Sim Chi Yin

What I find interesting about photography is how people can use it to tell a story. As a filmmaker maker I have the ability to do this through multiple frames. Photographers need to do it with one image. It’s so fascinating how so much emotion can be held in a photo. However this becomes even more complicated when photographing non-human subjects. Then emotions must be created with the use of color, shapes and balance. Sim Chi Yin is a documentary photographer and was even commissioned as the Nobel Peace Prize photographer in 2017. She joined Magnum Photos as its first Southeast Asian photographer and continued to create photos that combine research with intimate storytelling. The lack of people in her photography in no way impedes their emotional impact. Her photos reflect historical moments and the consequences that follow. Her solo show for the Nobel Peace Centre museum focused on nuclear weapons. She combines video installation and still photography of abandoned lookouts and factories to show the memory of what's left behind along with the destruction it caused. 

In her work labeled, A Mirage of Luxury Built on Sand, she focuses on the desire for sand and gravel to create artificial land for companies to build upon. The creation of these artificial islands are dangerous and have a false foundation.  The photo of “Dubai of China” has a feeling of dread. The overall weight of the image leaves the viewer feeling uneasy. The choice of balance in the photo is a testament to the unnatural and unsafe process that is carried out during the island's creation. The perspective of this shot is a key factor to its success. The city featured is bustling with people living their lives. But once we take a step back the whole image becomes clear. I alway appreciate when photographers expand the subject of focus. An eye level shot would not have the same appeal as the overhead shot she chose. People often argue over small details. And only when the entire picture is revealed can real progress begin.