by Editor Jacob (Jian) Xu 
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 3rd of August 2026

The Photography, Resilience & Spirit of Yi Pan ...

Every photographer is remembered for the images they leave behind. However, the most notable photographers are remembered for the way they made people feel. Yi Pan is one of those special photographers.

Her photographs reveal a deep curiosity and appreciation for the world around her. She embraces a wide range of subjects, including wildlife, landscapes, still lifes, portraits and fine art, in both black and white and colour. However, those who know Yi best often speak first not of her images, but of her kindness, humility, quiet determination and unwavering optimism, which blossoms throughout life's many seasons.

‘Brain Institute’

‘Beauty by the sea’

‘Gateway Cup Women’s Race 2025’

‘St Sava Temple’

‘A Blacksmith’

‘A Big Catch’

When I first approached Yi about the idea of a 1X feature, her response was immediate.

"There's really no need. I've always been a very low-key person, and I don't like drawing attention to myself. Besides, I'm very tired now and don't have the energy."

But after a pause, she added:

"If sharing my story can give hope to people who are struggling with illness, then perhaps it's worth doing."

This article exists not only to celebrate Yi's photography, but also to honour a life that reminds us how art, hope and resilience can flourish even in the face of adversity.

‘Mandarin Autumn’

A Life of Resilience

Many of the stories in this tribute come from Dr Sherry Ma, who has been Yi's friend, colleague and fellow neurologist for many years. Having known Yi for over thirty years, Dr Ma has witnessed her growth as a photographer and the tenacity that defined her life.

'Over the past thirty-plus years, we have shared life's greatest joys and deepest sorrows. Throughout this time, Yi has remained one of my closest and most cherished friends."

Yi was born into a family of physicians. During her childhood, her parents were assigned to Qinghai as part of a government medical team serving rural communities in China. Living independently from an early age to continue her education taught her resilience and independence. She eventually followed in her parents' footsteps by earning her medical degree and becoming a neurologist.

She served as a neurologist for many years, but twenty-four years ago she became a patient when she began a battle with ovarian cancer. Five years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite both cancers having now metastasized and her undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy for both, she still approaches photography with the same childlike wonder that drew her to it in the first place.

Discovering Photography Again

Photography had been a part of Yi's life since her teenage years. She had taught herself film photography, including developing negatives and making prints in a traditional darkroom. As an adult, she used her camera to capture memories of her family, travels and everyday life. However, photography was never her artistic outlet.

But that changed in late 2018.

During one of Yi's cancer treatments, Sherry brought along some photography assignments to help pass the time. As Yi looked through the images, something unexpected happened.

"Her eyes lit up with excitement."

Even though the class had already started, she asked if she could still join. This simple question marked the start of an extraordinary new chapter.

‘Museum of the North’

Reflecting on the past, Yi said: "It was only after joining 1X that I began to understand that photography could be art. That's when I started taking it seriously”.

‘Dancing with the wind’

Learning Without Limits

Yi embraced photography with the same determination that had guided every stage of her life. She studied tirelessly, welcomed every critique, and never stopped learning.

For Yi, photography became far more than a creative pursuit.

As Sherry recalls:

"Photography became not only an artistic pursuit but also a source of strength, hope, and joy."

‘Ferguson Center for the Art’

Finding Beauty Everywhere

Yi believed that great photography did not depend on travelling to faraway places or photographing extraordinary subjects. From her first class, she approached every subject with the same care and curiosity, whether she was photographing tiny insects and birds, sweeping landscapes, or still lifes created at home when illness made travel impossible.

Her philosophy was beautifully simple:

"As long as someone truly loves photography, no matter who they are or what circumstances they face, they can always discover beauty around them."

This belief is evident throughout her work. Instead of seeking out dramatic, spectacular scenes, she looks for the quiet beauty in the ordinary, transforming simple moments into invitations to slow down and observe intentionally.

‘The Green Boss’

‘Sing Out Loud’

‘Raise the Red Lenten’

‘Autumn Singer’

‘Ladybug Pair on Leaf’

Close Friend

Of all Yi's photographs, one image carries especially deep meaning. Her award-winning still life, Close Friend, was inspired by her lifelong friendship with Sherry.

Created from a pair of dried leaves, 'Close Friend' is a subtle tribute to friendship and gratitude. It symbolizes the enduring bond between two people whose lives are deeply intertwined, much like the leaves of a flowering branch.

‘Close Friends’

A Lasting Legacy

Today, Yi's photographs continue to inspire those who encounter them.

She reminds us that photography is about more than just recording what we see. It's about intention. It's about intentionally discovering beauty, nurturing curiosity and finding hope, even in life's most difficult moments.

Some photographers leave behind remarkable images. However, Yi Pan leaves behind something far more enduring: a way of seeing the world with curiosity, grace, resilience and an open heart.

One of Yi's favorite photographs was never published on 1X. It is a black and white image of a lone tree growing from a rugged desert cliff.

At first glance, it is just a tree. But to those familiar with Yi's story, it takes on a deeper meaning. The tree’s roots cling firmly to the rock, drawing life from the rugged, unforgiving landscape around it. Yet it continues to grow upwards, reaching towards the light, overcoming every obstacle.

It is difficult not to see Yi in that tree.

She has faced illness with extraordinary courage for more than two decades. Yet she never stopped learning or creating, nor did she ever lose her ability to find beauty in the world around her.

Perhaps that is why this photograph meant so much to her.

It is more than just a picture of a tree.

It is a portrait of resilience.