On the eve of the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident, former Agence France-Presse (AFP) photographer Catherine Henriette shared her experience as a witness to this historic event as a rookie at that time, reflecting on her most unforgettable memories.
French photographer Henriette had studied Chinese. When she decided to travel to China in 1985, she had just obtained a master’s degree in Asian languages. In April 1989, at the age of 29, she started working as a photographer for AFP.
During the June 4th incident that year, Henriette was still a novice, but the photos she captured were widely used by media outlets around the world, playing a significant role in shaping public opinion.
Henriette left China in 1991. She later worked in photography for magazines and other media before transitioning to art photography. Even today, she continues to engage in artistic photography.
In a recent interview with Radio Free Asia conducted in French and translated into English by the station, Henriette discussed her experiences:
Radio Free Asia: During the 1989 student democracy protests, what prompted you to go to Tiananmen Square? What were your first impressions of the atmosphere and the crowds there?
Henriette: I was an AFP photographer at the time, so I went to Tiananmen Square for work. My first impression was disbelief at what I was witnessing.
Radio Free Asia: Could you describe your experience photographing at Tiananmen Square? As a photographer, what challenges did you face during such chaotic times?
Henriette: It was a very exciting and exhilarating moment. Being a novice photographer, I had to learn quickly because the movement was growing stronger every day. The challenge was physical stamina. I had to persevere as I was the only photographer representing AFP. It was exhausting because it seemed never-ending.
Radio Free Asia: Were there any particular moments or scenes that had a lasting impact on you? Could you share the story behind your most unforgettable photo from that time?
Henriette: Every day was different. Perhaps the most incredible moment was when Zhao Ziyang, the former General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, came out of the Great Hall of the People to meet and talk with the students. In a country like China, this was surreal.
Radio Free Asia: How do you think the photos you took at Tiananmen Square contributed to the broader narrative of the democracy protests? Do you believe they helped amplify the voices of the protesters?
Henriette: At that time, my photos were widely published in magazines and newspapers. So, yes, I believe I unwittingly helped bring awareness to the movement through my photos.
Radio Free Asia: Reflecting on the past, how do you view the role of photography in shaping historical memory, especially in events like the Tiananmen Square protests?
Henriette: Honestly, my only relevant experience was the events at Tiananmen Square. I was only 29 years old and just starting out in photography at the time. I joined AFP in April 1989. I did not have enough experience in news photography to say whether it has the power to influence the course of history.
But look at the photo of the person in front of the tank (not taken by me)—it is an image that will forever stay in our minds. So, yes, I believe photography can document collective memory in its own way.
Radio Free Asia: In what ways do you think the events you witnessed and photographed at Tiananmen Square influenced your approach to photography and storytelling throughout your career?
Henriette: It may have indeed influenced my shooting style unknowingly, but as I said, I was just starting my career as a photographer. I only did news photography for a few years. Of course, being a photographer in China was a great learning experience for me. But I have evolved since then. I shifted to magazine photography and eventually to the more artistic photography that I am still engaged in today.
Radio Free Asia: With information related to the Tiananmen Square massacre being censored and suppressed, do you believe it’s important for photographers and journalists to continue documenting and exposing such events?
Henriette: Absolutely, otherwise these events would be erased from history. The Tiananmen incident is not mentioned in Chinese history textbooks.
Radio Free Asia: Looking back on your experience at Tiananmen Square, what message or lesson about the power of photography to witness history do you want to convey to future generations?
Henriette: I want to tell them not to take unnecessary risks. The widely distributed photo of the “Tank Man” was taken by a photographer the day after the crackdown from a balcony at a Beijing hotel. Every photo you take must carry a message. You have to find it. I believe a great photographer considers this.