The Fifth FIAP Photo Meeting, which is underway in Shandong, rolled out a series of high-profile photography exhibitions at the Shandong Art Museum on Aug 9. Shutterbugs won't want to miss the rare opportunity to appreciate works by world-renowned photographers.

The Fifth FIAP Photo Meeting launches a series of high-profile photography exhibitions at the Shandong Art Museum on Aug 9 in Jinan, Shandong province. The opening ceremony is attended by more than 1,000 foreign and domestic shutterbugs. [Photo by Bei Han/ dzwww.com]

Often nicknamed the "Olympics of photography", the FIAP Photo Meeting is one of the flagship events in world photography, and is hosted by the FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art), a global photography body.

This year is the first time the world-renowned event has been hosted in China, with attendance of more than 300 photographers from 42 different countries and regions.

The exhibitions, namely Photo & Video Exhibition of People, Landscapes and World Heritage Sites on the "Belt and Road", Image Art Exhibition of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage, Group Exhibition of Global Outstanding Photographers' Classic Works, Image Art Exhibition of World Natural and Cultural Heritage, and the Original Portrait Exhibition of Worldwide Celebrities by Yousuf Karsh, will last through Aug 15.

A foreign photographer is engrossed in shooting at the Shandong Art Museum on Aug 9 in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo/ Jinan Tourism Development Committee]

The exhibitions at the FIAP Photo Meeting contain profound humanistic insights and offer a wonderful opportunity for photographers and enthusiasts to learn and communicate.

"The five exhibitions, which offer a visual art feast for foreign and domestic photographers, are some of the most important activities of the FIAP Photo Meeting," said Yang Yuanxing, president of the China Art Photography Society at the opening ceremony.

Two visitors read a poster for the original portrait exhibition of Yousuf Karsh at the Shandong Art Museum on Aug 9 in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo/ Jinan Photographers Association]

Olga, a female photographer from the Dominican Republic, was very excited at the museum.

"I never thought I could attend an original portrait exhibition of Yousuf Karsh. He was the master of portrait photography and he's always held a special place in my heart. I am extraordinarily lucky to see an exhibition of his original portraits here in Jinan.

What touches me most in his works is the glow in people's eyes; the glow can connect with his audience."

Yousuf Karsh, the master of portrait photography. [Photo/ dzwww.com]

Yousuf Karsh was an Armenian-Canadian photographer best known for his portraits of notable individuals. He has been described as one of the greatest portrait photographers of the 20th century. 155 of his portraits of notable individuals including Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Albert Einstein and Fidel Castro are on display.