It took sheer perseverance and energy, through difficult terrain, to document regions where previously unseen by westerners. It is particularly remarkable that Thomson was able to make photographs of such beauty and sensitivity.

这需要摄影师付出十足的毅力和精力，穿越艰难的地形去记录那些过去被西方人忽视的地区。更值得注意的是，汤姆逊能够拍出如此美丽和灵动的照片。

Fascinated by the Asian culture and its people, Thomson set off to Siam where he was able to photograph King Mongkut, Rama IV, and his royal family together with royal ceremonies in 1865. He also captured the panoramic views of the Chao Phraya River, temples and monks.

在亚洲文化和人民的吸引下，汤姆逊去了暹罗，为蒙克库特罗摩国王四世和他的皇族参加1865年皇家仪式时拍照。他还拍摄了湄南河、寺庙和僧侣的全景照片。

The 180-year-old pictures added unique values to the history when the 29-year-old Thomson travelled to Cambodia and became the first photographer to visit Angkor Wat, what is now, one of the most important sites of ancient architecture in the world.

这些历经180年风雨的照片给历史增添了独一无二的价值，时年29岁的汤普森来到柬埔寨，成为第一位访问吴哥窟的摄影师。吴哥窟现在是世界上最重要的古代建筑遗址之一。

In 1867, Thomson settled in Hong Kong and documented another set of images capturing local Cantonese people.

1867年，汤姆森在香港定居，并拍摄了当地广东人的一系列照片。

From then on, he started an expedition in different provinces of China, including Macau, Chaozhou, Shanghai as well as the imperial capital, Beiing.

从那时起，他开始了在不同省份的考察，足迹遍及澳门、潮州、上海以及北京。

In China, Thomson captured a wide variety of subjects from landscapes to people, architecture, domestic and street scenes.

在，汤姆逊拍摄了从风景到人物、建筑、家庭和街景等各种题材的照片。

Dr Michael Pritchard, Chief Executive of The Royal Photographic Society and photo-historian commented: 'John Thomson is a key figure in nineteenth-century travel and documentary photography and this exhibition, which is long overdue, finally gives proper recognition to his career and stunning imagery'

英国皇家摄影学会的首席执行官迈克尔·普里查德博士评论道：“约翰·汤姆森是19世纪旅行和纪实摄影的重要人物，而这个早就应该举办的展览，是对他的职业生涯和令人惊叹的照片的认可。”

As a foreigner, Thomson’s ability to gain access to photograph women was particularly remarkable. Whether photographing the rich and famous or people in the streets going about their business, Thomson’s desire was to present a faithful account of the people of Asia.

作为一个外国人，汤姆逊特别擅长找机会拍摄女性照片。无论是拍摄富人、名人还是路边的小摊小贩，汤姆逊的想法就是是如实展现亚洲人民的生活。