Endless Art without Rules

In the beginning of 2012, when I was sorting out the corporate culture collections, I saw some photos that I took in the late 70s and calendars made of them which reminded me my time in San Francisco. I was participating in business activities and made use of leisure time to express my feeling with camera. I remembered shooting maple leaves during a training in Ohio State University organized by the State Council in 1980s. Memories kept pouring in that when I was busy observing and studying abroad I'd still make time to photograph the beautiful sceneries in the States which I can't cherish more. Certain regrets as there were in my past photographing experience, it aroused my interest in studying the enterprise culture and photography culture after I reached sixty and retired.

In 2007 and 2008, I traveled twice to the States to photograph in Alaska, Wyoming, Montana and other places. In southeastern Alaska I took a propeller aircraft flying at an altitude of over 5500 meters to photograph the snowcapped peak of Denali. Later that, we landed on Denali glacier and the trip was so breathtaking that I shall never forget. In 2009, I met some friends from Sichuan and Beijing who were also enthusiastic photographers. Then we started our first photography trip driving and shooting in the west of America. During the 25-day trip, we traveled day and night for over 6000 kilometers, of which we walked over a hundred kilometers on wild mountain roads, washboard roads and gravel riverbed roads. We took photos of Waves Valley, Horseshoe Bay, Death Valley, Indians’ simple monument and other scenic spots. We kept exploring and discovering the beauty of the land all along the trip. The trip was extremely exhausting, but apart from that we've harvested passion, surprise and gratification. Being able to accomplish these professional photographs in my sixties, I felt the beauty and dedication of photography. It also gave me a chance to appreciate the beauty and spirit of a wild western America and comprehend the magnificent nature. The resemblance was uncanny that experiencing every step forward in desert and every obstacle in my over-40-year career. And that’s why the satisfaction was so strong. It occurred to me that were I not to shoot more beautiful sceneries, I would regret even more in my seventies.

In the first half of 2010, on Fasten Group Photography Annual Meeting, I learned that a Beijing photographer had driven along the tracks of American photographer David Muench and Australian master Patrick to film the west. This once again intrigued me, as then honored “the senior”, to shoot in western America so that my long yearning would be fulfilled. This time I made detailed recollection and records based on the past two trips so that I can share the them with everyone. On October 18, 2011, the trip began as planned and we came back on November 12th. During the 27-day trip in west America, we traveled 8707 kilometers through seven states including Oregon, California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Hawaii. During the journey, with safety being assured, we focused more on photography. We prepared abundant rice and bread before the start and always chose to live in small inns. Our food was mainly self-made. No fancy cuisine yet simple homemade dishes and rice were pretty delicious to us. We sticked to the planned route, though several adjustments were made, and took photos at will.

I had been to Mono Lake before but due to bad weather I hadn't got the opportunity to photo the alluring reflection of the sunglow there. But this time, my dream came true. The lighthouse at sunrise of Mono Lake realized my dream and eased my regret. At the world’s biggest Bryce Canyon, though I'd had great photographs of it the last time, this time, except for adding its views under sunrise and sunset, I went down to the bottom to accomplish my wish of filming along the rugged paths. We've shot Toketee Falls, Mossbrae Falls, Proxy Falls, Metlako Falls, Punch Bowl Falls and Silver Falls along the trip. Although I had shot Niagara Falls and Iguassu Falls before, this time we were photographing in virgin forests and it was quite tough. We've experienced early startup when there was no sun, driving for miles where danger accompanied, walking for hours where there was no people at all and being on cliffs where even no animals would appear so as to find the best angle. It was through those fabulous angles that I was able to appreciate the photography masters’ wisdom, courage and greatness. Only after all the perseverance and persistence can someone encounter the marvelous beauty of nature. We managed to take the so called “Egg Garden”, which was a bit like rare rock mountains in China. It took us miles of walk through desert and grassland to get there. And when we returned, it was total dark. We could barely see but walk on the rocks by consciousness, yet the extraordinary lighting effect was beyond words. We were so touched that we savored the harmonious nature with us in it. What a gift and treasure to mankind! Lake Tahoe is over 500 meters deep. Its views in sunrise and sunset were like gorgeous paintings. The water was so pure and its reflection of the long lakeshore and mountains was exquisite. In the trip we luckily came across some cowboys with their herd. We had photographed similar scenes in Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia, but this time, it surprised us the most. The dust kicked up by the running horses, the mountains, the forest and everything showed the passionate interaction between nature and creatures. On the south edge of the well-known Grand Canyon, or the so called “Mini Canyon”, in Colorado National Park, we bumped into a sudden heavy rain. And the following morning, we saw this majestic heavy snow which built a dream world. Last time I photographed scenic spots like Antelope Canyon and Yosemite, and this time, I was lucky enough to snap the beautiful colors of Zebra Canyon. Especially when it was at Bryce Canyon, Devil Garden and Goblin Valley State Park, loneliness among the mountains apart, we felt the perfection of the environment protection in America. We were totally lost in the miraculous mountains and rare rocks and inspired by the essence which American photography masters delivered by exploring this wild virgin land. In my opinion, a great scenic photograph is seventy percent luck, twenty percent wisdom and ten percent equipment. This trip in west America went on quite well thanks to our sincere attitude toward photography and thank god for all the luck that we've been granted.

