Almost Clear
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PrizeHonorable Mention
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PhotographerHyungkyu Lee, Korea, Republic of
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Date of Photograph24 May 2024
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Instagram
The umbrella was transparent.
The city was visible.
Nothing stood between myself and the world except a thin layer of plastic.
Yet clarity did not necessarily bring understanding.
People became traces.
Light became movement.
Familiar streets drifted away from certainty.
What I saw was no longer the city itself, but a version shaped by my own thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions.
These images began with rain,
but became a reflection on how easily we mistake our interpretation of reality for reality itself.
Awards [Artist Biography]
Hyungkyu Lee is an award-winning fine art and street photographer based in South Korea, dedicated to documenting the visual anomalies and structural layers embedded within contemporary urban environments. His artistic practice masterfully explores the subtle intersections of human presence and rigid architectural geometry, transforming mundane cityscapes into evocative, multi-layered visual narratives that resonate with universal themes of isolation and connection. Characterized by a meticulous control of light, contrast, and form, Lee routinely challenges conventional perceptions of space.
Lee's distinct and compelling visual language has earned significant critical acclaim on the global stage, accumulating more than 20 prestigious accolades within a remarkably short span. On the international circuit, he has demonstrated profound stylistic versatility, earning top honors across highly competitive categories—ranging from fine-art abstract and minimalism to architecture, street, and high-contrast night photography. His rapid ascent and consistent recognition by elite international juries firmly establish him as a compelling, authoritative voice in contemporary visual arts.
[Selected Awards]
2025 International Photography Awards (IPA) – 1st Place (Gold) in Fine Art: Abstract
2025 Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA) – 2nd Place (Silver) in Fine Art: Minimalism
2024 Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA) – 2nd Place (Silver) in Special: Night Photography
2025 Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) – 2nd & 3rd Place (Silver & Bronze) in Special: Night Photography
2024 Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA) – 3rd Place (Bronze) in Architecture: Cityscapes
2025 Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA) – 3rd Place (Bronze) in Special: Street Photography
*Over 15 additional international recognitions, including multiple Honorable Mentions across Fine Art (Abstract/Minimalism), Architecture, People (Culture/Lifestyle), and Street Phot
