The History Of Huashe

In 1920s and 1930s under the influence of New Culture Movement, China’s urban intelligentsia began to explore the art of photography. They frequently took photos, started clubs, organized exhibitions, published magazines and yearbooks, etc. With their effort, photography, once a mere tool of mechanical reproduction, developed into a media of art creation. It is the first prosperous period in the history of China’s photography, which has laid the foundation of modern photography in China.The boom of photography clubs was a typical phenomenon in that period. Their practice caused some social impact and helped popularize the art of photography. During that time, clubs in and around Shanghai were most active, among which Huashe (Photographic Society of China or Shanghai Saloon) was a representative. Huashe organized several exhibitions and published two photography magazines. With its outstanding achievement and powerful social network, it became a leader in China’s photography world then.However, these photography clubs are ignored by many scholars. Case study is rare. Historical materials cited are often second-hand. Therefore, this paper aims to draw a complete picture of Huashe-a representative club in 1920s and 1930s-by collecting, organizing and analyzing first-hand materials. Based on these historical facts, it attempts to figure out Huashe’s role and influence in the history of China’s photography.