after the invention of photography in 1839 and the arrival of european photographers in macao, photography was soon introduced in several cities in china. at first, some people were reluctant because they thought that having the camera take a picture of them would result in their spirit being taken away. but, by the end of the nineteenth century, all major cities had photographic studios. some affluent chinese people even adopted photography as a hobby. western and chinese photographers documented ordinary street life, major wars, and prominent figures.