Meet Liang Dong | FILMMAKER and PHOTOGRAPHER

We had the good fortune of connecting with Liang Dong and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Liang, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
In my view, art is a way to express my thoughts through my artistic form and creations, allowing me to explore the world and my own life. Through this form, I want my audience to understand the emotions and feelings I wish to convey, enabling them to empathize and form a deeper connection with both the world and the artist. This is the reason why I love art and choose to pursue it as a career. When you look at a piece of art and feel the emotions the artist wants to express, experiencing that resonance—it’s pretty cool, isn’t it?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I want to explore my art from two perspectives.

First, I have always had a deep passion for photography and have captured many works that have been widely praised. This has allowed me to see the magic and joy of composition and lighting in photography. Since photography is an art that freezes time, it often enables me to capture the joys and sorrows of the world or complex emotions that are difficult to express in words. A photograph suspends a moment’s emotion and magnifies it infinitely. When I showcase my images to an audience and see them drawn in by the emotions captured in the photo or amazed by a breathtaking scene, the sense of accomplishment I feel is one of my greatest joys.

Second, I want to discuss my perspective on filmmaking. Film is a moving art form—it connects individual frames to tell a story. As a director, I strive for perfection in every shot, ensuring that each frame has meaning and that visual language enhances the storytelling. When it comes to film narratives, I firmly believe that art is derived from life but elevated beyond it. That’s why I focus on exploring the emotions of ordinary people, as I believe this creates a stronger resonance with the audience. I am dedicated to making films that inspire thought—whether it’s reflection on the plot or contemplation of life itself. I believe this is the greatest gift a filmmaker can give to their audience.

Although art is a beautiful thing, the process of creating it is often challenging. History has shown that most artists’ lives are not smooth sailing, and I am no exception as a filmmaker. In China, I was one of the lead creatives at a media company, primarily working on commercial advertisements and promotional videos. During those projects, I would go days without sleep, constantly thinking about how to improve the project. However, when the entire team successfully completed a project, the sense of achievement was incredible.

This highlights another aspect of filmmaking—teamwork. A great film cannot be made by one person alone; it requires the collective effort of an entire team. Every time a shoot wraps up, the whole team experiences a shared sense of relief and accomplishment. Perhaps this feeling is one of the reasons why so many filmmakers are passionate about cinema.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I currently live in Los Angeles, and if my best friend visits, this would be my plan:

First, I would take them on a road trip to San Francisco to experience the city’s scenery, ride the cable cars, and explore its unique charm. After that, we would spend two to three days driving along Highway 1, enjoying the breathtaking coastal views. I believe the driving experience on Highway 1 is unparalleled, and it offers countless opportunities to capture stunning photographs. We would then return to Los Angeles via the same route.

Next, we would take a road trip to Utah to experience the vast desert landscapes of the American West. I believe these two trips would provide a comprehensive view of the natural beauty of the western United States.

Finally, we would spend a day exploring Los Angeles, visiting Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, and other iconic spots to immerse ourselves in the city’s rich film culture.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This brings me to my family. My family is quite traditional, and in their view, a creative career is not as conventional or financially stable as fields like finance or engineering. However, when I was young, I had two cousins who pursued the media industry without hesitation and achieved success in their careers.

From an early age, I developed a strong passion for photography and film, often taking an old film camera to capture pictures. When it was time for me to go to college, I chose this field. Despite my parents wanting me to pursue a different career, they ultimately respected my decision and allowed me to study film production.

We all know that artistic creation can be financially demanding, especially in the early stages. However, my family has always supported my dream, even giving me the opportunity to come to the United States to continue studying film. Thanks to their understanding and support, I am able to pursue my passion and work toward my dream. For that, I am truly grateful to my family.

Instagram: ld_liang

Image Credits
The pictures are taken by myself or by friends.