Feng Liu Chicago | Feng Liu Street Photography

I can't believe that I've been in Chicago for 25 years. I remember the first time I went downtown at Michigan Avenue and Chicago Avenue, I was so surprised to see so many people walking on the street. Such a crowd can only be seen in Shanghai. I was just wandering around, not knowing what I was going to do. I have no friends here, no connections. Initially, I planned to focus on my work as an engineer, not taking pictures. But I just couldn't resist the feeling and reaction in my heart. Every time I went to a famous local camera store, I only bought two rolls of film at a time, and I didn't have much money. People here didn't even look me straight because I was a small customer. Just one year later, my Chicago photos were exhibited for the first time at the Water Tower (city gallery) and the Chicago Cultural Center. They are both on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, right where I stood 25 years ago. So my photography work was recognized by Chicago. I couldn't believe that this was happening to me. Many friends told me, "God has a plan for you, and now your dream has come true." To be honest, when I came to Chicago, I never thought that my photos would be exhibited in a Chicago gallery. It just happened to me. It just happened. I like what Maya Lin said, "For me, the American Dream is being able to follow your own personal calling. It is incredibly freeing to be able to do what you want." If I was still in China 25 years ago, this would not have happened to me. I believe in this land of freedom, where you can dream and your dreams can come true. A good photo is not just beautiful, it can change society and people's minds. Just like Robert Frank's "The Americans", his work is not beautiful, but it changed America. For me, photography is a journey without a destination. There is no destination.