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Jennifer Zhou | all galleries >> Galleries >> Portraits: Family, Friends, and Strangers > Happy Moment, Shanghai, China, 2005
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16-JUN-2005

Happy Moment, Shanghai, China, 2005

A month after photographing this woman, I brought her some prints. She was surprised to see me, and even more surprised to see her pictures. She was so pleased with the pictures that she couldn't keep herself from smiling all the time, just like a little girl having her first candy bar. She talked to me in a local dialect. I couldn't understand a word of it. I talked to her in Mandarin, and she just smiled back to me. I realized that we might never understand each other's words, yet the trust, care and connection between us went well beyond words.

Canon EOS 10D
1/400s f/4.0 at 19.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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frank 23-Jun-2006 15:44
Very touching. Big fan of your shots.
Guest 19-May-2006 00:21
Very nice, words and photo!
Ashley Hockenberry30-Dec-2005 04:03
Nice!!!
Guest 11-Dec-2005 10:29
all your shots about this old lady make me want cry...
Anne Young26-Oct-2005 11:26
Wonderful capture!
night@shenyang 14-Jul-2005 04:02
Feel good.

ÉϺ£»°Ó¦¸Ã±ÈÓ¢ÓïºÃѧ°É? : )
Kal Khogali13-Jul-2005 14:54
Jen, as usual you surprise us, with a new idea and approach. This image works becasue of what went before. We know and have seen that in all the other images she does not smile, but here, receiving those images, she smiles. The reason? Perhaps a ray of hope for her that people, society, the new generation can keep it's promises, you have given more than she expected. You represent that ray of hope. I too give my images to those I take pictures of (often without them knowing I have taken the image). I have never thought of doing what you have done, that proves your originality as a photographer. I love this image, because though we thought about what this woman may be like in your earlier images, here we actually see and get to know her.
Phil Douglis12-Jul-2005 19:56
****What a wonderful follow-up to the other images you have made of her, Jen. The context for this one is incongruous -- a lady surrounded by her own pictures is having still another picture taken. She is overwhelmed with her own imagery and loves every minute of it. You can tell she loves you, too. It was a thoughtful, generous thing for you to. You not only express ideas about her to your audience, but you bring her comfort and love in the process. This image shows us how much you care about those you photograph. And that, Jen, is what makes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary photographers. You are passionate about your work, but also about your subjects. It shows.
Guest 12-Jul-2005 15:16
Such a simple gasture from you that means so much for her. I am sure she had never been so happy since a long time will remember you always for making her day.

Good idea. I shall do the same next time. Thanks for sharing and spreading your passion, love and style.
Guest 12-Jul-2005 13:21
Wonderful.
Your return visit shows how you respect and value those you capture.
I suspect that this wonderful face will stay with you as a just reward.
Guest 12-Jul-2005 05:24
This is a stunning portrait especially the way it is juxtaposed with the previous image which I assume is the same lady. I wish I could return to give back the prints. The shot gets my vote. Thanks for sharing it.
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