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Photo editor always looking for new angles
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FOUNDED in 1955, the Amsterdam-based group World Press Photo (WPP) organizes one of the world’s most prestigious photojournalism contests.
Chinese photographer Chang He was on the jury of the 59th WPP contest, the winners of which were announced last week.
Prizes were handed out for single-image and photo-series works in eight categories, including contemporary issues, daily life, general news, sports and nature. In total, 5,775 photographers from 128 countries submitted entries for the latest contest, according to organizers.
Chang, 38, picked up a WPP nature-category prize of his own back in 2007 with his series of striking images taken at zoos across China. In April, he’ll be heading off to Amsterdam for a celebration honoring this year’s contest winners. Also this year, images from Chang’s “Allergy” series will be on exhibit in Dubai.
Chang graduated with a degree in journalism from Shanxi University in 1997 and today works as a deputy editor for a local daily newspaper. Despite his hectic schedule, Chang says he still tries to make time to take photos and follow developments in the photojournalism community.
Shanghai Daily recently talked with Chang about the WPP awards and his experience as a professional news shooter.
Q: “Tianjin Explosion” by Chinese photographer Chen Jie and “Haze in China” by Zhang Lei both earned awards at this year’s WPP contest. Both subjects have been widely captured by photographers in China. What made these images so special?
A: These pictures provided a different angle. To tell you the truth, I’ve seen many pictures of the pollution in China, but I’ve seen very few extraordinary ones. These two pictures feature aerial views that made them unique. Of course, there are other reasons why they won, but in my eyes they both provided a new take for viewers.
Q: You won the WPP’s second-prize story award in the nature category for a series of images you took at zoos across China. Why did you choose this subject?
A: It happened by chance that I went to the Shanghai Zoo one day during a work day. The scene differed dramatically from what one sees on the weekend.
The whole zoo seemed almost empty, except for the animals. The animals appeared so lonely and bored. I was immediately struck at that moment. Later I visited many other zoos in China and captured a series of photographs around this theme.
In 2007, many photographers were focusing on catastrophes and disasters, so perhaps I was just looking for a different subject.
Q: In our digital era, do you think professional photojournalists will be necessary in the future?
A: Professional press photographers can expect a difficult time ahead, since what they do can now be done easily by so many others. But the photos captured by individuals or small groups are quite suitable for spreading on the Internet.
Q: You were invited to sit on the WPP jury for this year’s multimedia prize. What is this prize all about?
A: In simple words, it’s for video work. Sometimes a well-cut video on the Internet can be much more powerful than news footage on the television. The WPP has changed over the years to adapt to the Internet. That’s why it established an award for journalistic multimedia production in 2011.
Q: You say you don’t use your mobile phone to take pictures. Why is that?
A: I downloaded a lot of software on my mobile, so it’s slow. And once I pick up my phone, I will easily be distracted by social media.
Sometimes I go out with my small Sony camera and walk the street looking for inspiration. I don’t want to lose my sensitivity or alertness. If you don’t use a camera for a long time, you might lose your edge when you are shooting on site. I have to keep training or I’ll become rusty.
A professional photographer knows how to pre-judge the movements of a person or a scene. Such pre-judgment ability needs to be maintained. This comes from continuous observation of the life around you.
Q: I heard you make a shooting plan every year. What’s your plan this year?
A: Have you heard of eichornia crasipes? It originated from Brazil, but it is now growing rampantly in the rivers in China. The roots of the invasive plant absorb the heavy metals that are polluting the rivers in China.
Q: You mentioned that you are a lucky person, but do you think of yourself as a talented person when it comes to photography?
A: Frankly speaking, most people are almost the same when it comes to IQ, except for a few geniuses. I’m diligent and hardworking.
Q: Will you consider submitting your photos to WPP in the future?
A: I certainly will submit my photos to WPP again if they are good enough for the contest.
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