Yu Kun's "Limited Space": A Striking Photographic Reflection on Pandemic Life

Winner of the Silver A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award in 2022

Yu Kun's inspiration for "Limited Space" stemmed from his personal experiences during the pandemic. Confined within his home for an extended period, he found himself repeating monotonous behaviors in a limited, enclosed space. This sense of confinement and repetition sparked the idea for this series of photographs. His hope is that these images will evoke a desire in viewers to break free from their own 'gray spaces' and live a healthier life.

The unique properties of "Limited Space" lie in its ability to communicate the sense of pressure and helplessness experienced during the pandemic. Through the use of a thin film and simple body movements, Kun successfully conveys a sense of stress and inactivity. The gray haze in the images is intended to represent the oppressive atmosphere of the pandemic, and viewers may feel an impulse to tear off the gray film, symbolizing a desire to break free from the constraints imposed by the pandemic.

The series was shot using a full-frame FX digital camera and a 24-70mm F2.8 lens in an indoor studio. To achieve the desired effect, Kun aimed to minimize shadows, requiring the use of a photoflash lamp. The original size of the photos is 24 megapixels, and all images were digitized and saved as RAW files before being edited using Adobe Photoshop.

The project began on October 28th, 2020, in Chengdu, China, and was completed in July 2021. The most significant challenges faced during the project were ensuring uniform lighting, reducing shadows, and preventing the thin film from reflecting light. Despite these challenges, "Limited Space" has been recognized for its creative and technical excellence, winning the Silver A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award in 2022.

Yu Kun's "Limited Space" is a compelling reflection on life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through his innovative use of photography, he has successfully captured the emotions and behaviors of individuals confined to their homes, evoking empathy and prompting reflection on the past while cherishing a healthy life in the future.