Actress Jiang Yiyan at her photo exhibition. [Photo/Xinhua]

A philanthropic photography exhibition by actress Jiang Yiyan was held in Shanghai over the weekend, winning enough praise from her fans that police had to control traffic amid safety concerns.

Jiang, who has a passion for photography aside from acting, apologized for inconveniences at her show and thanked her fans for their support, despite the heavy rain.

"Thank you all for your support. I know you have waited long in the rain, and some of you travelled just for this event. The police were here in fear of a stampede and traffic congestion, so today's show was cancelled. I'm very sorry myself, but I have no other choice. I want to say sorry to all, and next time we'll organize things better! Thanks for your love!" Jiang wrote on her Sina Weibo account.

Actress Jiang Yiyan at her photo exhibition. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Love" was the theme for the photo exhibition, showcasing photos Jiang took during her trips around the world and her time spent as a volunteer teacher in poor mountainous villages.

Her works in Nepal one year after the earthquake and photos she took while shooting a film in Tibet autonomous region were also highlighted at the show.

"Photos are not defined by composition, nor angle, but by the emotion they transcend," said Jiang, who regarded herself as only an amateur photographer with no authoritative saying on art.

Actress Jiang Yiyan at her photo exhibition. [Photo/Xinhua]

"I'm just Jiang Yiyan, an actor, and photography is part of my hobbies. I am honored to have met many friends along the way, and to host shows in different cities. I just want to share the world as I see it, and take the viewers on a journey of love," she added.

Jiang, who judged the just-concluded 19th Shanghai International Film Festival, said she regretted the impetuous nature of China's film market.

"The Chinese film market, investors and audiences are too shallow sometimes, and there are too many fast-food products. I saw many small-budget films during the festival. Their productions didn't have big teams, but their work spoke directly to my heart," she said.

"I think it's crucial to keep the mindset we had when we began making films. I probably won't take on more commercial films in the future; I want to try more artistic works."

The free show continues in Shanghai from June 26 to July 1 at the Jin Art Institute.

Related:

Actress earns fame for volunteer teaching

Jiang Yiyan holds photo show in Beijing