Lei Gao, Fragile (PLACES 2025)

This photo was taken at the Tasman Glacier in the South Island of New Zealand last year. In the foreground, there’s a crystal-clear piece of ice, almost like a natural sculpture. In the background, you can see the vast and majestic Tasman Glacier. It’s a breathtaking scene, but behind this beauty lies a harsh reality—due to global warming, the glacier is slowly melting, and the once solid ice is disappearing bit by bit. This photo isn’t just about capturing nature’s beauty; it’s meant to make people think about environmental changes. Melting glaciers don’t just affect polar ecosystems—they’re connected to global climate shifts and rising sea levels. Looking at this small piece of ice right in front of us, can we truly feel how fragile nature is? This isn’t just a landscape shot; it’s a reminder for the future, urging us to reflect on our role on this planet and what we can do to help protect this beautiful world.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.