Photographer Sylvia Plachy (R) stands with her son Adrien Brody at the Power of the Image exhibition in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Courtesy of the Beijing Fuhai Culture Development Company

Power of the Image, an exhibition featuring over 200 photographs from 20 of the world's most renowned photographers kicked off Friday at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Exhibits by big names behind the camera including Gerd Ludwig, Steve McCurry and Sylvia Plachy, have been placed along the sidewalks inside the royal garden, where the emperors of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties prayed to Heaven for a good harvest. The free exhibition is open to the public until May 31.

Eleven of these photographers were present in Beijing on Friday night to accept awards at the "Power of the Image Awards" ceremony sponsored by the Beijing Fuhai Culture Development Company and The George Eastman House Museum of Photography. The world's oldest museum dedicated to photography, The George Eastman House was created by George Eastman, who founded the Eastman Kodak Company and helped make photography mainstream.

"Images witness and promote the development of human civilization. These photographers have brought these images to life through their lens. Honoring them is one of the missions of this event," said Cao Jian, CEO of Beijing Fuhai Culture.

Global Times
Newspaper headline: Power of the Image shows off photographers’ powers to witness and capture moments