: Feng Chai
Walking lissomely in the rain, this woman makes us want to know more about the era.
Photographer: Daryl Luk
The second scenario is lovers during the Republican period.
Platonic love between a man and a woman. Although there is no physical contact, the tacit understanding appears vividly on paper.
Photographer：Cary Chu
Perhaps from the scene, viewers can appreciate the unforgettable story between these two.
Photographer：Lin Tong
In another story common at the time, he lacks the courage to profess his love, and she was too reserved. Although she was inclined in heart, she could not break through the secular, moral and traditional mindset. They ended up breaking apart and forgetting each other.
Photographer: Lin Tong
During Republican period, love replaced the arranged marriage. A women to be married had a great longing for marital bliss.
Photographer: Daryl Luk
These two met in secret, but unfortunately they encountered the paparazzi of the time.
Photographer: Dongxu Shan
Mr. Cary and models work together discussing parameters.
Photographer: Nancy Chen
The director has asked this modern boy to act like someone lacking the courage to express his love. However, the handsome boy tried so hard but still couldn’t find that feeling. This amused everyone.
Photographer: Daryl Luk
The third scenario is artists in the Republican period.
Life was hard for the artist, especially for one who was blind. Hua Yanjun made a living by playing his erfu (Chinese fiddle) on the streets.
Photographer: Dongxu Shan
They played music together since childhood. Life could be so simple and sweet in the old days.
Photographer: Lei Zhang
Like pelting rain, bass strings give a deep and raucous timbre.
Like a whisper, treble strings exude a light and gentle tone.
Photographer: Lin Tong
The melodious voice of the vertical flute conveys emotions of the heart.
Photographer: Cary Chu
Evoking an emotional appeal even before a single note is played.
Photographer: Weibo Zhang
The most popular ensemble in Shanghai.
Photographer: Cary Chu
Their witty and humorous performance style was widely loved by the public.
Photographer: Dan Luo
Photographer: Lin Li
Photographer: Nancy Chen
A photo of Republican-period photographers, but the modern cameras give them away.
Photographer: Dongxu Shan
Photographer: Dongxu Shan
Director Lin teaching how to perform.
Photographer: Feng Chai
This photographer really enjoys what he is doing.
Photographer: Weibo Zhang
In scenario 4, the theme is love of home and country during the turbulent years.
Photographer: Cary Chu
Photographer: Lin Tong
Photographer: Cary Chu
n the late Republican period, China plunged into a three-year civil war. The two parties, the Communists and the Guomindang, were inextricably linked, and stories of spies abounded.
Photographer: Daryl Luk
Photographer: Daryl Luk
Photographer: Lin Tong
It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. We hope that with this melodramatic photography event, we have brought back fragmentary memories of the Republican period.
Photographer: Daryl Luk
Team effort!
Photographer: Dongxu Shan
The president of BCPA took behind-the-scene photos and helped hold the lighting reflector. Between photo sessions, he discussed the work of the association. He was always busy!
Photographer: Lin Tong
The team of the Republican-period melodramatic photography event.
Photographer: Cary Chu
June 23 was cloudy. The light was very suitable for portrait photography. With the strobe lightbrought by Mr. Cary, there were more possibilities for creativity. We have gained a huge number of good photos, learned photography techniques, and practiced interaction with models. At the same time, everyone deepened their friendship and had a wonderful day! Thank you, BCPA, for organizing this event!
Mr. Cary and Vice President Weibo made two videos of this event. Please watch them and give us a thumbs up!