What was the thing that got you started in photography?

In my high school, every student had to choose an afterschool club to join. I chose the photography club, and after a year, our president asked me if I would like to teach a class in the club, he thought I was talented. This gave me a lot of confidence and made me start to take photography seriously.

What has photography taught you about yourself?

It made me realize my uniqueness and infinite possibilities as an individual.

How would you describe your aesthetic? What have your eyes been drawn to lately?

I often hear people who know me say, “This is definitely your work, it gave me the same feeling as you.” Interestingly, I don’t fully understand this myself, so perhaps I would call it “My” aesthetic?

In recent years, I have been obsessed with unremarkable everyday objects. Since last year, I have been visiting a second-hand shop every few weeks to pick up various “trash” that others no longer want. When I get back to the studio, I sort and randomly combine them. I really enjoy this intuitive creative process and am excited about exploring the possibilities of objects.

Can you share the most unusual or unexpected thing that has happened to you while shooting photos?

I prefer to shoot alone and often feel a bit awkward accepting help from others, so my parents are my best assistants. Sometimes, they show curiosity about the strange little sculptures I make at home, but most of the time they just respond to my requests, driving me to locations and assisting me on-site. One day, I bought many gloves to make a small sculpture for Soft Wall. When my mom saw all those gloves, her first reaction was to ask if she could give the leftovers to my grandpa. When I heard that, I laughed, and a voice popped into my head, “Ah, this is the reality, this is life! Hahaha.”

If you had a personal motto, what would it be? What are your words to live by?

Nothing ever grows, nothing ever fades, everything passes, then is forgotten. Stay true to myself.

What is your favourite photo book right now?

Martina Zanin’s “I Made Them Run Away”

What is your favourite camera to shoot with these days?

I bought a Mamiya RZ67 last year, and since then, I have hardly used other
cameras.

Complete this sentence: For me, photography is…

… a long, dim tunnel where I can see another me standing at the end.

What is one thing you want to accomplish this next year?

Find a job!

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime?

Know more.

Ning Cheng’s Website

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Capture Photography Festival Website

Capture Photography Festival Instagram