by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 16th of December 2024

To Xuedong Bai, photography has become his greatest hobby, but also an important part of his life. Practicing photography in recent years has not only increased his knowledge, enriched his experience, and broadened his vision. It also brought a feeling of happiness to his body and mind and enriched his leisure life. Discover more about the man behind his images through this interview.

'Cast the fishing net'

'Taotie feast'

Dear Xuedang Bai, first I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! To begin, please introduce yourself shortly and tell us more about you, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!

My name is Bo Xuedong (online name Winter Snow), a photographer from China, member and director of the Atlantic Photographers Association (APA). I have been involved in photography for eight years, and I particularly like bird photography and insect macro photography. In the past two years, I have been a little obsessed by a more minimalist style and black and white images. Many of my works have won gold medals in PSA, GUP and AUP in many international photography competitions. Apart from my passion of photography, I also like to cook and practising physical exercises.

'Sea cages'

'Trestle Bridge'

'Honey, please, fly slowly'

When and how did you start your photographic journey?

The initial decision to learn photography as a new interest has been a crazy eight years. From the beginning I learned to take insect macros, and then I learned a lot about bird photography. Gradually I entered the field of ecological photography. From long exposures on small coastal scenes and approaching black and white images, I gradually entered the ranks of landscape photography. After continuous learning, trying and enriching myself, photography has gained a lot and I'm proud of the good results I've achieved.

'Common Snipe'

'Three-cone weevil

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship with photography?

Along the way, photography has become not only my greatest hobby, but also an important part of my life. Practicing photography in recent years has increased my knowledge, enriched my experience, and broadened my vision, it's also brought a feeling of happiness to my body and a calm state of mind. I rely only on hard self-study, humble consultation, repeated practice, perseverance and gradually more satisfaction. Photography has also activated my artistic skills, proved my ability to appreciate, and enriched my leisure life.

'Lotus'

What would be the most important experience so far that has influenced your steps in photography?

Looking back on my eight years of photography, I can say that three things have had a huge impact on my photography. First, the Snapseed software to learn PS drawing, which absolutely improved the quality of my work. Second, joining the China Bird Net and participating in international competitions, which boosted my confidence. Third, after joining the Atlantic Film Association (APA), learning from Larry Deng's lecture, learning new techniques and discovering new ideas to reach a higher level.

'Quiet beauty'

You have your own style, but your work is very diverse. I see long exposure photography, animal photography and more. Can you explain why?

When I first started learning photography, I liked many subjects and finally chose my favourites: bird photography and insect macros. I broke through one after the other. After being in close contact with the sea for the last two years, I discovered long exposure photography and it has become my favourite now. At the same time, I also tried to shoot still life and other subjects suitable for long exposure photography. I'm striving for simplicity and perfection in composition, but also to express my feelings through black and white images. It brings me joy and also reveals the magic in capturing and expressing.

'still life'

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?

Good work and a perfect technique are essential, but the emotion and story behind the image is even more important. I like bird photography, macro photography, minimal long exposures and black and white photography, but I always pay attention to the feeling of the moment. Whatever the subject, I want to tell a story and express the emotional impact. So when you are photographing animals, you have to go deep into their territory and find the plants that live there, and you have to know them in order to capture those wonderful moments. In bird photography, for example, you have to go into their migratory route and their environment to freeze them. And with the sea, you have to master the changes of the tides and find the perfect combination with the weather to capture a minimalist work of the sweeping sea to tell stories and express emotions.

'dock'

What generally is your relationship to your subject matter beyond being an observer?
Do you prepare carefully the locations where you are intending to photograph?

For the vast majority of photographers, the purpose of photography is to create works rather than simply to record. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a shooting location according to the subject. No matter what the subject is, the aim of the shot will become clearer and clearer. Depending on the time of year and the season, I may go back to the same place several times to capture different scenes and capture different emotions. For example, I have often chosen Ganjingzi Beach in Dalian in spring. To photograph insects, I went to Liujiahe in Dandong at least 10 times in summer and autumn for four consecutive years. To take long exposures of the sea, I go to the same place many times to capture different moments according to the tides and seasons.

