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Photo © Sina Kelvani

Highly commended

Real and Sham

Real and Sham
by Chulin Zhang


"Real and Sham" is true in appearance but false in its emotions. Taken at Mandu Plaza in Xuanwu District, Nanjing, China, it captures a scene that appears authentic at first glance. As we gaze at it, trying to piece together a complete story from its half-true, half-false expressions, we find that the real answer may always be hidden on the unrevealed side. Much like a mirror of life, "Real and Sham" is a fragment of time, capturing a fleeting truth while using imaginative strokes to outline a space of wonder. It allows us to wander between truth and illusion, much like solving a mysterious riddle. The truth is the instant freezing of light and shadow, while the falsehood lies in its inability to fully reveal the story behind it. It is a slice of reality, yet it harbors endless speculation, leading us to seek the truth hidden on the other side. It's also like a half-closed door, guiding us toward reality while using the veil of illusion to conceal part of the truth, prompting us to ponder as we explore.

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