An exhibition of up-and-coming photography graduates' shots shows portraits of potential.

Digital cameras have democratized photography to the point anyone can be a photographer - and virtually everyone is. This is good news for lay shutterbugs but raises the bar for professionals. The 2014 graduation exhibition by the Beijing Film Academy's School of Photography offers a picture of where the professional bar is set. The school is considered the cradle for emerging Chinese photographic artists, including directors Zhang Yimou and Gu Changwei. The exhibition collects up-and-comers' works and connects the photographers with markets through on-site sales. It concluded with a sales volume of 30,000 yuan ($4,803).

The Little Match Girl. Wu Lei / for China Daily