Making a Moment: Belle Chen’s Perfect Drag Show Snapshot

In our article series, Making a Moment, we’re asking photographers to share one of their favorite photos that they’ve taken. We want to know the story behind the final image and everything that went into making it.

Belle Chen (@bellechennn) first got into film photography in high school with a Lomography fisheye camera, and after a hiatus, reignited her passion in 2021 with a Diana Mini and Holga 135BC among an array of other analogue cameras. Since then she’s been capturing incredible scenes of nightlife and drag culture in Taiwan, which we have previously featured in the magazine. Today we welcome Belle back to discuss a stunning photograph of one of her favorite drag performers.

Belle: I have a huge passion for watching drag shows, and drag queens have been a significant inspiration for my photos. Their makeup, wigs, and outfits always amaze me. Because of my love for drag queens, I try to capture every precious moment through my cameras. This photo was taken during the climax of a show. I used a Canon FTbQL and Fujifilm 200. The still water seems to freeze the moment, and the queen herself, with the expression of pure enjoyment during the performance makes the moment eternal.

I prefer shooting with available light, because I think photography is all about lighting. It's not like I refuse to use a flash, but it depends on the situation or the vibe I want to create.

This is one of my favorite drag queens, Marian. She is a drag queen and also transgender. Marian always gives me goosebumps when she’s on stage, her performances always show a lot of energy and confidence, which has encouraged me to feel comfortable in my own skin.

Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019 and it has been making progress each year. In January of this year, a bill allowing cross-border same-sex marriages was passed, and in May, a law permitting same-sex couples to adopt children was also approved. I think it's because Taiwan has a diverse ethnicity and cultural background. And in recent years, Taiwan is influenced by the foreign cultures a lot. The traditional Chinese thinking is no longer deeply ingrained in people's minds, so they can more easily accept things with an open mindset.

My passion for photographing drag queens is driven by the desire to see society become more diverse and inclusive.

To see more of Belle's photography be sure to follow her at her LomoHome.

In this series of articles we're asking you to share the story behind your favorite photo. Interested in being featured? Email alex.gray@lomography.com with the subject line - Making a Moment.

written by alexgray on 2023-12-29 #people #places #making-a-moment #nightlife #taiwan #drag #community #lgbtq #making-a-moment