For more than ten years, I resided in Beijing, but I didn’t really know it, and photography became an opportunity for me to explore the metropolis. The act of exploration signifies adventure, transcending from a familiar, secure realm to an unfamiliar territory.
This movement, however, is not solely confined to the physical realm; it also encompasses spiritual and emotional evolution. I keep roaming the city, capturing the connection between people and cities, and reading rich metaphors from them. I am thinking about how urban space shapes people’s lifestyle and desires, and whether there is another world hidden under the surface of daily life. In this immigrant city of 20 million people, countless people come and go with their dreams and sorrows. I feel like I’m both without and within. When the stream of reality that is constantly dissipating and reassembling becomes a photograph, I arrive at the other side of reality.
About ChengLong Zhang
ChengLong Zhang was born in 1987 in Liaoyang, an industrial city in northeast China, where he spent the first 16 years of his life. At 17, he attended an art high school in China, where he studied drama for three years. This early exposure to the arts profoundly influenced him, as he performed in Shakespeare’s plays and studied theories by Stanislavski and Brecht. Although initially challenging, these experiences enriched his adolescent years and set a foundation for his future artistic endeavors.
After high school, ChengLong pursued higher education at the Communication University of China, where he majored in cinematography and film directing. It was during his university years, at the age of 20, that he first picked up a camera, a tool that would shape his method of artistic expression. As he roamed the streets searching for material for his films, he developed a deep affection for photography, particularly street photography. This genre became his medium of choice for capturing and responding to the urban environment and its inhabitants.
ChengLong’s approach to photography does not adhere to any particular style or genre. Instead, he focuses on the authentic representation of his experiences and intuitions. He views public spaces as stages where buildings, plants, objects, animals, and humans are the primary characters, interacting and coexisting in a shared reality. His aim is to capture these fleeting moments, believing that silent images have the power to transform both individuals and society.
In October 2023, ChengLong began entering his works in international photography competitions, quickly gaining recognition. His accolades include being selected for the Street Photography Masters Exhibition at the Photo Gallery in Glasgow, UK, and winning the 2023 AAP Magazine Street Photography Award in the US. His work was also featured in print Issue 36 of All about photo Magazine as one of the 25 winners.
Additionally, ChengLong was selected for the “Into the Night” exhibition at the Italian Loosen Art Gallery in Rome and won the Silver Award in the Professional Group at the 2023 Tokyo International Photography Awards. He also reached the finals of Dodho magazine’s issue 28 and won several awards in French photography competitions, including second place in the PISPA Street Photography and Single Sheet categories, and a Bronze Award in the Street Portrait category.
Currently residing and working in Beijing, ChengLong continues his street photography projects and experiments with different photographic techniques, consistently exploring new ways to express his vision and connect with viewers around the world.
