Beijing-based photographer Eric Guo’s photographs are classical, beautiful and alluring. Here we feature an essay of 24 photographs from his 美撒 project, accompanied by an exclusive interview with Invisible Photographer Asia.

Your 美撒 photographs are beautiful and alluring.  Can you tell us more about them  - where and when were the photographs taken?
Eric Guo: This series was taken in 2007 in LiangShan County, Western China, where an old ethnic group – the Yi, live.

What did you use to take these photographs?
I use a Mamiya RB67 and a Mamiya C330, with black and white film. These are my favourites to shoot with.

There is a strong signature and style to your photographs, care to tell us more about your technique and the way you work?
I like to shoot with film. Everytime I remove film from my camera, I feel very excited – just like a farmer  harvesting his crops. When I shoot outdoors, I bring a camera, a bag and over 10 (about 20 to 30) rolls of film. I also bring a tripod to ensure my images are clear. The tripod is somewhat lightweight. I also like shooting in confusing night lights, get onto China’s cheapest hard seat trains and sit through over 40 hours of bumpy rides. I like rainy weather as I can never forget such times! The beauty of living 3000 feet above sea level is that you are able to see all four seasons in a year, the drizzle of the rain and mist, and the kind, hardworking Yi villagers in pleated skirts. After each shoot, I cannot seem to forget what I had just experienced. I do not care for style, but the things I’m very loyal to are my subjects and emotions. I would never force my own ideas onto a picture.  Also, I am not opposed to editing the outcome of the shots, because for your subjects, proper editing will allow your work of art to show greater appeal.

Do you only shoot 6×6? And why?

Actually, I shoot 6×7 more, but 6×6 is like a Chinese courtyard.

How long have you been taking photographs?
How can I say this? Collectively, I’ve been doing this for the past five years.

Can you tell us more about yourself – background, work, origins…?
I was born in rural Northern China and parents are very humble and honest people. I got admitted into the Provincial Fine Arts School in 2002, then enrolled in Beijing Tsinghua Academy of Fine Arts Education. I have spent my life drifting in Beijing ever since. I’m currently freelance = unemployed, but that’s a life I’ve chosen – very much like a child a parent wouldn’t give up on. If photography isn’t fun, then I wouldn’t do it in my next life – I would take my time here now as an experience instead.

Are there other places or people you would like to photograph?
Chinese people love their country very, very much! I’ll wait till conditions permit and measure every inch of land in China with film!

How long have you worked on this project and is this the end of it?
I only began this project in 2004 and have completed a small portion of it.

Any parting words for other photographers?
Find inspiration in yourself! Thank you!

To see more photographs from Eric Guo, visit his Flickr Stream

All photographs/art are the property of the credited photographer and creator with all rights reserved.