Photographer Chris Yan is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. From the project ‘Nanjing Old Alleys’. To see Chris’ body of work, click on any photograph.

Nanjing is one of the four ancient capitals in China. It was the capital of six dynasties, including the Dong Wu, Dong Jin, Song, Qi, Liang and Chen dynasties. Compared to majestic palaces, I prefer ancient alleys, which are full of life and full of real stories.

For many people, the narrow and long old alleys are indispensable memories of their childhood. Decades of time are engraved with the stories of the years. Hidden deep in the city, those winding old streets and alleys seem to travel through time. In today’s fast-paced life, it is pleasant to stroll through these old alleys and find the memories that belong here.

Artist statement: 

Chris Yan, born in Beijing, China in 1981, is an accomplished photographer and Creative Director. After earning a degree in art and design from the Communication University of China, Chris gained extensive experience working with top international advertising agencies like Dentsu, JWT, and Leo Burnett. In 2013, he founded his own company to create and design advertisements for well-known brands such as BMW, Rolls-Royce, M&M's, and Dove. 

At the same time, where he began to blend commercial design with his passion for photography, focusing primarily on humanities and street photography. Over the past decade, Chris has photographed extensively across different countries, continuously refining his craft. His work has received significant recognition, being frequently featured as Mastershot by the Leica LFI Gallery, and exhibited at renowned venues such as the Glasgow Photography Gallery and The Street Soup Art Gallery in Milan. Chris has earned numerous awards, including a Gold at the 2023 Tokyo International Foto Awards, a Bronze at the 2023 Budapest International Foto Awards, and Top5 Jury Selection at the 2024 IPA. His works has also been published in several magazines and books.

All images and text © Chris Yan