Sunlight Photo Studio: Connecting Memories Across Time

Photo and reproduced photo by Cindy Lee

【◎Written by Li Siao-ping ◎Translation by Lin Yu-ciao ◎Photos and reproduced photos by Cindy Lee】

In a bygone era when cameras were a luxury and mobile phones were yet to be invented, a visit to a photo studio was a momentous occasion. The Sunlight Photo Studio（日光照相馆）in the Shanlin District has now closed its doors and, with it, a treasure trove of memories. The daughter of the studio’s owner, Jhang Chun-siang（张春香）, has painstakingly preserved the old photographs as a testament to her family's legacy. These include ID photos, wedding photos, and other nostalgic snapshots. These precious black-and-white images chronicle the Chimei area’s early development and other significant moments in people's lives.

Reproduced photo by Cindy Lee

One of Jhang Chun-siang’s most vivid memories was the day when a customer entered the studio with a bruised and swollen face smeared with soy sauce and condiments. It turned out he had just been in a fight. At that time, the police station didn't have cameras, so taking photos for evidence was also one of Jhang Ren-kuei’s jobs.

In his spare time, he enjoyed taking his camera on motorcycle rides, capturing countless moments of his family and himself. In doing so, he documented an era of the streets and daily life.

Reproduced photo by Cindy Lee

Jhang Ren-kuei's photography is like a window into the past, capturing the timeless landscapes of his era. His daughter, with a heart full of memories, plans to continue exhibiting his old photographs at the original site of Sunlight Photo Studio. This will allow the public to step into a visual time machine, rekindling their own stories and revisiting the Chimei area's development throughout the years.

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