A Glimpse into the Real Lives of Past Chinese

Situated in the famous Panjiayuan Collection Market, Da Kang Photography Studio carries old photos taken by the shop owner Kang Xuesong. Mr. Kang, a retired Beijing newspaper photojournalist, opened his own studio three years ago. He is worldly renowned, winning awards at many international photography competitions such as Nikon, Canon, and Asian Elegant Demeanor, and has held many personal photographic exhibitions.

The shop features many of Mr. Kang’s more than one hundred thousand photos. They not only have humanistic and historical values, but also can be decorative.

The sign above the entrance reads Da Kang She Ying, or Da Kang Photography. Photos cover every wall inside, filling up the whole shop. All the photos are black and white, taken by film cameras, developed and enlarged by hand. The pictures are divided into several categories: ordinary people’s lives, ethnic minority figures, folk customs, Beijing’s old lanes, and various sceneries.

I found several pictures very memorable. A photo featuring an old Tibetan woman’s tanned face, densely covered with deep wrinkles, her lusterless eyes looking into the camera, really moved me. As a native Beijinger, the pictures of old Beijing, especially the old neighborhoods and courtyards, brought back many old memories of my younger days. Some customers enjoyed the old wedding pictures of local people. Seeing what old Beijingers wore during their wedding ceremonies.

Mr. Kang sells 12”, enlarged pictures on paperboard or mounted. Price ranges from RMB 100 to RMB 200. You will certainly find these photos really attractive and impressive.

What I appreciated

Old black and white photos about real life.

What customers appreciate

Beautiful professional old photos, very moving, huge selection.