Meet Yixi Luo

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yixi Luo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yixi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Since I was young, I have always been fascinated by visual arts. I studied traditional Chinese painting for 10 years, and when I first got a camera, I naturally applied the philosophies I had learned from Chinese painting to my photography. This cross-disciplinary fusion felt particularly novel and exciting to me. I’m someone who loves to document things. When I use photography to capture moments, it not only records what’s happening at that instant but also allows me to infuse my own emotions and the messages I want to convey into the images.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Initially, my photography was deeply influenced by the traditional Chinese painting technique known as freehand brushwork, characterized by its minimalist composition and liberal use of negative space, yet it retained a certain dynamic tension. This style resonated deeply with my cultural roots and aesthetic preferences. However, a significant evolution in my approach occurred when I pursued studies in filmmaking at Columbia College Chicago. There, I was introduced to the quintessential American street photography style, which prompted me to experiment beyond my comfort zone.

I devoted a substantial amount of time to mastering this new style, walking city streets and attempting to capture candid moments of everyday life. Initially, this was a challenging shift for me as it diverged sharply from the philosophical underpinnings of traditional Chinese art, which emphasized harmony and subtlety. Despite these challenges, I maintained an open and inclusive mindset, driven by a desire to explore and integrate diverse artistic expressions from around the globe.

Over time, this exposure to a broad spectrum of styles allowed me to develop a unique photographic voice that harmoniously blends Eastern and Western artistic sensibilities. This synthesis of approaches has not only defined my personal style but also enriched my understanding of the world through the lens.

My journey with street photography has taken me to remarkable places such as North Korea, Tibet, Cuba, and Indonesia. In each location, I strive to go beyond the surface, immersing myself in the daily lives of the locals. This immersion allows me to capture not just images, but stories—each photograph a window into the cultural nuances and the fleeting, yet profound moments of everyday life. Through my camera, I seek to reveal the underlying humanity and the vibrant tapestry of emotions that thread through the urban landscape.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I rarely find myself drawn to a particular spot within a city; rather, my affection often extends to entire neighborhoods. I relish the opportunity to embark on spontaneous city walks with friends, exploring these areas without the aid of a map. This approach frequently rewards us with delightful and unexpected discoveries that we might otherwise miss. Although visiting well-known tourist attractions and experiencing iconic restaurants are important aspects of exploring a city, I am particularly fond of meandering through neighborhoods brimming with local life. It is within these vibrant and less orchestrated settings that I believe you can truly capture the essence and unique charm of a city. Here, away from the usual hustle and structured tourist paths, you find the real heartbeat of the place—where everyday interactions paint a vivid picture of the local culture and lifestyle.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My passion for photography was ignited in childhood when I accidentally discovered Bruno Barbey’s seminal work, “The Colors of China,” tucked away on a bookstore shelf. Barbey, a visionary Magnum photographer, was among the first to explore and document the vibrancy of China through the medium of color film. The book profoundly impacted me, particularly with its striking captures of street scenes bathed in rich, dynamic colors. These images have significantly influenced my approach to color in photography, encouraging me to explore bold palettes and nuanced shades in my own work. Furthermore, Barbey’s meticulous attention to cultural nuances and his deep, empathetic engagement with the people he photographed have also profoundly enriched my artistic vision. His ability to weave cultural context and human emotion into visual narratives opened my eyes to the power of photography as a tool for storytelling. This deep connection to his work has continually inspired me to seek a similar depth and sensitivity in my own photographic endeavors.

Website: https://microluo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micro_mai/

Image Credits
Yixi Luo