To me, I have my unique pursuit on photography culture. With my aging, I always value safety the most so there will always be regrets. But when it comes to art, there is no rules. What we are pursuing is the uttermost joy, or certain distinct accomplishment in photography. I was honored to appreciate some masterpieces of famous American photographers. I enjoyed their precise capture of light and shadow, strict composition of the pictures and the simple style of color distributing. They were not trying to show the abstract or unusual but the natural and real, from which the genuine affection was emitted.

I selected some photos that I took during several trips in America and had this album Beautiful Images published to exchange experiences with everyone, share the hardship and joy from the trips and also share the greatness and beauty of this miraculous land. I hope that every waterfall, mountain, rare rock, beach, canyon or stream there would give you infinite imagination and desire of beauty, help you feel the ravishment with no strings attached and make you a relaxed, clear yet passionate mind.

Now, I want to say that art does not follow any rules and it is limitless. I’m an amateur in this and my aim of photography is to share, enjoy, and study with you all. With this album, we share beautiful life, affection and future together and we seek for poetic images of human and nature together. It is one small photograph that makes a glimpse to eternity. I hope you'll enjoy this album and thank you.

Zhou Jiansong / anuary, 2012

艺无法定 永无止境

龙年岁首，在整理企业文化收藏品时，看到了自己在上世纪七十年代末拍摄的一些摄影作品及用其制作的挂历，回想起当年在旧金山参加商务活动闲暇时，用佳能135胶卷相机拍摄来表达自己的感受。又回忆起了，在八十年代国务院机电办组织出口基地大型骨干企业家在俄亥俄州大学培训期间，我在校园拍摄枫叶时的情景。更使我回忆起，当年身在企业肩负重任，但出国考察时依然挤出时间在华盛顿州、纽约州等地拍摄了一些风光照片，留下了弥足珍贵的纪念。虽然也留下了一些遗憾，但却激发起了我在进入花甲之年，正式退居二线后，着重开始研究企业文化、摄影文化的生涯。

在2007年和2008年先后两次去阿拉斯加州、怀俄明州、蒙大拿州等地拍摄。在阿拉斯加州东南部乘坐螺旋桨飞机到高空5500多米拍摄德纳里雪峰，并登陆了德纳里冰川，行程有惊无险，使我记忆犹新，终生难忘。

2009年，结识了四川的影友和北京的企业家影友，开始了第一次驾车在美国西部的摄影之旅。25天里，我们披星戴月，晨起霞归，行程6000多公里，步行野外山路、搓衣板路、河床石子路上百公里，拍摄了波浪谷、马蹄湾、死亡谷、印第安人纯朴的纪念碑等风景地。一路探索，一路发现，拍摄过程异常辛苦，但油然而生的是一种激情，一种惊喜，一种欢慰。在这花甲之年能去拍摄这样比较专业的摄影作品使我感到摄影的美和执著，让我真正用心去感受了美国西部旷野的唯美和灵动，追求了摄影的自然境界和壮美画卷。在沙漠里每一步的艰难跋涉，相对我们企业发展40多年来的艰辛创业和再次创业都有着异曲同工之感，所以体会尤深。我想现在如果不去抓紧时间抓好机遇拍摄一些美好的作品，那将会在古稀之年回忆时留下更大的遗憾。

