Capturing the Beauty of Penang, Malaysia | Creative Insights from Koay Chun Chi

I am Koay Chun Chi from Malaysia. Initially, I realized that the field of study I pursued in university didn’t align with my interests. During my time in Taiwan, I developed a fascination with the beautiful landscapes of the country. I also came across stunning photographs taken by photographers on the internet, which left me deeply inspired. That was when I developed the desire to learn photography.

I initially taught myself photography online for a while. Later, during my studies, I decided to transfer to Providence University's Department of Mass Communication, where I continued to refine my photography skills.

I don’t clearly remember my very first photograph. However, a shot that left a deep impression on me was taken in 2021 during the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Taipei 101. I captured a perspective that seemed unique and had not been done before. When I shared it online, it gained significant attention and admiration. The sense of recognition and achievement from that moment strengthened my resolve during my studies to transfer schools and fully pursue my passion for photography.

I currently use Sony cameras. In the past, I’ve also worked with Nikon cameras and DJI drones.

Through photography, I hope to leave people in awe and admiration. However, beyond that, my greater aspiration is to bring positive energy to others, offering inspiration and meaningful insights through the visuals they see.

During the pandemic a few years ago, I faced some creative challenges in photography. At that time, a netizen sent me a private message saying that viewing my photos had brightened their entire day. Reading that message deeply moved me and gave me a renewed sense of purpose.

I’ve been more introverted since I was young, and I tend to observe people and things closely. I’m always curious about perspectives I’ve never seen before, and I delve deeper into understanding the stories or cultures behind them. This approach allows me to form unique viewpoints and ideas about places or people.

This honor means a great deal to me, and I owe it all to my parents. I’m deeply grateful that they allowed me to study abroad and supported my decisions. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am today!

"My Home" is a series I shot in the first half of 2024. There’s an IKEA nearby, and during a visit, I noticed that the nearby highway was built in a plum blossom shape. Such a design is quite rare in many countries, and I wanted to show the world a different perspective of Malaysia. That’s why I chose to submit this work.

Winning the award has had a positive impact, increasing my online presence and potentially helping my future career. However, the most important thing is that this recognition motivates me to keep pushing forward and persist in what I love to do!

Hsi, Hao and Wen Ching Yang. They were the best photography teachers I had during my university years!

Wen Ching Yang once told me: "You’re already great at photography. Try capturing different perspectives and don’t worry if the shots don’t turn out perfect. The most important thing is to learn through the process."

If you see a scene you like, just capture it. Photography is all about freezing the moment and seizing the opportunity in front of you!

The law of attraction. By sticking to your interests, you’ll naturally meet like-minded people to exchange ideas with, which will broaden your worldview.

I maintain a learning mindset and avoid being resistant to new ideas. The key is how to make the most of and respect the knowledge you encounter!