Witness the presence

**Faye Lo**
Founder, Good Soil Foundation

A Message from the Founder

I have always believed that the first step toward truly changing the world is not action, but seeing.

When we are willing to pause and see the circumstances of an individual, the transformation of a city, the life of a piece of land, or even the stories unfolding in an era, we begin to form a genuine connection with the world around us.

Advances in technology have given every young person the ability to document the world. A single smartphone is enough to capture one of life’s most authentic moments. Yet more important than photographic technique is what we choose to see—and why we choose to press the shutter.

In founding the Witnessing the Present International Youth Photography Competition, I hope to encourage young people to use their cameras to document our time: to record the people, events, and social issues that are easily overlooked, yet deserve greater attention.

It may be a street worker, a child left behind by migrant parents, a traditional culture that is gradually disappearing, a natural environment in need of protection, or an ordinary moment in everyday life that carries extraordinary strength.

Photography is not only a form of artistic expression; it is also a way of caring for society. When a photograph can inspire reflection, evoke empathy, and bring more people together in attention and action, it gains a value that extends far beyond the image itself.

I have always believed that art can connect hearts, that philanthropy can transform society, and that meaningful social action begins with a willingness to see. True art, likewise, grows from real life.

May this catalogue preserve more than the works of thirty award-winning students. May it also capture the way this generation sees the world, their ability to understand it, and their courage to respond to their time with compassion.

Because when more and more people are willing to see, the world will begin to change.

Mr. Na Risong is the art director at Inter Art Center/Galleryin Beijing and chief editor of Pixel Magazine. He was photoeditor at Popular Photography and Beijing Youth Daily, followed by chief editor at Photography Company and PHOTO, China.

Mr. Na Risong has worked as a photography media and photography curatorship professional for nearly 30 years, and he has curated exhibitions and published catalogues for many international photographers.

He has also served as a curator, judge, and academic advisor for numerous photography festivals and large-scale photography exhibitions in China and abroad.

He has won the BestCurator Award, the Curator of the Year Award, and the Exhibition of the Year Award several times.

Spotlight

W I T N E S S T H E P R E S E N C E

2026 Photography Competition Now Open for Submissions

In an age filled with endless images, true seeing has become increasingly valuable. Witnessing the Present invites young people around the world to explore society, capture overlooked stories, and document the people, cultures, communities, and challenges that shape our time through the power of photography.

Open to students aged 15–22 from around the world, the competition encourages participants to create original photographic series that inspire reflection, connection, and social awareness. Selected works will be included in the official collection and featured in exhibitions. Learn more about eligibility, submission requirements, judging panel, and awards.

Learn More

OUR TEAM

Collective

We work together to create a better future for children.

Faye Lo

Founder

Cindy Chen

Executive Team

Tracy Chen

Executive Team

Why Witness The Presence

Supporting the Future of Artistic Expression.

Empowering the Next Generation of Artists.

From moments of silence to emotions beyond sight, Witness The Presence transforms an artist’s vision into a lasting impression. Through exhibitions, mentorship, and global initiatives, we create opportunities where creativity and the world come together.

300+ Young Photographers

10+ Countries & Regions

1500+ Stories & Images

NEW RELEASE NEW RELEASE NEW RELEASE NEW RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS

Moments

Witness The Presence supports artists beyond words.

Through photography, they explore emotion, light, and time.

Each image holds a quiet truth —something that cannot be spoken, but can be felt.In stillness, emotion becomes visible.This is where the future of art quietly begins.

NEWS & MEDIA

Recording Visions of Youth, Amplifying Voices | Results of the “Witnessing the Present” International Youth Photography Competition Announced

2026-08-10

Youth Photography Featured at Japan’s Prestigious Eastern International Fine Arts Exposition

2025-11-03

Mothership : Youths, aged 15 to 22, can win S$4,000 cash prize & overseas learning trip by joining this photography competition

2025-04-05

Seeing the Presence: Connecting with the World Through Photography

For me, photography is a way of seeing the world and a means of connecting with it. I always remember a quote by director Jia Zhangke: "As long as you pay attention to every face, you will notice every person of dignity." This statement has continually prompted me to reflect on the meaning of photography. We live amidst a sea of people, each carrying their own stories, experiences, and emotions—yet many lives are often overlooked amid the rapid changes of our times. Photography has taught me to pause and focus on those ordinary yet authentic existences. I believe that the true nobility of life lies precisely within this vast human ocean. Those unremarkable faces, everyday routines, and unnoticed moments all hold unique value. To me, photography isn't about seeking out extraordinary individuals, but discovering their distinctiveness within the ordinary. Through images, I hope to capture the subtle and genuine relationships between people and their environment, people and society, and people and themselves.

Throughout my creative process, I frequently contemplate the relationship between photographer and subject. When facing a stranger, I often ask myself: Am I truly understanding his life, or merely borrowing his story to express my own? Does photography, in its act of recording, inevitably create a distance between observer and observed? These questions have consistently accompanied my work. Photography is not simply capturing a moment; it is an exchange and an act of understanding. When I face someone, I must respect their existence, empathize with their experiences, and continuously reflect on my own way of looking. The camera should not become a barrier between people, but rather a bridge that connects us. Photographers need sensitivity, but also humility. We cannot fully enter another person’s life, but through listening, observing, and respecting, we can approach their genuine emotions and experiences.

We live in an age saturated with images—every day countless photographs are taken—but true seeing is becoming increasingly rare. In a rapidly developing society, human connections grow more complex, and many emotions remain hidden. For me, photography is a way to rebuild these connections. It gives me the chance to draw close to authentic life experiences and offers overlooked stories the possibility of being seen. I don’t believe photography can immediately change the world—that remains one of my ongoing struggles. What exactly can a single photograph leave behind? Can it truly bring about change? Yet, as I continue to shoot, I gradually realize that perhaps the significance of photography doesn’t lie in solving all problems, but in making someone’s existence genuinely acknowledged, allowing strangers to understand one another through a single image. When a life is seen, when an experience is heard, photography transcends mere documentation.

"Witness" means not only recording, but also accompanying, understanding, and responding. As a photographer, I hope to bear witness to this era through my images, to pay attention to unfolding stories, and to seek the enduring connections between people and the world. Behind every face lies a world worth understanding. Photography brings me closer to authenticity and helps me reexamine my relationship with the world. While observing others, I am also searching for my own place. Photography is how I meet, communicate with, and connect to the world.