2010年上半年在法尔胜泓昇集团企业摄影年会上和北京企业家影友交流时得知，这位朋友在这两年中自行驾车沿着美国摄影大师大卫·明奇、法特力，澳籍大师皮特里克等的摄影轨迹，前往美国西部探索采风。吸引了已被大家称为“老爷子”的我，再次萌发去美国西部拍摄的期望，以此来弥补心中长久的牵挂……由于前两次的摄影记载较少，这次在我以前拍摄的基础上又作了比较详细的回忆和记录，从而把这次的摄影感悟与大家一起交流共享。

2011年10月18日由北京朋友的一辆车和我们租用的一辆雪弗莱车一起出发，并于11月12日顺利返回。历经27天的美国西部摄影之行，行程8707公里，途经美国西部11个州中的7个州，历经俄勒冈州、加利福尼亚州、犹他州、亚利桑纳州、内华达州、科罗拉多州、新墨西哥州及夏威夷。我们购买了相当于人民币800多元的大米、面包、橄榄菜等食品，以摄影点为中心，以安全为原则，以不挨饿为基础，以不计较住宿条件而沿途边拍边住被人们称为“霞客栈房”的客房，也相当于中国的汽车旅馆，伙食以自做为主，没有大鱼大肉，电饭煲里的米饭和自己做的小菜已是很美味可口的了。按照事先的拍摄行动计划方案，随机应变，随遇而拍。

上次虽已到访梦诺湖，但日出和晚霞的静态倒影由于天气原因没能拍到，心中的遗憾一直魂牵梦绕。这次去总算天随人愿，梦想成真，梦诺湖的日出灯塔更是了却了我的心愿，弥补了我的遗憾。在世界著名的布莱思峡谷，虽然上次去拍得也很不错，但这次除了能再增加日出和日落的一些景色外，我下峡谷去完成了来回步行十几里崎岖小径的摄影愿望。在拍摄图科梯瀑布、莫斯布瑞瀑布，普洛克希瀑布、麦特拉克瀑布、庞曲钵瀑布，还有银瀑时，都非常艰辛。虽然曾见过美国的尼加拉瓜大瀑布，更拍摄过巴西的伊瓜苏瀑布，但这次是在原始森林里拍摄。早晨伸手不见五指，驱车四十多公里的险程，来回步行二十几里路，行走于游人很少的悬崖峭壁，这里是美国摄影大师们发现的最佳拍摄点，同时也是他们热衷的拍摄风格，由此我领略了这些摄影大师们的智慧、胆魄和伟大，令我深感敬佩和震撼。为拍摄日出光线，在天气漆黑没有路的情况下我们沿着铁轨艰苦跋涉，沿途可能还会碰到正在行驶的列车，但看到了这个十分秀丽难以想象的瀑布时，才真正使人感到这原始森林瀑布的惊人壮观和宏伟。这次如愿地拍摄到了被美国人称之为“鸡蛋花园”的作品，它有点像中国的奇石山脉，需要走十几里的沙漠草地才能到达拍摄点。日落归来时已漆黑贴身，很多山脉岩石仅仅凭着感觉走，但那里的奇光异彩只能用心体会，难以言表，兴奋之余，感觉离天很近，天人合一，这是大自然的馈赠，是人类珍贵的财富。水深有500多米的塔霍湖，那里的日出和日落风景如画，湖面蓝色诱人，长长的湖岸山水相映，令人陶醉。一路上还特别幸运地偶遇了美国西部牛仔的转场。虽然之前在新疆、西藏、内蒙古等拍摄过多次，但这次拍摄的场景带给我的是有过之而无不及的惊喜，转场时那气势恢宏的群马在奔跑，扬起弥漫尘土的时刻，是山脉和胡杨林的缠绵，是生灵之间心的沟通。在被称为“袖珍大峡谷”的科罗拉多国家保护地和美国著名的大峡谷南缘，巧遇了在夜晚瞬间而至的滂沱大雨，第二天早晨日出时，又在初冬秋末来临中大雪纷飞的壮美场景中真正感受到了如梦如幻的美妙与兴奋。上次我在西部拍摄了羚羊谷、优胜美地等著名的景点，这次又幸运地增添了斑马谷的美丽色彩。特别是在布莱思峡谷、魔鬼花园、高布林，我们只有几个人的团队在这野山中虽然孤独，但使我们感到美国大自然环境保护是如此完美，完全被原生态的这种神奇山脉和奇石所吸引，更敬佩于美国摄影大师在开发这渺无人烟处女地中找到的摄影真谛。我认为风光摄影七分是运气，二分是悟性，一分是器材，也许是大家都有一颗对摄影真诚、虔诚的心，所以这次美国西部拍得很顺利，也很幸运，感谢上苍的恩赐。

