王开个人肖像

Wangkai Photograph (1888-1972) was founded by Wang Chikai, a photographer originally from Guangdong, and became one of the most renowned studios in modern Shanghai. Wang began his career as an apprentice at the Yaohua Photography Studio, where he mastered the studio’s signature skill—outdoor photography, a technique highly distinctive at the time for capturing natural settings and urban scenes. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked as a photographer in a studio operated by American entrepreneurs, which broadened his technical expertise and practical experience. In 1918, Wang co-founded the Yingming Photography Studio with a former colleague, but the partnership soon dissolved. Two years later, he entered another joint venture with a man surnamed Zhou, again under the name Yingming, though disagreements eventually led them to part ways.

王开照相馆（Wangkai Photograph，1888-1972）由广东籍摄影师王炽开创办，是上海近代最著名的影楼之一。王炽开早年在上海耀华照相馆学徒，掌握了该馆独特的外出拍摄技术，这种在户外自然环境中取景的手法在当时极具特色。出师后，他进入一家由美国商人开设的照相馆任职摄影师，积累了丰富的实务经验。1918年，他与旧同事合伙创办“英明照相馆”，但因理念不合而分开。1920年，他又与一姓周的合资经营“英明照相馆”，最终仍因分歧而结束合作。 

1926年，王炽开独立开设“王开照相馆”，选址上海繁华街区，以双开间门面经营。开业初期生意清淡，但凭借其扎实的摄影技术与对顾客需求的把握，逐渐赢得声誉。王开照相馆后来发展成为上海具有代表性的影楼之一，不仅记录了当时社会名流、家庭肖像和城市风貌，也见证了上海摄影业由传统影像向现代化发展的历程。作为中国摄影史上的重要篇章，王开照相馆的存在，不仅是个人事业的成功，更折射了近代上海都市文化与影像艺术的繁荣。

In 1926, Wang established his own independent business, renaming it Wangkai Photograph and opening a double-front shop in a bustling district of Shanghai. Although business was slow at the beginning, Wang’s solid technical foundation and sensitivity to customer needs gradually built his reputation. Over time, Wangkai Photograph developed into one of the city’s most representative studios, documenting portraits of social elites, family groups, and the evolving urban landscape. Beyond commercial success, the studio embodied the transition of Shanghai’s photographic culture from traditional practices toward modern forms of image-making. As such, Wangkai Photograph occupies a significant place in the history of Chinese photography, reflecting both personal achievement and the broader cultural prosperity of modern Shanghai.

1927年，远东运动会在上海举行选拔赛，运动会主持者用招标方式，招商承包运动会的各项体育摄影。王炽开感到这是“王开”招牌亮相的大好机会，于是以高价投标，获得了运动会的摄影权。王炽开选派技艺高的摄影师并雇用零工，组成四个小组，配备新式快镜，活跃于运动场上，猎取各种竞技的精彩镜头，当晚冲洗出照片，以低价售给各报馆，条件是必须在刊出的照片下面，印上“上海王开照相”字样，否则不予供稿。运动会新闻，各报必登，体育照片也随之刊出。1927年8月27日至9月7日，上海《申报》刊登体育照片49幅，其中就有37幅是王开拍的。自此王开照相馆就名扬全国，生意由清淡而变得兴隆起来。王炽开尝到这个甜头之后，就常派人拍摄时事新闻和各种题材的照片，供报纸、杂志、画报和出版社使用，条件依然是必须注明其店号。于是声誉与日俱增。周璇、胡蝶、黎莉莉、阮玲玉、张织云、陈燕燕、陈云裳、黄柳霜等上海滩头光鲜亮丽的影视明星都是在“王开”这家照相馆出入的常客。

王开以质量高，价格低，服务态度好闻名国内。几十年经营不衰。王开以100银元的月薪聘请名师（当时全国各地摄影师，一般是20—60元），照相器材用名牌货，次货一律不用。为防震动影响拍摄，还从楼梯到摄影室铺上橡皮垫。在灯光方面也有改进，使拍出的照片，清晰、明朗而富神采。王炽开上班就检查片子，发现有断眉毛、大小眼睛、眼镜反光、神形不好、色调不正等弊病，就令重拍、重印、重修，着色也非常逼真，一定要使顾客满意，下次还想再来。以致有祖孙三代的结婚照都在王开拍摄的事例。


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