‘Sideroads
Gallery: Howe Sim’
published in Sideroads of Halton Hills,
Winter 2007
Born in Malaysia in 1969, Howe Sim grew up
in Vancouver, Canada. He received his
BSc from Simon Fraser University, then his MD from the University of Calgary.
He later moved to Toronto to specialize in internal medicine and then
gastroenterology. When he completed his
training, Howe decided to work part-time as a medical consultant, rather than
run a full-time office-based gastroenterology practice. This choice would later
greatly facilitate his venture into the world of photography.
Algonquin Foggy Day
Unlike most photography fanatics, Howe’s
interest in the field did not start at an early age. In fact, he only purchased
his first camera in 1998, while still doing his postgraduate training. Howe
found a certain tranquility and unequalled pleasure in taking photos, and soon
was spending every spare shooting engaged in the activity. Within several years, he had matured from a
mere hobbyist to a serious travel photographer, whose work was now being
purchased by private collectors around the world.
Louisbourg Fortress
In addition, he has developed a reputation
as a skilled portrait photographer, most in demand for his work with infants,
children, and family pets. Howe also
volunteers as an affiliate photographer for the organization ‘Now I Lay Me
Down To Sleep’, which helps parents grieve the loss of their infant
child through images taken during the final hours or days of the baby’s
life.
Zion National Park
Howe’s images and photo essays have
appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, and he has also already
published two books featuring some of his most popular and best-selling images.
His website www.howesim.com, launched in 2004, displays some 2,000 of the many
tens of thousands of photos in his archives. In the next several years, Howe
looks forward to retiring from medical practice, in order to fully devote
himself to his real passion.
Uisge Ban Falls