“IT’S AMAZING HOW UNAWARE PEOPLE ARE OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS WHEN THEY’RE ON THEIR PHONES”
stumbled upon in daily life. “I would start shooting from a distance, change angles, move up close, and never be noticed.”
It’s a standard Li thinks contemporary Chinese are keen to break away from, embracing a selfimage that’s more personalized. “I think more people will want photos of themselves that are unique, not formulaic. Something that cannot be replicated,” Li says when asked about what’s to come for the industry.
As China’s consumers develop, photographers and artists such as Li can pave the way in exploring an aesthetic that truly speaks to and represents the Chinese identity. “Just as no single musician can now dominate the Mandarin music scene, because people have more diverse taste in music, the definition for what’s fashionable or beautiful will diversify.”