Lu Zhirong's best-known photographic work: The Tsumari Story series. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Having handed over daily operations of Three Shadows to younger colleagues in Beijing, he and the family relocated to Japan in 2013, and he has since developed his Tsumari Story series.

"It was time for my team to also independently manage the center."

More importantly, Lu says he seldom found the time to take pictures himself when he was busy with Three Shadows.

Last year, the center opened a branch in Xiamen, in Fujian province, where a monthlong photo event was introduced in partnership with the annual Arles Photography Festival.

"I'm an explorer of art. I just need to be get back in touch with the younger me who knew little about photography but always wanted to be a photographer－and restart," he adds philosophically.

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If you go

Three Shadows Photography Award and Exhibition

10 am-6 pm, closed on Mondays, through June 3. 155A Caochangdi, Chaoyang district, Beijing.

010-6432-2663.