Jacob Aue Sobol, Denmark

The serious side of life

Their home is an abandoned train track that runs through a Bangkok slum. Since their parents don’t earn enough to feed their families, the children of Sukhumvit also have to work. For example by begging, selling flowers to tourists or as helpers in cockfights. Bangkok’s economy has rapidly grown in the last years, but as a consequence the gap between rich and poor has also increased rapidly. Although most children here attend school, they don’t grow up as carefree as they should. Leisure time, playing and relaxing are privileges around here that are reserved only for the children of the wealthy.

The serious side of life
Bild 1 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum
The serious side of life
Bild 2 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum
The serious side of life
Bild 3 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum
The serious side of life
Bild 4 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum
The serious side of life
Bild 5 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum
The serious side of life
Bild 6 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum
The serious side of life
Bild 7 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum
The serious side of life
Bild 8 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum
The serious side of life
Bild 9 von 9 © Jacob Aue Sobol/Magnum


Curriculum Vitae: Edwin Koo

UNICEF Foto des Jahres: Edwin Koo
© Edwin Koo

Age: 31
DOB: 1978/05/30

Press photographer
(Streats - national tabloid) 2003-2005.

Press photographer
(The Straits Times - national broadsheet) 2005-2008.

Freelance photographer
(represented by ZUMA Press) 2008

Awards and Experiences

  • Participant: Asia-Europe Foundation / World Press Photo Photojournalist Workshop (Hanoi - Vietnam) 2004
  • Winner (2nd Prize - Behind the Scenes category): ClickArt, World Photojournalist Meet (Singapore) 2003
  • Joint exhibition: UNHCR World Refugee Day 2009 Exhibition (Kathmandu, Nepal)

Edwin is a Nepal-based freelance photographer represented by ZUMA Press agency. Born in Singapore, Edwin holds a Bachelor of Communications degree from Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. He worked as a press photographer with media conglomerate Singapore Press Holdings for five years, . In 2008, he left his staff job and went freelance. Intrigued by the events unfolding in Nepal, he moved to the Himalayan nation to be based there. From Kathmandu, he has covered stories spanning the South Asian subcontinent, including the transformation of the Nepalese monarchy, the Tibetan exodus, and Pakistan's Swat Valley crisis. He has been published in magazines in Asia and Europe, including Rhythms (Taiwan) and Stern (Germany). UNICEF Photo of the Year is his first major international award.

kookookookoo(at)gmail.com