Photomalaysia.com Photo of the Year 2008

[Steven Leong]

Photomalaysia.com Photo of the Year 2008



1st May 2009 - Photomalaysia.com is proud to announce Photomalaysia.com's Photo of the Year 2008.

The award for 2008 goes to Rarindra Prakarsa, who won the judges' votes unanimously.

"I began as amateur photographer since 1995 when I first own a Nikon FM2 camera with some lenses. But I learn photography since 1992 when I studied in Polytechnic University of Indonesia. In the first of my amateur photography I really love journalism and street photography. I love dark room process too. And in 1998 I quit from photography until 2003 when I start again with digital camera. I bought Canon G5 at that time and sold all my analog gears. And begin to love human photography.", Rarindra said.

On photography, he adds, "Photography to me is to illustrate my interesting of every aspects of human and their nature. And I think my country, Indonesia, with many ethnics and culture is very rich with uniqueness. I like to photograph native people, so walk around from kampong to kampong (villages) to meet them make me happy."

Rarindra's winning photo was taken in Serpong, West Java of a farmer, Mr Waji and his grandson on a local government owned paddy field. As a native, Mr. Waji's land occupied by government about 30 years ago for the National Laboratory of Technology, Indonesia.



For his photo, Rarindra will receive a Canon EOS 40D + 18-55IS kit lens sponsored by Canon Marketing (M) Sdn. Bhd. who also graciously lent us the usage of the CPS (Canon Professional Services) Lounge located at their headquaters at Paremba Square, The Saujana, Shah Alam for the judging

The judges for PM.com's Photo of the Year 2008 in alphabetical order were:

• Jen Siow - Jenhor Siow Photographer, Portrait Artist, Educator and VR developer. Better known in the industry as beauty and fashion photographer Jen Siow.
  With a career spanning 3 decades, he has worked with some of the most famous and beautiful people for editorial, beauty, and advertising industry. Having a pioneering spirit he is always the industry first to embrace any new styles and technology.
  He has a global clientele with clients from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Lebanon and as far as Russia. His passion in creating awesome photography is well noticed and appreciated by his clients. He continues to be sought-after for his lighting and rapport with models.
  
• Patrick Low - Renowned wedding photographer who has been a professional photographer for the past 20 years. Patrick is the first Malaysian in top 40 photographers of the year on top of winning it for 4 consecutive times in 2006 & 3 consecutive times in 2007 in different categories in Wedding Photojournalist Association competitions.
  
• Steve Chong - Steve found his niche in conceptual and surrealistic photography, a passion that he pursues fervently. His tireless efforts and photographic eye have earned him international accolades from Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, USA, Singapore and Luxembourg and Malaysia, ranging from 1st prizes, gold medals to silvers and bronzes. Steve Chong is currently the vice president of the Photographic Society of Negeri Sembilan and contributing editor for Photo Creator and Advanced Images. He is also a moderator from Fotografer.net, the largest Photography forum in Indonesia.
  
• Teoh Peng Kee - Representative of Canon Marketing (M) Sdn. Bhd. A photography professional that is well-known in the industry for more than 20 years. Besides his obvious expertise in Canon cameras in general, he is known to have a intense passion for photography and have been the driving force behind the Canon EOS system's adoption among professionals and amateurs alike throughout Malaysia.
  
• Vincent Thian - Associated Press Chief Photographer for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, also President of Malaysia Chinese Photojournalists Association, cover international breaking news, sports events all over Asia.
  

For behind the scenes look at the judging, click here

[LoctorMayat]

Wah.. congratulasi !!!!

Wot a nice photo

[maxby]

Congratulations..

[jebatqatar]

Pak Rarindra,

Kongratulasi....

[azmibogart]

Tahniah Pak..., your photos inspired me and others to work harder and think smarter...

[Steven Leong]

Judges' Comments on Photomalaysia Photo of the Year 2008 Finalists

Haystack Happiness by Jonathan Kwok - … You don't need to be rich to have fun. Here, some poor peasant children were enjoying childhood’s simple pleasures of rolling and teasing one another in a haystack. Photographed in a rural village in Andhra Pradesh, India, I chanced upon this scene which spoke a powerful message of simplicity, innocence and unbridled joy.

Judge 1 - "The fill in flash in the image had made the image looks like of flat. Perhaps some motion blur might have add more interest to the shot. "
Judge 2 - "Too busy with similar tone, the girl in red can be omitted."
Judge 3 - "front subject out, not even 1 giving the best action. You have more than 10 sec to capture this, may be you choose the wrong action."

Foreign Influence by hackzhai - A drip brewed coffee that originated from Pike Place Market, Seattle was melting the city folks night and day!

Judge 1 - "The red patch is distracting, the spine of the newspaper cuts the photo into two."
Judge 2 - "no storyline, unless the news is related to the cup of coffee. Red light on left looks funny."
Judge 3- "Without the explanation, I really cant understand the motive behind the image. The cup and the paper has not apparent relationship between them, as a matter of fact they are competing with each other, demanding attention."

Beautiful Smile by szefei - A smile is beautiful with all its charm

Judge 1 - "Nice high key shot"
Judge 2 - "The baby’s parents would be a very happy couple to see the image."
Judge 3 - "overexposed, need more expression."

Rain by ken eng - A graphic outlook on a rainy day at Taiping Lake.

