Photo Provided to China Daily

But Wei Yiming says her father has a positive influence on his peers. "I once visited their dormitory and found many workers who have taken photos with their cam-eras or cellphones. They compared the photos. My father led the discussion and now more workers have taken up photography as a hobby," she says.

Wei joined Shanghai Construction Group as a crane operator in 1975.As his crane moved from one construction site to another, he has witnessed the birth of new heights in the city.

"In 1999, my crane worked at the 60-story shopping mall on Huaihai Road. The more than 200-meter-tall building was then the highest in west Huangpu River region," he recalls.

The record was broken four years later by the 333-meter-tall Bailian Shimao shopping mall on East Nanjing Road, on which Wei also worked.

"Every time I walk past the high rises I've participated in building, my heart beats faster. We construction workers have put in a lot of effort," he says.

With a few months to retirement, Wei is satisfied with his achievements. "Life has given me the chance to work at the city's highest point. I seized the chance and took so many beautiful photos. I have no regrets," he says.