At the Best Photography Awards UK 2026 Spring Season, photographer Ching-Chang Wu was awarded the Gold Award in Mobile Photography – Landscape for the evocative work The City in the Mist.
Blending intuition, atmosphere, and philosophical restraint, Wu’s image captures a fleeting moment in which a vast Taiwanese metropolis dissolves into layers of mountain and haze. Rather than imposing narrative, the work invites viewers into a quiet space of perception—where scale, civilization, and nature momentarily blur into one.
In the following interview, Wu reflects on intuition-driven photography, the emotional power of distance, and his alignment with Roland Barthes’ idea of “The Death of the Author.”
Interview
Q: Could you share the background and setting of this award-winning photo? Is there a particular detail in this photo that you especially love?
Ching-Chang:
This photograph was taken while I was hiking alone. As the sunlight gradually grew intense, I casually looked up and saw this scene: layers of mountains and mist encircling a city that appeared and disappeared in the haze. I found the image deeply captivating, so I immediately used the only camera I had at hand—a mobile phone—to capture the moment.
I usually take photographs by following my intuition and personal feelings. When an image resonates with my aesthetic sensibility or emotional state, I instinctively raise the camera and press the shutter. This way of photographing is a habit I developed during my student years, back when I was working with film cameras.
The city in the image is in fact a major metropolis on the island of Taiwan, with millions of inhabitants and densely packed high-rise buildings. Yet, when viewed from afar, this highly civilized urban space is enveloped by mountains and dense forests. This evoked in me a sense of mystery reminiscent of the Mayan civilization hidden within the jungle. Realizing that I am merely a small human being living within such an environment was deeply moving.
Q: Did you have any specific inspiration or artistic concept in mind during the creation?
Ching-Chang:
My photographic practice is guided by what I see and what I feel at the moment—whether it is a sense of wonder or emotional resonance. If a scene does not stir my mind or create a ripple of inner response, I usually choose not to photograph it.
Q: What do you hope viewers will feel or reflect upon when they see this photo?
Ching-Chang:
As for what viewers may perceive or interpret from the photograph, I do not impose any particular expectations. I consider myself a follower of Roland Barthes and agree with the idea of the “The Death of the Author”: once a work is presented, the authority of interpretation belongs to the viewer.
Follow the Photographer
Ching-Chang Wu has been engaged in the film and TV VFX industry for more than 10 years. He has collaborated with numerous film and television crews as well as TV stations to produce VFX work for projects across various genres, including science fiction films, family comedies, fairy tales, cartoons, and traditional operas. Notable works include the films Abyssverse, Demigod: The Legend Begins, and The Arti: The Adventure Begins, as well as series such as Let the Right One In, Young Rock (Season 2), 2049, U Motherbaker, and Eternal Love.
He has also served as an Associate Professor at Shih Chien University for more than three years. His teaching focuses on visual effects, film production, editing, screenwriting, and animation. This role has been both rewarding and inspiring, enabling him to share his professional experience with students and guide them in developing their creative potential. faculty member at Shih Chien University
Best Photography Awards UK Featured Page: https://www.bestphotoawards.com/featured/ching-chang-wu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.woo.92
