Undeterred: Photography and the Power of Collective Belief
- WODACC
- May 10
- 3 min read
At the World Grand Prix Photography Award Spring 2026, 吳承祐 (Luke) received the Gold Award in Cultural Expressions Photography for Undeterred (無懼), a photograph that powerfully documents the courage, devotion, and communal spirit embedded within Taiwanese religious culture.
Captured during a Lantern Festival pilgrimage organized by Mailiao Zhenxi Temple, the image portrays sedan chair carriers advancing fearlessly through explosive firecrackers and smoke-filled streets. More than a festival scene, the photograph becomes a visual testament to cultural inheritance, collective faith, and the resilience passed from one generation to the next.
Artillery fire exploded at their feet, flames and smoke instantly filling the streets. At the head of the procession, the palanquin bearers faced the flames head-on, their expressions resolute and fearless.
In the brief flash of light, the expressions of each bearer were instantly revealed: some focused on maintaining their pace, others gripped the poles tightly, bearing the weight on their shoulders. These different expressions, in that single moment, intertwined to create the strength of the procession.
In this procession, faith enables people to carry the palanquin forward even in the face of fire and smoke. The fearlessness lies not only in the firecrackers at their feet, but also in the unwavering commitment to their faith.
Interview
Q. What inspired you to take this award-winning photo?
Luke:
Growing up deeply influenced by religious culture, I have always hoped to present the warmth and humanity within these traditions to a wider audience.
The Lantern Festival in Taiwan is one of the most significant celebrations of the Lunar New Year. This year, I was honored to be invited to document a village pilgrimage with the sedan chair team of Mailiao Zhenxi Temple—my very first experience participating so closely.
During the procession, I was deeply moved by the carriers’ determined expressions and their fearless spirit in the midst of intense firecrackers. Their courage seemed to embody the divine presence itself, making the deity on their shoulders feel even more powerful and dignified.
As they walked through every street and alley, it symbolized that the blessings of the deity had been carried throughout the entire community. To me, that fearless spirit is a true manifestation of divine power.
Q. Were there any challenges during the process?
Luke:
In documentary photography, one of the greatest challenges is capturing authentic moments without disrupting the atmosphere or the ritual itself.
Before the event, I spent time building trust with the carriers—talking with them and learning about the details of the rituals. This preparation was essential.
During the ceremony, I had to balance capturing decisive moments while remaining unobtrusive. At the same time, I also needed to overcome my own fear of the firecrackers and stand alongside the carriers—fully immersed in the experience.
Q. How do you balance technical skill and emotional expression?
Luke:
For me, photography is about capturing warmth.
I always prioritize the moment before the technical settings. Many meaningful moments happen in an instant, where there is no time to perfect every parameter.
What I see with my eyes and feel in that moment is the most important. Technical mastery is something I continue to refine, but at this stage of my journey, emotional authenticity matters more than technical perfection.
Q4. What message or feeling do you hope to convey?
Luke:
Through my work, I hope people can come to know Taiwan, understand its religious culture, and most importantly, reconnect with their hometowns.
Mailiao, where this work was created, is a town where many young people have moved away. Yet during important festivals, they return to take on responsibilities and carry forward traditions with courage.
This is not just participation—it is inheritance. It represents the emergence of a new generation, passing down responsibility and bravery from one generation to the next.
Q. What role does photography play in today’s world?
Luke:
Photography can be a profession that fulfills dreams, or a passion that anyone can pursue.
For me, it does not have a single fixed definition. But in my role, photography is a way to preserve and transmit cultural heritage—especially religious traditions—to a wider audience.
Editor’s Note
In Undeterred, Luke 吳承祐 captures more than ritual spectacle—he reveals the emotional and cultural force that sustains collective identity.
Amid smoke, firecrackers, and movement, the photograph conveys a rare sense of courage rooted not in performance, but in belief, responsibility, and belonging. Through intimate observation and emotional honesty, the work becomes both a document of Taiwanese religious tradition and a reflection on how communities preserve memory through shared action and inherited faith.
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