While much of the world is incessantly mugging, pouting and smirking (oh so ironically) for selfies – and falling off bridges, getting savaged by wildlife, walking into the path of oncoming trains, and setting themselves on fire in the process (NOT ‘Kodak moments’ by any means) – a minority of the perennially camera-armed is developing a heightened awareness and mentally panoramic view of their surroundings.
Instead of shoehorning themselves into their environments, or elbowing their beings into a moment, the latter group of reputable shutterbugs takes pains to step back from their milieu in order to accurately capture the proverbial ‘big picture’; or, conversely, completely dissolve themselves into an experience in order to savour it, melting into the scenery in the process. In both instances, what they digitally capture may lack their own (ho-hum) faces – but their resplendent identities, personalities, souls, aesthetics and visions are very much present, front and centre. The best of such images are precisely what premier photography competitions such as the Sony World Photography Awards (SWPA) keep their eyes out for.
The world’s largest and most influential contemporary photography competition, the annual SWPA returns in 2016 with a trio of superlatives which is making organizers say ‘cheese’ without being asked to: the year saw the highest number of entries (230,103), from the greatest number of countries (186), and, most relevant to Malaysia, the largest group of local participants (up 143% from last year). And here’s what’ll make us all snap (our fingers, with delight): it’s been announced that eight Malaysian photographers have been shortlisted for prizes in their respective categories, as well as the ultimate accolades of the L’Iris d’Or Photographer of the Year and Open Photographer of the Year titles. Winners will be selected by an expert panel of judges, and announcements will be made beginning 15th March, culminating in overall winners being crowned on 21st April at a gala ceremony in London.
Competing in four umbrella categories of Professional, Open, Youth and Student, in a wide spectrum of subcategories ranging from Candid to Low Light, Travel to Culture, winning participants risk not being able to ‘snap’ out of their ‘camera smiles’ thanks to their prize haul of: the prestigious SWPA titles for 2016, their share of a grand prize of US$30,000, a showcase of their work as part of the SWPA 2016 exhibition in London in April and May, and being published in this year’s edition of the SWPA book.
The eight eye-mazing Malaysian photographers on the shortlist form a colourful collage of different backgrounds, ages, skill levels and styles – but their achievement in the SWPA have earned them pride of place in our family album. Whether professional, amateur/enthusiast or student, they’ve helped raise the photographic artform (beyond the reach and focus of selfie-takers, thank goodness), as well our country’s already-photogenic reputation. The amazing eight are listed below:
Nick Ng, Kuala Lumpur (former SWPA winner)
Level: Professional
Category: Candid
Image series (of 5): “If You Don’t Drink Tea, You Are Not Chinese”
Khairel Anuar Che Ani, Kuala Lumpur
Level: Open
Category: Split Second
Single image: Girls at the Melasti Festival, Bali
Though he is a Quantity Surveyor by training, Khairel is an accomplished self-taught photographer, having exhibited and published his works in both Malaysia and the UK.
Theng Sin Chong, amateur photographer and traveler
Level: Open
Category: Low Light
Single image: “Cemetery in Iceland”
Joseph Cheung, Kuala Lumpur, amateur photographer and traveler
Level: Open
Category: Split Second
Single image: Boy at Tukad Yeh Unda River, Bali
Swee Choo Oh, based in the US
Level: Open
Category: Arts and Culture
Single image: Lady at a lantern store in Hoi An, Vietnam
Swee is an award-winning fine arts photographer with a background in architecture.
Tan Jia Yi, Selangor
Level: Open
Category: Travel
Single image: “Smiling Temple”
A passionate shutterbug for over 20 years, Tan now runs his own photography academy. In 2013, he snagged an award in the prestigious National Geographic Photography Contest.
Zhu Lin Ch’ng, Kuala Lumpur (shortlisted for the SWPA in 2015)
Level: Youth
Category: Culture
Single image: Night market in Thailand
Ramadhan Sinclair, Bangi
Level: Youth
Category: Culture
Single image: “One Of The Best”
Though just 17, Ramadhan began taking pictures at the age of 13. He is a student at SMK Jalan Reko, Kajang.
Congratulations and good luck, everyone!
For more information, visit www.worldphoto.org