Expats capture diverse SZ through lenses

Beautiful light effects from drone shows, diverse wildlife, and modernized brewing factories — these are just a few of the elements that audiences can find through the lenses of expat photographers. 

Video and photos by Lin Jianping unless otherwise stated‍

The awards ceremony for the Sixth Expats Eye Shenzhen Photo Contest and the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition featuring the contest’s winning works were held at OH Bay in Bao’an District yesterday afternoon. The exhibition showcases over 100 works, including the winning photos from the contest and additioanal images that spotlight Bao’an District. The exhibition will run through Dec. 6, and audiences can attend free of charge.

Expat photographers pose for a photo at the Sixth Expats Eye Shenzhen Photo Contest awards ceremony at OH Bay in Bao'an District yesterday.

This year’s contest was divided into four categories: Shenzhen Cityscape (C1), Shenzhener (C2), Shenzhen Tech (C3), and Shenzhen Nature (C4). The contest, which ran from July 19 to Sept. 20, received submissions from 90 entrants across 31 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Ukraine, Japan, France, Germany, and Italy. Additionally, 15 works were submitted via the contest’s official Instagram account. Many participants have submitted works to the contest for six consecutive years.

Expats appreciate the photos of the Sixth Expats Eye Shenzhen Photo Contest Exhibition at OH Bay in Bao'an District.

The organizing committee recognized outstanding works by selecting a Photographer of the Year, four Category Photographers, six Merit Photographers, and nine Shortlisted Photographers. 

Winners of the title Merit Photographers receive their awards.

John Roger Speakman, who won second prize in the nature category last year with a series featuring birds, shifted his focus to butterflies this year. His series, “Flying Fashionistas of Shenzhen,” earned him the title of Photographer of the Year. “It is really difficult to take pictures of butterflies that are flying,” Speakman shared with the audience during a video speech. “I took literally thousands of out-of-focus pictures of butterflies before I figured out the best way to capture them.”

Paris Peacock in Flight by John Roger Speakman.

The British photographer has lived in Shenzhen for three years. After learning about the photo contest last year, he submitted his works and complimented the quality of each entry. “We all live in one city, but actually the groups of photographs that people produce are all completely different,” said Speakman. “It shows that people's experience and people's eyes of what they see in Shenzhen are all very different.” 

Frantisek Bina, a photographer from the Czech Republic, participated in the contest for the fifth time. His series, featuring GDH City•Jinpi Fang — a brewery-turned-cultural site in Luohu District — was shot using a fisheye lens by a Shenzhen-based manufacturer, earning him the title of Category Photographer for the Shenzhen Cityscape. The site, transformed from Kingway Brewery, has become a fashion arts block and was one of the main venues for the Ninth Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture. 

City Renewed by Frantisek Bina.

Through Bina's lens, the industrial structure of the building presents a striking visual to the audience, showcasing both the modernity and structural tension of the city’s landscape.

As a participant for five consecutive years, Bina is eager to join next year’s contest. “The contest motivates me to capture the city and to get better photos of Shenzhen,” he said, noting that the fisheye lens provides a unique perspective on the cityscape while also presenting a challenge to create compelling images.

Lion Dance by Jerome Reyes.

Jerome Reyes, a photographer from the Philippines, was recognized as a Shortlisted Photographer in the Shenzhener category. He has followed the contest for about five years, and this was his first time submitting photos, making the award even more special for him. 

“I mostly focus on street photography, portrait photos of people, and capturing raw emotion,” said Reyes. “Shenzhen, with its dynamic blend of modern innovation and cultural heritage, offers endless inspiration for photographers.” 
The event was hosted by the Information Office of the Shenzhen Municipal Government and organized by EyeShenzhen, Shenzhen Daily, and the Publicity Department of the Bao’an District Committee of the CPC. 
Source:  ShenzhenDaily