Kaohsiung Publishes "Magic Photo Studio," 30 Old Photo Studios Tell a Century of Stories
After a year and a half of research, the Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs has published "Magic Photo Studio," a specialized book documenting the history of 30 old photo studios. The book tells stories of photographic technology evolution and human interaction.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 20:56
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 29th) After a year and a half of fieldwork and historical research, the Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs today published the special book "Magic Photo Studio—Kaohsiung Human Story Shops. Stories from the Era of Old Photo Studios." It compiles the efforts of 15 writers, photographers, and illustrators to record the stories of 30 local photo studios through the ages.
The Kaohsiung City Government Bureau of Cultural Affairs held a new book launch press conference today. Bureau Director Wang Wen-tsui said that in the past, while working at the History Museum, the museum collected many precious old photos, from ID photos, wedding candid shots, grandpa's black and white photos, to grandma's last portrait, children before studying abroad, men after military service, women becoming mothers for the first time, etc., all leaving their marks in old photo studios.
Wang Wen-tsui said that "Magic Photo Studio" is the third book in the Kaohsiung Human Story Shops series, collecting stories from 30 old photo studios. Photo studio owners often knew many stories from interacting with the public, just as family albums are an important presence of human warmth. She thanked the 15 writers, photographers, and illustrators for completing this work that carries Kaohsiung's memories.
The Bureau of Cultural Affairs stated that the book is divided into mountain line, coastal line, and longitudinal line sections, featuring 30 representative old photo studios and print shops, from mountain towns like Liugui and Cishan, to urban areas like Yancheng and Gushan, and extending to areas like Nanzi, Zuoying, and Ciaotou, sketching the historical contours of local industries and human interactions through images and stories.
The Bureau of Cultural Affairs stated that the 30 old photo studios in Kaohsiung visited by the authors include "Li Mei Photo Studio" and "Yonghe Photo Studio" in Liugui; "Chichi Color Print Shop," "Riguang Photo Studio," and "Yilin Photo Studio" in Cishan; "Zhen Shan Mei Art Gallery" in Mituo; "Guofeng Photo Studio" in Yancheng; "Ying Yi Photo Studio" in Gushan; "Ji Xiang Photography Studio" in Nanzikeng Zhongjie; "Wangjia Photography Club" in Zuoying; and "Ji Xiang Photo Studio" in Ciaotou.
In addition, the book also presents the evolution of photographic technology, from traditional darkroom printing and manual retouching to modern digital transformation, reflecting industrial changes and societal development. Some chapters, with the theme "Shutter Line," explore photographic professionalism and historical context.
To promote the new book, the Bureau of Cultural Affairs plans a series of lectures, walking tours, and experiential activities. The first lecture, "A Family Photo Album from a Photo Studio," is scheduled for June 19, inviting photographers to share their experiences in organizing family images; walking tours and retro printing experiences will also be held. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 29th) After a year and a half of fieldwork and historical research, the Kaohsiung City Bureau of Cultural Affairs today published the special book "Magic Photo Studio—Kaohsiung Human Story Shops. Stories from the Era of Old Photo Studios." It compiles the efforts of 15 writers, photographers, and illustrators to record the stories of 30 local photo studios through the ages.
The Kaohsiung City Government Bureau of Cultural Affairs held a new book launch press conference today. Bureau Director Wang Wen-tsui said that in the past, while working at the History Museum, the museum collected many precious old photos, from ID photos, wedding candid shots, grandpa's black and white photos, to grandma's last portrait, children before studying abroad, men after military service, women becoming mothers for the first time, etc., all leaving their marks in old photo studios.
Wang Wen-tsui said that "Magic Photo Studio" is the third book in the Kaohsiung Human Story Shops series, collecting stories from 30 old photo studios. Photo studio owners often knew many stories from interacting with the public, just as family albums are an important presence of human warmth. She thanked the 15 writers, photographers, and illustrators for completing this work that carries Kaohsiung's memories.
The Bureau of Cultural Affairs stated that the book is divided into mountain line, coastal line, and longitudinal line sections, featuring 30 representative old photo studios and print shops, from mountain towns like Liugui and Cishan, to urban areas like Yancheng and Gushan, and extending to areas like Nanzi, Zuoying, and Ciaotou, sketching the historical contours of local industries and human interactions through images and stories.
The Bureau of Cultural Affairs stated that the 30 old photo studios in Kaohsiung visited by the authors include "Li Mei Photo Studio" and "Yonghe Photo Studio" in Liugui; "Chichi Color Print Shop," "Riguang Photo Studio," and "Yilin Photo Studio" in Cishan; "Zhen Shan Mei Art Gallery" in Mituo; "Guofeng Photo Studio" in Yancheng; "Ying Yi Photo Studio" in Gushan; "Ji Xiang Photography Studio" in Nanzikeng Zhongjie; "Wangjia Photography Club" in Zuoying; and "Ji Xiang Photo Studio" in Ciaotou.
In addition, the book also presents the evolution of photographic technology, from traditional darkroom printing and manual retouching to modern digital transformation, reflecting industrial changes and societal development. Some chapters, with the theme "Shutter Line," explore photographic professionalism and historical context.
To promote the new book, the Bureau of Cultural Affairs plans a series of lectures, walking tours, and experiential activities. The first lecture, "A Family Photo Album from a Photo Studio," is scheduled for June 19, inviting photographers to share their experiences in organizing family images; walking tours and retro printing experiences will also be held. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force for safeguarding press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast publicly, or transmitted and utilized without authorization.