Five Malaysian photographers honored in 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

201701190626104048.png

In conjunction with the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards, the judges have spoken and shortlisted five Malaysian photographers into the world’s top ten in the awards ‘Open and Student Focus’ competition. The five photographers are Nursyafiqah Azlan, Ann Ric, Foley Hits, Jian Seng Soh, and Yong Lin Tan. Below is the list of categories and image title the participants took:

  • Ann Ric, Open Nature category - ‘Moody’

701_1369_AnnRic_Malaysia_Open_Nature_2017.jpeg

Ann Ric’s shortlisted image ‘Moody.’ is a fascinating image of the Mount Fuji and the lake Kawaguchiko, taken two days before the 2016 Fujisan Marathon. Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island, is an active volcano, the highest peak of Japan and one of the country’s ‘Three Holy Mountains’. Shot from the lake level, the image offers an impressive view of the Mount Fuji.

  • Foley Hits, Open Culture category - ‘Fire Dancer’

381_1041_FoleyHits_Malaysia_Open_Culture_2017.jpg

Foley Hits’ shortlisted image ‘Fire Dancer’, taken in an annual fire festival in Taiwan, is an impressive colorful image capturing the ritual and festive atmosphere of the celebration. The extraordinary festival includes performances and parades in front of massive fireworks.

  • Jian Seng Soh, Open Street Photography category - ‘Going Home’

1043_1711_JianSengSoh_Malaysia_Open_StreetPhotography_2017.JPG

Soh’s shortlisted image ‘Going Home’, taken in Kyoto, Japan, is a black-and-white photograph portraying a Japanese student on his way to school. Describing his image, Soh comments: “I was surprised to see most of the young Japanese children commuting to school on a daily basis, without a guardian in sight. Their strong degree of independence has gained my respect. But what really astonished me is their culture and safety that has been developed and polished for many years. In my hometown, it is uncommon for the young to commute to school or places on their own.

  • Yong Lin Tan, Open Enhanced category - ‘Fish Park’

501_1161_YongLinTan_Malaysia_Open_Enhanced_2017.jpg

Tan’s shortlisted image ‘Fish Park’ is an extraordinary image taken from the balcony of his flat. The photograph was composited and manipulated in order to deliver the photographer’s surreal feeling of living in a concrete jungle and express his desire for freedom.  

  • Nursyafiqah Azlan, Student Focus competition - ‘Unforgettable Memories’

1311_2651_NursyafiqahAzlan_Malaysia_StudentFocus_2017.jpg

Azlan’s shortlisted image ‘Unforgettable Memories’, was taken during a family trip at Malaysia’s most renowned historical place, Melaka. It shows Azlan’s grandmother reuniting with the youngest of her grandchildren and it creates a beautiful memory to recall. The joy and sorrow of her life journey are rendered as framed photographs on the wall, forming unforgettable memories.

The photographers will now compete to win their categories and the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards’ Photographer of the Year title. The Open category winners will be announced March 28, the overall winner and the Student Focus winner revealed at an awards ceremony in London on April 20. Prizes include the latest Sony digital imagery equipment, a trip to the awards ceremony in London and $30,000 US dollars in cash prizes. The Student Focus winner will receive €30,000 (Euros) of Sony equipment for their university.

The work of all the shortlisted photographers will also be shown alongside the awards’ other shortlisted and winning images at the Sony World Photography Awards & Martin Parr – 2017 Exhibition in London from April 21-May 7.

The judges of the Sony World Photography Awards also commended eleven Malaysian photographers in the awards’ Open competition.  The photographers placed top 50 in the world for their images are:

  • Aaron Ng, Culture category
  • Andrew Lim, Nature category
  • Azman Karib Ibrahim, Motion category
  • Edwin Ong Wee Kee, Travel category
  • MUN KHEAN WONG, Architecture category
  • Muslianshah Bin Masrie, commended twice in Culture category
  • Ruzely Abdullah, Street Photography category
  • Sian Kooi Kua, Travel category
  • Swee Hoe Lim, Culture category
  • Danny Yen Sin Wong, Travel category
  • Wong Wai Sun, Travel category 

Shortlisted images from across all competitions are available for publication at www.worldphoto.org/press. Stay tuned for more Sony news at TechNave.com.