TEACHING FROM EXPERIENCE: Leong (second right) conducting a fashion photo-shoot class.
KUCHING: Response to the photojournalism competition of Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA), Sarawak branch was overwhelming with more than 100 entries received at the close of submission.
Of the total, more than 60 entries were submitted for the amateur category.
Judging of the photographs was conducted last Saturday and the judges admitted having a tough time deciding the winners as the quality of the entries was impressive.
All the winners will be announced at the prize presentation ceremony to be held at the Spring Shopping Mall here on Oct 20.
Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh will present the prizes to the winners.
The good response to this year’s competition could be due to the attractive prizes offered that include scholarship for Certificate in Photography, photo printers, cash, and cash vouchers.
In the media category, the first prize winner will receive a scholarship worth RM5,500 for Certificate in Photography at Open University Malaysia (OUM), RM700 and a printer.
The second prize winner will get RM500, a printer and RM300 discount voucher while the third prize winner will receive RM300, a camera backpack and RM200 discount voucher.
Five consolation prize winners will each take home RM150 cash and a RM100 discount voucher.
In the amateur category, the first prize winner will receive a RM5,500 scholarship for Certificate in Photography at OUM, RM600 cash and a photo printer.
The second prize winner will receive RM400 cash, a photo printer and a RM300 discount voucher while the third prize winner bags RM200 cash, a camera backpack and RM200 discount voucher.
All consolation prize winners will each receive RM100 cash and RM100 discount voucher.
The scholarships and discount vouchers are sponsored by Alvin Leong Academy.
“My intention is to see more photo enthusiasts receive formal training; the scholarship may be for certificate level but is a good start,” said Leong the academy’s founder and professional photographer.
“We teach from experience and our instructors are professional photographers well versed with practical photography,” he added.
The academy is collaborating with the Open University Malaysia-School of Lifelong Learning (OUM-SOLL) and the Wedding and Portrait Photographers Malaysia (WPPM) to endorse all the courses offered.
The courses offered by the academy include Career Certificate in Photography for four months, Executive Diploma in Photography (six months), and Professional Diploma in Photography (one year).
After completing their courses at the academy, students have the opportunity to do internship with studios that are members of the WPPM nationwide.
Meanwhile Cannon Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd and CJA, Sarawak branch sponsor the other prizes.
The competition was organised in conjunction with the Commonwealth Education Carnival (CEC), which will be held from Oct 19 to 21 at the Spring Shopping Mall.
All entries submitted will be displayed at the CEC and all the photographs put up for auction. The starting price will be RM50 with each bid not less than RM10.
Details on the carnival are available at www.commonwealtheducationcarnival.com.