Under Shekou's streetlights, shadows turn into subjects

A nighttime street photography workshop drew nearly 30 Chinese and international photography enthusiasts to explore Shekou after dark Tuesday night.

Frankie Bina (C) engages with fellow photography enthusiasts during Tuesday’s creative workshop in Shekou. Photos courtesy of Shekou MSCE

Organized by the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (Shekou MSCE), the workshop was led by Czech photographer Frantisek (Frankie) Bina. Using black-and-white photography techniques, participants set out to capture Shekou’s nocturnal character and exchange creative ideas across cultures.

Photographer Frankie Bina (3rd R) shares tips with participants before leading a nighttime photo walk through Shekou on Tuesday.

Frankie opened with a brief survey of masters such as Josef Koudelka and Fan Ho before moving on to practical advice. He demonstrated camera settings like aperture priority and discussed simple smartphone techniques, such as locking exposure to control highlights and shadows for stronger black-and-white images.

After the classroom session, the group walked from Nanshui Pedestrian Street to Nanhai E-Cool, shooting as they went. A local enthusiast who identified herself as Pang said the exercise changed how she sees familiar places. “I often visit Shekou, but I’ve never noticed how dramatic the shadows in these corners are. Black and white makes a familiar place feel unfamiliar and captivating.”

Nipuna Makalanda (2nd R) and other participants take a break to chat and shoot during the street photography workshop. 

Nipuna Makalanda, a participant from Sri Lanka, described a similar revelation. “After trying black-and-white shots tonight, I realized composition and light matter so much more. It makes me want to buy a camera and practice more,” he said.

The evening mixed technical tips with a lively, multilingual atmosphere — shutter clicks, laughter, and conversations in several languages could be heard as participants experimented with framing, contrast, and mood. The Shekou MSCE said the purpose of the event was as much about cultural exchange and community-building as it was about for technical instruction.

Participants enjoy a light-hearted moment during Tuesday night’s photography walk in Shekou.

Participants capture shots of a model during the nighttime photography session in Shekou on Tuesday.

The workshop was part of the Shekou Expats’ Night School program. The program will continue in November with cultural experience classes in Chinese ink painting, traditional musical instruments, and calligraphy, offering expats more opportunities to engage with Chinese artistic traditions.