BPS names Tutong entrepreneur as Best Photographer of the Year

THE Brunei Photographic Society (BPS) crowned an entrepreneur from Tutong as the best photographer for this year during their 32nd bi-annual meeting at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium yesterday.

Joseph Wong Siew Hang, who runs a shop dealing with photo equipment and services, received the "Best Photographer of the Year 2009" award from Director of Information Department Dr Muhammad Hadi Muhammad Malayong, the guest of honour at the event.

Held from January 1 to October 31, the competition for the prestigious title required participants to shoot and submit their best shots of various themes and subjects including, double portraits, recreation parks, creative silhouette, movements, still life and photojournalism.

"The objective of the competition is aimed to upgrade the standards and potential of photographers in the country," said the BPS.

The meeting also saw the re-election of Hj Mohd Yusof Mohd Yassin as the new president for the next two years.

Hj Mohd Yusof will also be appointing a new line-up of executive working committee members for the BPS.

A certificate was also awarded to incoming advisor to the society, Hj Jumat Hj Taha, who had been holding several executive posts in the society including the vice-president's position for many years.

BPS was set up in June 1968 by a small group of photographers, led by Hj Kamaluddin PDP Hj Abu Bakar, to improve the skills and appreciation, as well as raise interest and awareness, on the art of photography for those living in the Sultanate.

Hj Mohd Yusof said that there has been an increase in the interest of photography among the younger population of the country.

"Nowadays you can see a lot of teenagers always taking photos at both formal and informal functions. This is a very good hobby for them and maybe even a future career," he said, attributing this to the shift of photography technology towards the digital format.

He said that those with photography skills and experience are now considered as a valuable asset in the professional world.

"Photography knowledge is wanted in a lot of jobs such as journalism, the media ... anything that involves visual presentation," he said, adding that pictures can also help to record and document important moments of one's life.

He reminded Brunei's photographers to always sharpen their skills and techniques.

"We must remember to not only take photos but work on our technique. The most important thing is to know the basics," he said.

Hj Mohd Yusof said that there are many local photography enthusiasts who lack such basic knowledge. (Melvin Jong) The Brunei Times