What sparks fly when a photography class meets the rustic countryside? On October 30, fifty photography students from the School of Art and Design at Shanghai University of Engineering Science stepped off campus and into the "Design Harvests 3.0" zone at Changlou Village, Cheduen Town, embarking on a unique outdoor photography practice session to experience the beauty of rural life and capture its fleeting moments.
The first stop was Aode Farm. The pastoral landscape, veiled in a light drizzle, held a unique charm that ignited the students' enthusiasm. The crisp sounds of camera shutters mingled with the rain, capturing dewdrops glistening on vegetable leaves and the radiant smiles of children playing in the greenhouse—these vibrant scenes became perfect subjects. "The natural scenery and interactive moments at the farm were incredibly rewarding. We not only gathered material but also found inspiration for our creative work," shared Zhao Jiayi, a third-year photography student, with excitement.
After immersing in the farm's greenery, the group moved on to the Dingniangzi Fabric Art Museum, an intangible cultural heritage learning base. Outside, golden rice fields swayed in the breeze; inside, exquisite fabric artworks were quietly displayed. Earrings, cloth bags, sachets... a variety of handicrafts became novel "models" for the students' lenses. Shi Minhui intently documented every detail of the master artisan's weaving process. "These intricate fabric works are eye-opening. As a photography student, I feel a strong urge to create," she expressed.
The final stop was the Xiangdi Art Center, a demonstration zone for the Technology and Film Hub. The pure white structure stood out strikingly against the sky, complemented by well-placed art sculptures, creating a captivating scene. Students wandered through, constantly seeking the best angles to capture the interplay of architecture and light.
This field trip served as a practical research visit by the photography department into the "Design Harvests 3.0" initiative. Xie Tian, deputy head of the photography department, emphasized the value of such hands-on sessions: "This kind of fieldwork deepens students' understanding of local culture while honing their professional skills—allowing them to grasp key aspects of the photographic process and develop their practical application abilities."