I want to capture changes in Shenzhen

I moved to Shenzhen in 2017 because of my Chinese girlfriend, who is now my wife. I was guided here by love. Shenzhen is changing so much because when I first came here years ago, Shenzhen was a different place. I want to capture these changes.

Many people think there’s nothing in Shenzhen, and it is so artificial. But actually, if you go around the city, you will find that each district is a bit different, and you will start learning about the rich history of the city.

From ancient villages inhabited for generations to welcoming local communities nestled amid historic buildings from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the city holds myriad stories within its changing landscape.

For me, it is just this excitement of going around the city that leads you to learn this area. Sometimes you just learn around these places and then from time to time you visit them again in different lights, in different conditions, to really see how they go through the year.

I want to document this transformation and capture the essence of Shenzhen’s evolution. There are so many local communities that were moved away or their place changed so much over time that you cannot recognize it anymore. A big example is Baishizhou. It’s nowadays like the future construction of modern living. The old Baishizhou is just gone.

I believe in the importance of preserving these moments in time, immortalizing the past for future generations to witness the vibrant life that once thrived here.