Photography of Thomas Li featured in the upcoming issue of The Talon

As the son of a professional photographer, fourth former Thomas Li spent a lot of time around cameras growing up, and eventually he began taking photos of his own. He documented his adventures from his home city of Guangzhou, China to Kathmandu, Nepal to Hoi An, Vietnam. The following is a compilation of images both personal and observational, showing diversity of content but consistency in style. Thomas’s skill certainly has not gone unnoticed; in 2020 Thomas won a Scholastic Gold Key in the Southeast Region for his picture titled Who’s Inside. The captions for these images were written by the editors after interviewing and consulting with Thomas.

^ Fisherman

During his winter break five years ago, Thomas traveled with his family to Hoi An, a famous small town on the eastern coast of Vietnam, to attend the annual Lunar New Year festival. Fishermen line the river throughout the festival, offering tourists an opportunity to ride boats through the town as a way to see every part of the colorful celebration.

Bagh-Chal >

During a week off from school for National Day, a day commemorating the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Thomas traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal. He came across two men playing Bagh-Chal, a strategy-based board game that closely resembles chess in which two players take turns moving pieces on the board.

Mouth Shut

Thomas found these statues awaiting purchase outside of a factory in Guangzhou, China. Lion statues are commonly placed in front of homes and government buildings as protection and a symbol of good luck. The bags on the lion’s faces protect their features from erosion until the figures are purchased and installed.

^ Sunset

While celebrating the Lunar New Year in Vietnam, Thomas came across a candle vendor in a boat. Vendors sell the candles to tourists to put into the river as a way to pray for good luck. On the street above the river is a traditional flea market filled with celebratory wares for sale.

Prayers >

In his hometown of Guangzhou, China, Thomas visited Guangxiao, a temple famous for its beauty and history. In this photo someone is burning incense, which is done to show reverence to the dead. These prayers connect families to those who have passed away.

Look

Similar to Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year celebrates the first new moon of the lunar calendar. Lantern Festival, the final day of Chinese New Year, is observed differently throughout China, and in Guangzhou, Thomas and his family celebrate by going to the local park. Pictured is Thomas’s father and younger sister as they watch the annual light show in the park, a colorful finale to the holiday.

Who’s Inside

Using a film camera on the streets of Guangzhou, China, Thomas took two photos on the same piece of film, meshing the two images together. The overexposed result places a photo of two girls on a narrow street on top of a photo of an elderly couple, creating an image both literally and metaphorically multi-layered. It is impossible to look at this piece only once.