A Sense of Ritual: Qiu Yi-Gui Captures a Moment of Stillness Above the City
- WODACC
- 36 minutes ago
- 2 min read
At the Best Photography Awards UK 2026 Spring Season, Qiu Yi-Gui was awarded the Platinum Award - Photo of the Season for A Sense of Ritual, a black-and-white photograph that transforms an ordinary hiking moment into a quietly profound reflection on life, effort, and perspective.
Set at the summit of Elephant Mountain in Taiwan, the image captures two figures pausing—not in exhaustion, but in celebration—raising champagne against a vast cityscape. Framed by the pavilion structure, the scene becomes more than documentation; it becomes a gesture. A ritual. A reminder that meaning often emerges not at the destination, but in how we choose to inhabit the moment.
Interview
Q: Could you share the background and setting of this award-winning photo?
Qiu:
This photo was taken at Chaoran Pavilion on Elephant Mountain in Taiwan. By the time I reached the top, I was already exhausted, feeling the full effort of the climb. I had originally planned to capture the scene with my camera, but I was too worn out to even lift it, so I quickly recorded the moment with my phone instead. At first, I worried the image might not turn out as I hoped, but the light and shadows that day were so beautiful that any imperfections became irrelevant.
Q: Is there a particular detail in this photo that you especially love?
Qiu:
What I love most is the couple drinking champagne at the summit. I was completely spent from the hike, still feeling the effort of the climb, when I saw them take out a bottle of champagne and wine glasses from their backpack to celebrate at the top. I was genuinely surprised, and in that moment, I thought to myself, “This is what life is about.”
Q: Did you have any specific inspiration or artistic concept in mind during the creation?
Qiu:
Not really. I usually carry my camera with me and wander without a fixed plan. I prefer not to schedule overly structured shoots, because it’s often in those unplanned moments that I discover something unexpected. These spontaneous encounters bring small surprises that expand my perspective and enrich my work.
Q: What do you hope viewers will feel or reflect upon when they see this photo?
Qiu:
I hope viewers can feel a sense of enjoyment in life and approach it from multiple perspectives, rather than a single fixed viewpoint. I also hope people take the time to explore outdoors when the weather is nice, meet individuals with different ideas along the way, and gain their own personal insights from these experiences.
Editor’s Note
In A Sense of Ritual, Qiu Yi-Gui captures something deceptively simple: a pause. Yet within that pause lies a shift in perspective—from effort to ease, from exhaustion to celebration.
The photograph reminds us that even the most ordinary journeys can hold unexpected meaning, if we allow ourselves to see differently.
Follow the Photographer
My creative work covers a range of subjects, including portraiture, natural landscapes, street photography, and artistic projects. You can see more of my work on Instagram:
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