Farmers in Jilin capture life through their lenses

Over the past 20 years, more than 80 farmers in Jiaohe, Jilin province, have used their cameras to record daily life and changes in rural areas.

Qi Shuang, 67, a farmer in Laqian village, has taken tens of thousands of photos since buying his first camera 30 years ago. His interest in photography started during the 1980s, when he worked as a movie projectionist for outdoor movies in nearby villages.

"When I watched the beautiful scenery presented by documentary films, I wondered whether I could record them too," he said. "But a camera was a luxury for a rural family."

Qi spent nearly three years saving 100 yuan by selling piglets and calves.

Despite opposition from his wife, he spent the money on a camera that started his photographic journey.

"You may have no idea about the amount of money at that time. That was a sum of several months' living expenses for my family," he said. "I really wanted to record the precious moments of my life and the beautiful scenery in my hometown."

He began by walking around nearby rural areas in his spare time, taking photos of whatever he found interesting. In 2000, he held his first photo exhibition with the support of the city's cultural center. It encouraged him to take more photos and improve his skills.

Qi has received more than 100 awards, from the county to national levels, which gave him a sense of pride.