Dr. Mark Nan Tu

Updated on July 20, 2008

When I was in the US, I used to buy all photography equipment online via a few trusted vendors such as www.amazon.com, www.ritzcamera.com etc. When I started to live in China in 2004, I had to find a local vendor who can sell the real camera equipment at a reasonable price.

I soon discovered that the Photography Equipment City (the website in Chinese) in Wukesong intersection on the west 4th ring road of Beijing is the place to go for all my photography needs. They sell all the popular camera and lenses at almost the same price as amazon or ritz), mostly with manufacture warranty.

1: Beijing 798 Art District

Accessibility:5star
Best Photographic season:All Year Round
798 is an art district, similar to New York’s SOHO district and Minneapolis’ River Walk. The factories were built in 1950s and had German style architecture. Most of the factories in 798 went out business in the 1980s and have left empty through out 1990s. Since 2002, individual artists started to rent empty factory floors and turn them into show rooms. However, most of the activities were grassroots and the rumor of immediate demolition of the area was always on the background of the area development. In 2006, Beijing municipal government decided to put in resources to build this area not only as show rooms for individual artist but as a creative and design center for clothing manufacturers. Today, this area is filled with artist

I went for a free model shooting event in Beida (Beijing University). I have never had the luxury to shoot a model in the US as I always thought that they are very expensive. I began to participate in events organized by the local photography communities even since I returned to Beijing in 2004.

There are many good looking young girls who are interested in becoming a model. They will need professional photo albums. The local photography community also needs these girls as their practicing models. Therefore, there are people who organize such practicing events. I have been to a few