BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, September 7, 2008

AK Khairil Sapyri Pg Hj Hassan was declared the winner of the Best Photography Award, out of over 2,300 entries, for the Photographic Competition 2008 yesterday in conjunction with His Majesty's 62nd birthday celebration .

In the "Celebrations" theme which centred around the events celebrating His Majesty's birthday, Ak Khairil Sapyri Pg Hj Hassan earned top marks with a colourful shot of a girl who was all smiles while performing.

Dk Siti Munirah Pg Hj Damit was adjudged to have the best photography entry by a student.

Trailing close behind in the Celebrations theme were Hj Izad Rithauddin Hj Abd Majid and Hj Shamsuddin Idris in second and third place respectively.

In the "People" theme which focused on individuals that make up the Bruneian community and identity, Hassan Hj Zunaidi won first place, followed by Adi Putera Hj Abd Hamid and Ismail Umar in second and third spots respectively.

Amri Hj Md Salleh emerged champion in the Cultural Heritage theme, which centred around the traditional artefacts, costumes and rituals that set Brunei unique from the rest of the world. Pg Hj Sulaiman Pg Md Salleh claimed the second place, while Zaki Hj Sahak took the third place in the Cultural Heritage theme.

In the "Environment" theme which centred around Brunei Darussalam's renowned flora and fauna, scenery as well as people's involvement in conserving natural resources, Adi Putera Hj Abd Hamid proved to be the cream of the crop, while Mazmewati Mazali and Dk Siti Munirah Pg Hj Damit had to settle for second and third place respectively.

The top three entries will receive US$1,500, US$1,000 and US$500 receptively.

The final 80 photographs will be on display in an exhibition at The Mall which is open to the public until Monday.

The exhibition will later make its way to the other three districts in Brunei.

The 80 finalists together with other selected entries will be published in a commemorative book to be presented to His Majesty at a later date.

First-placed winner of the "Cultural Heritage" theme, 30-year-old Amri Hj Md Salleh said that he did not expect to win with his black and white photo of a padian (person selling fruits and vegetables on a boat) paddling across the Brunei River.

Describing the padian as an extinct part of Bruneian culture, he also admitted that the shot was taken with his very first camera, a humble "point and shoot".

Four judges, namely High Court Judge Datin Paduka Hjh Hayati, Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) Acting Chairman Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, Standard Chartered Bank Chief Executive Officer Tiew Siew Chuen and Jurutera Tempatan Chairman Dato Paduka Hj Noordin Mohd Yusof, deliberated on the three top photos for four themes.

Offering a total of US$12,000 in prize money, the competition was organised by The Brunei Times and the Information Department at the Prime Minister's Office, and supported by the Brunei Darussalam Association of Photographers and the Brunei Photographic Society.

The competition, which also attracted entries from international photojournalists, was sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum, Sahid Sdn Bhd, TSL Construction Sdn Bhd and GHK Motors Sdn Bhd. (NAS1)

The Brunei Times

Complete report - For your eyes only

Click here to view the winners.