那时候我还在读高中，大概是2011、2012年前后。
当时其实很少有人喜欢上政治课，但我们的老师很开明，也很通透。六四纪念日前几天，我跟老师提议，能不能在课上放一部关于天安门事件的纪录片。我提前从 YouTube 上下载好了视频，拷到电脑里，希望能让同学们了解一下那段历史。
老师很爽快地答应了。说，这件事情确实值得大家看一看、了解一下。
到了上课那天，老师对全班说：“今天要放一部纪录片，想看的同学坐到前面来，不想看的同学也没关系，可以坐到后面做自己的事情。”
没有批评，没有强迫，也没有禁止。每个人都可以自己选择。
现在我还是记得那个画面。我觉得那个时候是美好的。至少在那个瞬间，人们还愿意去了解、去讨论一些事情，还相信不同的声音可以被听见。
那是一种让人觉得有希望的感觉。
I was still in high school at the time, around 2011 or 2012.
Back then, not many students were interested in politics classes, but our teacher was open-minded and thoughtful. A few days before the anniversary of June 4th, I asked whether we could watch a documentary about the Tiananmen Square protests and crackdown. I had downloaded it from YouTube and copied it onto a computer, hoping my classmates could learn about that chapter of history.
My teacher agreed without hesitation. He said it was something worth watching and understanding.
On the day of the class, he told everyone: “Today we're going to watch a documentary. If you're interested, sit in the front. If you're not, that's fine—you can sit in the back and do your own work.”
There was no criticism, no pressure, and no prohibition. Everyone was free to make their own choice.
I still remember that scene today. To me, it was a beautiful moment. At least for that brief period, people were still willing to learn, to discuss difficult topics, and to believe that different voices deserved to be heard.
It was the kind of moment that made you feel hopeful.
我这边写一段话，给我的姑父。
记得初中的时候，家里虽然也有数码相机和胶片相机，但更多只是记录日常和春秋游时的点滴。真正让我开始认真接触摄影，大概是在高中时期。2011年前后，您把自己的 Sony 单反相机和广角、长焦镜头整整一套都借给了我。那时候的我只是对摄影充满好奇，而您没有太多顾虑，只是放心地把器材交给我，让我尽情去拍、去尝试。
正是因为有了那台相机，我第一次开始认真思考摄影，认真观察这个世界。我的第一本影集，绝大多数照片都是用那套器材完成的。后来参加中国传媒大学摄影专业的面试，也顺利通过。再后来，我真正走上了摄影这条道路，从学生时代一直走到今天。
回头想想，很多事情都像是一粒种子。或许当年您只是觉得“孩子喜欢，就让他拍吧”，但对我来说，那份信任和支持，却在不知不觉中改变了我的人生方向。这些年一路走来，我越来越明白，一个人的成长离不开家人的鼓励和成全。感谢您在我最初摸索摄影的时候给予的支持，也感谢您一直以来的关心和爱护。
Happy Dragon Boat Festival and Happy Father’s Day!
I wanted to take this opportunity to write a few words to you and say thank you.
I still remember that when I was in middle school, we had digital and film cameras at home, but they were mostly used to record everyday life and school trips. It wasn’t until high school, around 2011, that I truly began to take photography seriously. You generously lent me your Sony DSLR camera, together with a full set of lenses, including both wide-angle and telephoto lenses. At that time, I was simply curious about photography, yet you trusted me completely and encouraged me to experiment and keep shooting.
Because of that camera, I started to think seriously about photography and learned to observe the world more carefully. Most of the photographs in my first photo book were taken with that equipment. Later, I successfully passed the photography entrance interview at the Communication University of China, and eventually photography became the path I chose and have continued to follow ever since.
Looking back, many things in life begin as small seeds. Perhaps at the time you simply thought, “The kid enjoys it, so let him shoot.” But for me, your trust and support quietly changed the course of my life.
Over the years, I have come to understand that no one grows alone. A person's journey is shaped by the encouragement and generosity of family. Thank you for supporting me when I was first exploring photography, and thank you for your care and kindness throughout the years.
Without your support and trust all those years ago, I might never have become the photographer I am today. Thank you, Uncle, and Happy Dragon Boat Festival and Father’s Day!