On November 17, a group of renowned American photographers participated in the "Joyful Connections in Guangdong: Together to See China" event, immersing themselves in the natural beauty, cultural landscapes, and modern technology of Songshan Lake. The four photographers, who have previously worked for prestigious outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA), include several Pulitzer Prize winners. During their visit, they captured a series of high-quality photographs through an international lens.
The team visited the picturesque Songhu Yanyu Park, where they documented local residents enjoying leisure activities against the backdrop of natural scenery. Michael Nelson, chief photographer for the EPA in Los Angeles and a former photographer for Agence France-Presse, praised the harmonious coexistence of nature and culture at Songshan Lake. He noted how the lake and surrounding industrial landscape complement each other, with European-style architecture adding unique charm. This clever blend of nature and culture inspired him to capture more humanistic images.
Irfan Khan, a well-known American photojournalist and former senior photographer for the Los Angeles Times, who has won the Pulitzer Prize twice, expressed high admiration for the environment and cultural vibe of Songshan Lake. While observing young families picnicking on the lawns of the park, he noted the pleasant natural surroundings and speculated that these families likely lived nearby, possibly working in one of the technology buildings. He highlighted how the residential environment, supporting facilities, and daily necessities are conveniently concentrated in this area.
On November 23, GDToday will host a storytelling event in Guangzhou, where the four photographers will share their inspirations, cultural experiences, and the stories behind their lenses. Their photographic works are expected to be exhibited from December 2024 to January 2025 in both Guangzhou and Los Angeles, showcasing the captivating moments of Guangdong and promoting the region as an important showcase of "modern Chinese civilization."
Reporter: Xie Maishi, Zheng Wenyi, Chen Qiliang
Photo: Huang Zhengzheng
Design: Sun Peichuan
Planning: Guo Wenjun, Chen Qiliang
Editor: Wei Shen, James, Shen He
