Faculty and students from the Department of Cultural and Creative Design at Lunghwa University of Science and Technology (LHU) have achieved international recognition by receiving a Gold and Silver award at the esteemed 2025 Muse Photography Awards. Professor Hung Jui-Chieh and student Yang Yi-Han were each awarded the Gold and Silver Awards, respectively. This was a moment of pride for both the teacher and the student.

Gold Award: Sea Elf by Yang Yi-Han
Yang Yi-Han, a first-year student, was awarded the Gold Award in the Nature Photography category for her image, Sea Elf, which encapsulates the elegance of jellyfish. Yang characterized jellyfish as transparent, graceful, and eternally inspiring for photographers, resembling ghostly dancers of the sea. She accentuated the significance of light and composition to capture the delicate texture and movement of the objects to depict their beauty and mysterious and enchanting presence. Yang is exceptionally grateful to her instructor, Professor Hung Jui-Chieh, for motivating her to participate. She stated, “The photography process is both enjoyable and gratifying.” Gold at the Muse Photography Awards is an immense honor, and the notion that my work is viewed and valued globally is immensely inspiring.

Silver Award: “Taiwan City Lines” by Professor Hung Jui-Chieh
The Silver Award was awarded to Professor Hung’s work, Taiwan City Lines, which was dedicated to capturing the geometric lines in urban environments. His creative vision was to capture the intersection of time and space through the lens of static architecture, particularly those enchanting moments when cloud formations dance across the sky, imbuing the cityscape with a surreal, poetic quality. Hung’s distinctive perspective encourages viewers to rediscover the city’s enigmatic beauty and surreal ambiance. Hung observed Yang’s dedication and artistic sensibility in his photography class, notably her strong visual aesthetic. He assisted her in creating a cohesive series of images, which led to her exceptional debut victory. Yang is also the inaugural recipient of a Muse Photography Award from the Department of Cultural and Creative Design at LHU, a distinction the department aspires to develop further.

 Faculty and Students Experience a Moment of Shared Pride
Department Chair Ni Chien-Chih stated, “Photography is a visual language that transcends cultural boundaries and affects individuals on an emotional level.” It is uncommon and significant for instructors and students to succeed in the same year. “This honor is the collective property of the department.”