What’s the value of one million RMB? In Beijing, it could cover a down payment on a home. For photography enthusiasts, a million should be more than enough—but today we’re talking about a lens that even a million might not buy you.
Poster for “Midday Has Its Core – Cai Yuan’s Photography Collection”
At this year’s Beijing International Photography Week, Birdseye Network, in collaboration with artist Mr. Cai Yuan, brought this lens—treasured by Mr. Cai for many years—to the 2016 Beijing International Photography Week. But why is this lens so priceless, to the point that even a million in cash might not persuade Mr. Cai to part with it? The story ultimately goes back to its very first owner—Antoine Lumière.
Antoine Lumière
Whether or not you’re a film enthusiast, it’s common knowledge that the Lumière brothers were the inventors of film technology. But do you know why the Lumière brothers embarked on this costly journey into filmmaking? It’s because they had a photographer father—Antoine Lumière.
Antoine Lumière (Antoine Lumière) and the Lumière brothers
Antoine Lumière (Antoine Lumière), the biological father of the Lumière brothers (Brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière), was born in 1840. If you’re familiar with the history of photography, you might already be smiling—because Daguerre’s “daguerreotype” method, which marked the birth of photography, was officially recognized in 1839. That means Antoine Lumière was born just one year after photography itself was born.
Antoine Lumière (Antoine Lumière) in his studio,
The Le Fran lens shown in the bottom left corner of the image
Although Lumière was trained in painting from a young age, he could not resist the allure of the booming photography trend. At that time, he founded a photo studio in France based on his exceptional artistic skills. And this Le Fran, which will be unveiled at the Beijing International Photography Week, is...
According to historical records, it was precisely thanks to the encouragement of their photography-loving father that the Lumière brothers had the opportunity to continually experiment with combining photography and film, ultimately making the invention of cinema possible.
Poster for the 2016 Beijing International Photography Week
On this occasion, Bird Sohu (Fengniao Network) collaborated with artist Mr.Cai Yuan to bring one of his treasured lenses, cherished for many years, to the 2016 Beijing International Photography Week. Titled “In the Noon There Is an End—Cai Yuan’s Photography Collection Exhibition,” this exhibition not only showcases this “Divine Lens of the Cosmos” but also features numerous top-tier large-format cameras and lenses. In addition, the event will present photography works by Mr. Cai Yuan himself as well as over 50 pieces from the Arles Photography Festival that he has collected.
As the first equipment exhibition to appear at the Beijing International Photography Week, it will also be the first time in China that top-tier large-format cameras are displayed. If you are interested in large-format photography, be sure to visit the China Millennium Monument in Beijing from October 15 to 23, 2016, to personally experience the visual feast where equipment and art come together through the joint efforts of Mr. Cai Yuan and Bird Sohu (Fengniao Network).
In the Noon There Is an End—Cai Yuan’s Photography Collection Exhibition
Curator: Liu Nian
Producer: Bird Sohu (Fengniao Network)
Organizers: Photography Technology and Equipment Committee of the China Photographers Association, China Artistic Photography Society, Beijing Photography Art Association
Co-organizers: Beijing No. 5 Studio Photography Center, Beijing Photography Enthusiasts Association
Exhibition dates: October 15–23, 2016
Exhibition venue: North Hall, 2nd Floor, Section A, China Millennium Monument, No. 9A Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Tons of photography tips and practical equipment recommendations
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