An award-winning Manchester photographer has opened up about balancing his passion with his full-time training as an NHS surgeon.

Yaopey Yong, 38, originally from Malaysia, was inspired to take up photography by his father and uses it as a means to relax himself after the intense shifts on a hospital ward.

“I have my long days, normal days and weekends in which I’ll spend hours looking after people and performing surgery,” he said, “When I’m not working I spend every moment I can shooting my photography – as well as having to balance being a husband and a dad.”

Despite this busy schedule, Yaopey explains that he always finds time to shoot and edit his photos – simply because he wants to. He said: “It’s therapeutic to me, being productive in a way that allows me complete control of my work and taking it at my own pace is much different than being a surgeon.

“For me, when I’m not at work I want to escape it and find relaxation in a passion that allows me to step back and – quite literally – look at the bigger picture. Even before I started training as a surgeon I’ve found that it helps me get into a relaxing mood.”

Working at a fast-paced hospital in the north of England, Yaopey has learned that the two have often complimented each other in how he’s been allowed to compartmentalise his life.

A picture containing gallery, scene, room, old

Description automatically generated“The drastic difference between the two can actually compliment my lifestyle,” he said, “To train as a surgeon you need to pay attention to every single detail and understand every move you make – which has helped my photography and the process in which I capture a scene or environment.

“It’s helped me create a different perspective than other photographers too. Everyone’s taken a good picture of Tower Bridge in London, but my work as a surgeon allows me to tap into a different perspective.”

As a landscape and architectural photographer, Yaopey often travels far and wide for his pictures, meaning the pandemic has proved tough for creative output. He said: “The last time I travelled was before the pandemic, so it’s been tough not being able to go anywhere.

“On the flip side, it has helped me appreciate my local environments and what they can offer – and I’ve been forcing myself to focus on the details that others may not find joy in my immediate area.”