Parallel World: LI KAI FUNG’s Poetic Reflection on Urban Solitude
- WODACC
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
At the Best Photography Awards UK 2026 Spring Season, photographer LI KAI FUNG was awarded the Gold Award in Documentary & People Photography – Candid Moments for Parallel World, a photograph that transforms an everyday urban scene into a subtle meditation on perception, distance, and human connection.
Captured in Hong Kong, the image unfolds within the fleeting aftermath of rain. Through a pane of glass, reality and reflection overlap, creating a moment where two figures appear to meet—yet remain separated. In this quiet visual paradox, the photograph reflects the rhythm of city life: constant crossings without true convergence.
Interview
Q: Could you share the background and setting of this award-winning photo?
LI:
Thank you so much for your kind words and for reaching out with this invitation. I'm truly honored by the recognition from WODACC Global Influential and would be delighted to share the story behind Parallel World.
Regarding the background of this award-winning photo, it was taken in Central, Hong Kong during a summer day. Just ten minutes before I captured this moment, there was a sudden downpour that left pedestrians scrambling for cover. I was standing inside a tram stop at the heart of the road, and I began shooting through the rain-streaked glass. That's when I noticed two pedestrians appearing to meet along parallel lines—one real, one reflected—creating a beautiful interplay between reality and illusion.
Q: Is there a particular detail in this photo that you especially love?
LI:
Before this shoot, I had been studying the works of Fan Ho, the legendary Hong Kong street photographer. His images have this incredible poetic rhythm that captures old Hong Kong so vividly. I wanted to channel that inspiration and try to express the essence of modern Central through my own lens.
As for the detail I especially love in this photo, it's the way a hurried pedestrian and her reflection seem to meet in the frame. The glass creates an illusion of companionship—yet in her eyes, she is the only one there. That contrast between the imagined encounter and the solitary reality is what makes this image special to me.
Q: Did you have any specific inspiration or artistic concept in mind during the creation?
LI:
In terms of artistic concept, I wanted to explore the relationship between city dwellers—how we're constantly crossing paths with strangers, yet always separated by invisible boundaries. If viewers can feel that subtle tension, or perhaps find their own connection with the city in this image, then I'd consider it a success.
Q: What do you hope viewers will feel or reflect upon when they see this photo?
LI:
In terms of artistic concept, I wanted to explore the relationship between city dwellers—how we're constantly crossing paths with strangers, yet always separated by invisible boundaries. If viewers can feel that subtle tension, or perhaps find their own connection with the city in this image, then I'd consider it a success.
Editor’s Note
In Parallel World, LI KAI FUNG captures a moment that feels both accidental and inevitable.
Through reflection and alignment, the image suggests connection—yet quietly reveals separation. It is within this delicate ambiguity that the photograph resonates, offering a contemplative glimpse into the emotional distance embedded within everyday urban life.
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