Grandchildren of the revolution

Having your photograph taken in China some 30 years ago was a serious business. One had to sit upright, smile without showing teeth and most of all, the eyes had to shine with patriotism, resolution and hope.

While such gestures and expressions have disappeared in modern pictures and have been replaced with the mandatory V for victory finger sign, many young Chinese have been drawn to these old photos and are going to great lengths to imitate their parents.

Metroer, a Beijing-based website targeting young white-collar workers, recently held an event, at which young people could restage old photos.