Unveiling China's Photography Journey: A Historical Perspective
China's love affair with photography is a captivating tale that has been unfolding for centuries. As one of the world's largest photography markets, surpassing even the Americas in camera and lens sales (https://petapixel.com/2025/08/12/china-is-the-worlds-largest-photography-market-so-far-in-2025/), it's intriguing to explore the country's rich photographic history. American photographer Ben Fraternale, the mastermind behind the popular YouTube channel 'In An Instant' (https://www.youtube.com/@InAnInstant), takes us on a journey through his documentary series, 'Inside China,' offering a unique glimpse into the evolution of photography in the country.
In the first episode, Fraternale embarks on a captivating exploration of Shanghai and Beijing. He delves into the past and present of Chinese photography, uncovering the country's journey from its early days to its current status as a photography powerhouse. One of the highlights of his journey is the Polaroid 20x24 Studio in Shanghai, owned by photographer Lin Weijian (Jesse Lin), the first of its kind in China. Weijian's studio is a testament to the groundbreaking work of John Reuter, who pioneered large-format Polaroid photography in the early 21st century in the United States (https://petapixel.com/2010/09/24/giant-20x24-polaroid-photography-lives-on-through-ny-studio/).
Fraternale's journey begins at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Shanghai, where he learns about the early days of photography in China. He discovers that the daguerreotype process, unveiled by Louis Daguerre in France in 1839, quickly reached China, with silver plates from the 1840s found in the country. However, photography faced initial resistance due to fears that it could capture one's soul, a belief not unique to China. As the 19th and early 20th centuries progressed, photography gradually gained acceptance, but it remained a luxury for many. It wasn't until the late 20th century that photography became more accessible to everyday people in China.
The late 1950s marked a significant turning point when the new communist government approved the production of domestic photographic film and products, making photography more affordable. This era saw the rise of companies like China Lucky Film, which recently revived its color film production (https://petapixel.com/2025/06/20/the-first-look-at-china-luckys-new-color-35mm-film/). Chinese camera brands, such as Seagull, also emerged, with Fraternale acquiring a used Seagull 4B TLR from the 1950s for less than $100, a testament to the camera's historical significance.
For decades, Chinese photography companies primarily focused on mimicking foreign cameras, emulating brands like Leica, Agfa, Polaroid, and Rolleiflex. However, when China opened its borders to foreign camera companies like Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, and Leica, state-owned photo companies like Seagull struggled to keep up. Despite Seagull's demise, its legacy lives on through the preservation of its cameras at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Shanghai, where a technician maintains and repairs old Seagull cameras.
Despite the decline of many Chinese analog photography companies, the country's photography scene has experienced a resurgence in recent years. Young photographers are embracing old film cameras, and China continues to produce exceptional optics through lens makers like Viltrox. The story of Polaroid's instant photography in China is also a significant part of the country's photographic history, which Fraternale will explore in upcoming episodes.
Fraternale's documentary series, 'Inside China,' offers a comprehensive exploration of China's photography journey, shedding light on the country's rich history and its current status as a global photography leader. His work not only educates but also inspires, inviting viewers to appreciate the evolution of photography in China and its impact on the world.