对我来讲，摄影文化也有着自己的追求目标，但相对其他同行还有着不同的定位。随着年龄的上升，一切均以安全为原则，遗憾永远会有，艺无法定，追求的是一种愉悦心情的享受，至少在代价不大的情况下去取得一些摄影人别样的文化。这次有幸看到了美国著名摄影大师们的一些作品，更使我感到他们对一些光影拍摄的把握精准、构图严谨，色彩分布优美的朴实摄影作风。他们的摄影创作不是去追求所谓的异样抽象，雾里看花，而是崇尚自然，构图真实，让人们在欣赏他们作品时享受一种归真的亲切。

我把多次去美国拍摄的一些作品用不同的画幅表现方式出版了《美影》这本画册，和同仁们一起交流，共享美国之行的艰辛与欢快，共享这个神奇大地的宏伟与壮美，希望那里的一个瀑布、一条山脉、一块奇石、一片海滩、一座峡谷、一支水流……都能给大家带来无限的遐想和美的追求，感受到与利益无关的惬意享受，使自己心旷神怡，神清气爽，激情高昂。

这里，我想说，艺无法定，永无止境。我是一个业余的摄影文化爱好者，对文化摄影追求的目标就是大家共享、共赏、共议、共研、共乐，通过《美影》，和大家一起感受美的人生，美的情缘，美的未来，寻找人与人、人与自然、人与生活结合中富有诗情画意的形象，在光与影的交织中，定格成一幅幅难忘的记忆，让瞬间化为永恒！谢谢大家！

周建松

二○一二年元月

Professoriate senior engineer Zhou Jiansong was born on December 27, 1946 in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province. Mr. Zhou is the chairman of Fasten Group Co., Ltd, president of Enterprise Culture Exchange Association of Fasten Group, deputy president of Jiangsu Chinese Culture Promotion Society, president of Jiangyin Entrepreneurs Association. He is honored an Excellent Chinese Photographer, Honorary President of Tibetan Photographers Association and the member of Chinese Photographers Association. Zhou is selected as one of the Top 10 Photographers ‘Charm of Image’ Exhibition held by China Photographic Publishing House. He won the first prize among artists from China, Japan and Korea in the 15th BESETO Art Festival. Sponsored by Chinese Photographers Association, he held a personal photo exhibition of birds named Nature, Ecology, Gentle in National Art Museum of China and a personal photo exhibition named Eulogy to Creatures of Nature in China Pingyao International Photography Festival, which was also collected by Shanxi Provincial Archives. He also held photo exhibition about sceneries of Yunnan in China Xu Xiake International Tourism Festival. Sponsored by China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) and Chinese Photographers Association, Mr. Zhou won the Special Honor Award in both 2010 and 2011 in China Tibet Jolmo Lungma Photography Festival. His works have been selected into 2008, 2009 and 2011 China Photo Almanac. His master work Peaks upon Peaks won the Excellence Award in the 6th China Lucky Cup Photography Competition. He also won the top award in NIKON-BOC Cup China Photography Competition, the first prize in the First China Stock Photography Competition, and first prize in China Audit Office Photo Exhibition. Zhou’s main photography works include Zhou Jiansong’s Scenery Photographic Art, Portrait, Eulogy to Creatures of Nature, Cross the Rainbow, Amazing Peony & Lotus, Dance with Cranes, etc.