American photographer Jock Sturges' signature black-and-white portraits are on display in Beijing. Jiang Dong / China Daily

Don't ask your models to pose. That is one of Jock Sturges' secrets to good photography.

The American photographer, who has been known for works of naturism since the 1990s, has brought a selection of his signature photography to China this fall.

Some 60 black-and-white portraits that stilled the musing, laughing, wondering subjects in their most unguarded, natural state are on display at the 798 Wuyue Image Space.

With them, the artist hopes to convey his persistent attitude when taking pictures.

"The best pictures are the true ones," he says. "The hardest part of photography isn't mechanical. It's what the photographer knows about the subject."

There is only one way to get that in-depth understanding.

"Time, time, time," Sturges says. The 66-year-old's most famous series tracked a young girl, Misty Dawn, through her childhood, adolescence and 20s.

"Ninety-nine percent of my time is spent socializing. Taking the pictures is only a few seconds."

To illustrate further, Sturges says he needs at least three years to get a decent picture that's "truly meaningful".