Poetics of the Landscape: An Aesthetic Analysis of Photographic Works in The Young Companion (1926–1945)

Abstract

This paper examines the aesthetic characteristics and poetic expressions of landscape photography featured in The Young Companion Magazine (Liangyou), published during the Republican era in China (1926–1945). Through qualitative historical research and visual textual analysis, this study identifies distinct aesthetic elements—including depth of field, shot sizes, lighting, compositional lines, and innovative shooting angles—that photographers employed to create rich emotional depth and complex symbolic narratives. The study further discusses how these poetic aesthetics visually constructed and reinforced Chinese national identity and cultural continuity amidst rapid social and political changes. By interpreting photographic works within historical and cultural contexts, the research highlights the magazine’s influential role in shaping visual culture and national identity during this transformative period. This analysis offers insights into understanding the enduring impact of Republican-era landscape photography and provides avenues for future comparative research with contemporary visual practices