Khaichuin Sim

Khaichuin Sim , Malaysia

TRAVEL CATEGORY WINNER

I am an internationally published, award-winning photographer whose work explores the quiet relationship between humanity and the natural world. Having traveled to more than 60 countries across six continents, I work across both land and underwater photography, capturing landscapes, wildlife, and remote environments with a strong sense of atmosphere and scale. My photographs have been featured in leading international publications including National Geographic, BBC, Lonely Planet, and Animal Planet, and have received recognition through multiple international photography awards over the years. I began my journey in photography as a way to document my travels, but over time my practice has evolved into a more deliberate and observational approach. My photographic voice is shaped by patience, light, and timing, often focusing on moments where stillness and tension coexist. Through a balance of technical discipline and emotional restraint, I aim to create images that move beyond documentation, inviting viewers to slow down and connect more deeply with the natural world.

Not everyone dares to dive into the vast ocean and swim alongside these gentle giants, sperm whales. Through this image, I wanted to convey the majesty of these creatures in direct comparison with a human presence. Without a human in the frame, it would be difficult to fully comprehend their immense scale and quiet power.

For this project, preparation began with improving my freediving skills so I could hold my breath longer and dive deeper to achieve the perspective I envisioned underwater. This physical preparation was essential to safely photograph sperm whales in their natural environment. From a technical standpoint, I carefully prepared my equipment, including underwater housing, dive cases, and dome ports for my cameras and lenses, ensuring everything was suited to the conditions and demands of the shoot.

I approach this work by maintaining a safe and respectful distance, allowing the sperm whales to behave naturally without interference. By positioning myself as an observer rather than a participant, I aim to photograph them with maximum authenticity, honoring both their space and their natural behavior.

To be honest, flight baggage weight limitations. Professional photography equipment is heavy, particularly underwater housings and lightings, and traveling with multiple overweight bags can be both costly and logistically demanding. Balancing essential gear with airline restrictions is a constant challenge when working on location.

I study numerous images of a landmark to understand how it is commonly photographed, and then I deliberately avoid replicating those approaches. By doing so, I focus on bringing my own perspective and creativity to the scene, seeking angles, light, or compositions that reveal something unique and personal about the place.

I often include local people in my travel photography because their presence brings a sense of humanity and soul to the image. In this particular photo, the human presence serves another purpose as well: by juxtaposing a person with the sperm whales, it highlights their immense size and majesty, giving viewers a true sense of scale and awe.

This award means a great deal to me, as it allows my work to reach a wider global audience and share the beauty of our natural and underwater world. I hope my images inspire people to appreciate, respect, and protect the environment, and to remember that we share this planet with other living beings. My advice to young travel photographers is to stay healthy and fit, without physical stamina, it’s difficult to explore, travel far, and capture the images you envision. Consistent practice, curiosity, and resilience are just as important as technical skill