'Dew dragonfly'

Can you please tell us something more about your workflow from the idea to the final product?

Because I love meaningful and attractive photographs, I have slowly improved my skills and developed my own style. When creating an image, I pay a lot of attention to light and shadow. I always try to choose the best time to capture light and shadow, and render them at a later stage of editing. Artistic editing can enhance the three-dimensional sense of the image. Second, I want to express the atmosphere by working on the light, colours and composition during the editing process to enhance different atmospheric feelings and emotions. The third point is to control the scale to determine the strength of the artistic expression.

'net cage'

'Building a Love Nest together'

Where do you look to find inspiration and what inspires you the most?

Finding inspiration is an ongoing process that requires curiosity, openness and a spirit of exploration. Inspiration often comes from the more subtle moments of life. As long as you feel the world with your heart, you will find beauty everywhere. Observation, appreciation of master photographers, browsing artworks, communication and exchange with photographic partners, inspiration from professional photography classes... all these allow me to find inspiration, creative enthusiasm, ideas.

'West Lake View'

Many are of the opinion that the gear is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. However, can you please share with us what gear you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod,etc.)?

My main equipment for bird photography is a Canon 1DX camera + Canon 600mm lens + Home Credit 5 tripod. The main equipment for insect photography is Canon 5D camera + Canon 60mm + Canon 65mm + 180mm lens + TuFubao tripod + Madman macro flash. The main equipment for marine photography is the SONY A7R3 camera + SONY 24-105mm lens + TuFubao tripod + Nisi filter system. No matter what kind of equipment you choose, you must be familiar with the performance of the camera and other equipment, skilfully control the equipment, and play with the three elements of exposure, only in this way you will not miss any opportunity of excellent photographs.

'Ephemera'

What would be your favorite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.

This is a beautiful image of the Tiger's Head Sea Eagle and the White-tailed Sea Eagle taken in 2018. This was the first time I won the PSA Gold Medal in the international photography competition. It is my most awarded work in the national and international photography competition and it is my favourite bird photography work. A tiger-headed sea eagle has just come down and stepped on the white-tailed sea eagle, which is eating alone. At this very moment, the two kings are fighting fiercely. The precise focus, the appropriate exposure, the lucky angle and other elements freeze this extraordinary moment of this battle.

'Fight to the death'

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose works have influenced you and your photography?

I spent more than two years learning about long exposure photography and gained a lot of ideas and shooting skills. I am still fascinated by my minimalist black and white works overlooking the sea, which also lead me to express my feelings in black and white. In the last two years since I joined the Atlantic Photography Association (APA), I have been in contact with many photography masters and teachers who have given me a lot of help. I have learnt a lot from the exchange of work and experience organised by the Association. I particularly like the work of Larry Deng. He changed my concept of photography. He also introduced me to black and white photography and taught me how to deal with honest records and artistic expression.

'restle Bridge'

Now, since we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would kindly ask you to share with us your plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.

In the future, I would like to continue to explore minimalist black and white photography, but also rediscover macro photography, get out of the confines, go out into nature. I would also like to try high-speed photography (e.g. the collision of water droplets) to enrich my photographic experience.

'Metamorphosis'

Is there anything else you wish to add and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?

Since I became a member of 1x, I browse through different categories every day and focus on learning from excellent work.
1x is not only a platform for photographers to share their best work, but also a channel for photographers to learn from experience and get inspiration, and a cradle to cultivate their creativity. I'm very fond of 1x and will always roam it, improving my skills and happily playing with the art of photography!

'Qingshan Lake'

Finally, I would like to thank the whole 1X team and members for their encouragement and recognition. And thanks to my dear Yvette for giving me the opportunity for this interview.

'Fierce battle'