Singapore photographer takes over Instagram account of UK newspaper

He turns everyday people and street scenes into striking works of art .

And now, renowned UK newspaper The Guardian has recruited him to take over one of its Instagram accounts and share his vision of Singapore with the world. 

Aik Beng Chia - also known as ABC - only took up photography in 2008 when he started using the camera on his iPhone.

Since then, by sharing his images on Facebook and photo sharing apps like Instagram, he has become arguably Singapore's most prominent street photographer.

This weekend sees the 46-year-old 'control' Guardiantravelsnaps  on Instagram - which is so popular it has over 150,000 more followers than the publication's main Instagram account.

For three days (March 13-15), ABC will share images that will show that there is more to Singapore than the iconic waterfront and a lack of chewing gum.

[embed]https://instagram.com/p/0IxdfcnWGW/[/embed]

 

TNP.SG spoke to Mr Chia about his photography journey and the Guardian gig. 

What got you started in photography? 

I wanted to share with my friends and family here and all over the world what I see on a day to day basis in Singapore.
 

You have almost 17,000 followers on Instagram. It's a figure many Instagrammers would envy. What is your secret?

Honestly, I have no idea. It is still considered a small number compared to some of the other more popular photographers. Maybe my photos caught the attention of so many because I don't put up pretty pictures. I show what life is like on a day-to-day basis. Whether it's the people I meet or the places I go to. 
 

What is Guardian Travel Snaps (GTS) about and how did you get this opportunity?

It's an account that allows photographers from all over the world to show what they see wherever they are.

I received an email from The Guardian's Head of Travel asking if I was interested to show Singapore to the world for a few days.

 

Is this the first international opportunity you have received?  This is the second time. The first was taking over EverydayAsia on Instagram as well. It allowed me to contribute work with other photojournalists and documentary photographers from all over the world.

 

Where else have you had your work featured?

My work has been exhibited and published internationally, from Berlin to New York and other European countries. The most recent was in 2012 at the Invisible Photographer Asia (IPA) Gallery. In 2013, I launched my first monograph - Tonight The Streets Are Ours - also published by IPA which showed Little India after dusk.
 

What aspect of Singapore do you want to show people overseas?

I'll try to capture as much as I can, from our food, people, to our multi-racial culture and architecture.

I just want people from all over the world to see everything local about Singapore. Images that will hopefully make them want to visit.
 

 

What is the golden rule of good street photography?

It is important that you take photos of what interests you. Shoot what you feel close to. 

Don't imitate someone else or take photos of what others think you should be taking. 

Observe all the life around you, have fun and enjoy the process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures: Instagram/Aikbengchia