Crying their hearts out

Hsu Shengyuan's photography works are on display at Beijing's Today Art Museum. [Photo provided to China Daily]

When she sat in front of Hsu's camera, she told one of her unforgettable stories, which she buried in her heart for years: Her aunt, who raised her, had passed away when she was 13.

"It was the first time that I saw such a close family member stop breathing and leave me forever," Tse says. "I hid my emotion and never told it to anyone, including my mom. But when I talked to Hsu, I could recall the moment clearly. I cried for a long time unconsciously.

"We have to wear masks every day and pretend to be smiling. The experience was such a relief for me."

According to Hsu, 80 percent of the girls cried because of a breakup. "They just couldn't let it go. But I am glad to see that some girls wrote me letters and said they feel much better now," the photographer says.

Among all the photos showcased in the exhibition, a photo of Hsu's ex-girlfriend is very special to him. In the photo, a short-haired, big-eyed girl cries with tears falling down her cheeks.

"We broke up three months ago. I wanted to take her to the exhibition but things changed," Hsu says. "So, personally, I am connected to those photos, which witness my life change. I hope the viewers can feel their tears at that moment while watching the silent, motionless photos."

Since the project is nonprofit, Hsu has also worked for several high-profile clients to make ends meet, such as capturing behind-the-scenes photographs of Ma Ying-jeou, the mayor of Taipei, during the re-election campaign in 2012. He also cooperated with fashion magazines, such as GQ Taiwan, to shoot commercial photos.

As a sequel to Crying Girls, Hsu's next project is Angry Men, in which he will photograph men losing their temper in front of the camera. He also plans to take photos of his parents and their memorable places, such as the places where they first dated and held their wedding.

"It's shameful that though I am a photographer, I have never taken photos of my parents," Hsu says. "I am not an ambitious person. I just want to capture the real moment and tell the story behind it. If you feel moved by my photographs, I am fulfilled."