Perface Only when you are ready
I first met Zongyou in March 2010 during the NPC/CPPCC session. I was working in Xinhua News Agency as head of the photography section and was on duty at the press center in the Great Hall of the People. He was quite a devoted photographer as I'd always see him immerse himself in the work. In April 2010, he came to my office for advice before his being transferred to Yunnan branch. We talked about how to express the uniqueness in Yunnan and cover the development in ethnic region. Yang was very humble and took notes of every recommendation.On Nov. 4, 2011, the 21st China Press Awards and the National Excellent Pressman awarding ceremony were held in Beijing. Zongyou won the second prize of the China Press Awards by his work shot in the Asian Games which he named “match” showing the tension in the match as well as the matching desire of making friends afterwards. I shared my congratulations to him as his constant endeavor finally paid back. Only when you are ready can you seize the opportunity and make a difference.
The album from Athens to London embodies years of works that Yang produced interviewing three consecutive Olympic Games and various sports competitions. As a correspondent photographer, covering local political, economic, social and cultural news was his assignment. The agency would dispatch a group of photographers to cover the whole event whenever there was a grand game home or abroad. After years of practice, Yang became one of the core members in sports photography team and has been regularly sent to cover big sports stories around the globe and his works were always well received.This album collected Yang's photographs of three Olympic Games and other sports events throughout these years. Each of the photos demonstrates his devotion and passion, of which Flying in Water, The Chen-Fei Jump, Super Dan, etc are all impressive and sensitive products. Not only did he focus on the struggling moments, but he displayed the noble spirit of athletes. His superb photographic skills were totally unveiled by the album.During an intense match, a photographer should bear excellent techniques to make perfect pictures, and it is far from an easy job. His rich experiences granted him the excellence to capture astonishing moments which could slip away quite easily. It is obvious that Yang has injected those moments with emotion. Go Team China, The Rings, Dad won - his photographs sculptured the joy, the passion and the whole atmosphere and made them eternal memories.
Zongyou dedicated his experience in sports photography to Athens to London.I wish him a creative and productive future on the road of photography.
President of China Photographers Association Wang Yao
August, 26, 2013 Beijing