Judge 1 - "Good composition, but shadow details are lost."
Judge 2 - "Artistic composition, can be a winning shot if details on boat can be increase."
Judge 3 - "I like the mode as well as the bold composition, I just wish the rows had more detail."

Motherly Love by HT Low - A great mother feeding her child in traditional way in middle of the sea not far from Semporna

Judge 1 - "The rope behind & blue area spoil the shot, your eyes can’t focus on the main subject."
Judge 2 - "Nice human interest composition, however distracting backgrounds is a major concern."
Judge 3 - "While examining the prints, I find the image was out of focus. It may look fine on the screen, however, the baby’s face is a bit soft in print. The background and the cyan color object are kind of clutter."

Traditional Ear-Waxing by Shaun Tan - This pic was shot in one of the barber store in Pulau Ketam.. I was fascinated by the way the shopkeeper cleaned the earwax of one of his customer's ear.. he did it slowly and patiently.. A long lens was used in order to not distract him and a bounced fill in light was used to illuminate the subjects' faces..

Judge 1 - "Lack of details in shadows."
Judge 2 - "Nice but details in dark area lost, can be a winning shot if you can increase the shadow area in hair area."
Judge 3 - "I only had one small pick of the image, I would like to see some highlight on the hair, I could understand too that there could be little the photographer do while photographing the image."

Brotherhood by manz - Caring brother holds his little one with a moment of solidarity and brotherhood. Captured this moment while my kids get bored after 3rd days of Hari Raya at 'kampung' and asking his brother to follow him to the shop with 'duit Raya' to spent.

Judge 1 - "Bigger boy’s head blending into the background, blue rectangle is a source of distraction"
Judge 2 - "Not enough action on kids."
Judge 3 - "I like the off-center composition, however, the image lacks the WOW factor. From the print we can’t really tell what the taller subject is holding."

Untitled by rarindra - This was taken in Serpong, West Java. A misty place 40 km from Jakarta. Actually this place located inside the Natianal
Lab. of Technology. The farmer is Mr Waji. And the paddy field is not belong to him but local government. As a native, his land occupied by government about 30 years ago for this Lab. At that time Mr Waji glad that his grand son came to the field.

Judge 1 - "Great atmosphere, feeling, nice composition."
Judge 2 - "My favorite, good lighting with story, it’s good to crop off left tree & right a little, remain 2 tree & leave the subject at 2/3 on the right bottom."
Judge 3 - "This is a very nicely captured shot. The exposure, lighting, composition and point of interst are all there. I like especially the backlit treament to the image."

[jusoh]

congratulation...

[Steven Leong]

Reflection by csfoo - It was captured at Loch Lomond, Scotland. It was a cold winter afternoon and the misty atmosphere was pefect for the mood that I was looking for.

Judge 1 - "Artistic, but not a 1st placing photo."
Judge 2 - "Tonal quality is rather flat."
Judge 3 - "I like the mode as well. However, I just wish there is something that could hold my interest longer."

Tranquility by csfoo - It was captured during blue hour at Pulau Tiga (aka The Survival Island), Sabah.

Judge 1 - "I like the composition and the perspective of the image. The toning is almost like a infra-red image, the water had became white. I find the sky could be given a stronger burning such that it would be come more dramatic."
Judge 2 - "Lost of details in sea area, sky can be darker & more contrast."
Judge 3 - "Nice shot with almost infrared red look. It would be great if there are more clouds to add excitement to the picture"

Vanishing Heritage by teohjitkhiam - As the actor daubs makeup and vanishes into an opera character, so will the art itself. Lacking an apprentice, his skills and knowledge will likely be lost along with him upon his passing. That night at the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, I bore witness to the passing of an age.

Judge 1 - "Lighting is very flat."
Judge 2 - "Lighting issue, too soft & subject is too middle."
Judge 3 - "The composition is a bit too static and too close to the center. On the other hand the lighting in the image was flat, there is no highlight. Perhaps a monochrome treatment would have add more interest to the shot."

Judge 4 - Had made this general comment about all the images
"Basically almost half of the picture gone in final are over sharpen and the print quality are very poor, can't see much detail on print out, also notice some picture are not framed well. The winning picture are very simple, strong on framing, light, detail, showing the detail of layer in the background, although it may looks like saloon type of picture but this could be a very good example for photographer who should know basic rather then do what you want, there are no rules on how you want to present your picture, but there are still some requirements for a good picture."

[teohjitkhiam]

a well deserved and inspiring win by rarindra. now have to really think and snap smarter for the monthly contests.

[Steven Leong]

For behind the scenes look at the judging, click here

[jimjim]

Congratulations.............

[mhogolf]

congrats rarindra!

some 'funny' comments from the judges on the photos though ..

[Steven Leong]

Have just informed Kristupa who runs the largest Photography forum in Indonesia, Fotografer.net.

Here is his post about Photomalaysia.com Photo of the Year 2008 on Fotografer.net

[tzywen]

Congratz to rarindra!

judges' comments on the finalists' photos are also very insightful

[chenws]

congrats Rarindra.

He was in KL last year. I managed to attend his lecture. I had always admired his work.

Here's the link to some of his best. Be ready to be blown away! And I'm not joking.

http://photo.net/photos/rarindra

[eddieputera]

I wonder who the gentlemen at far right and far left in the photo above.Look so familiar.. hik hik hik...

[mac]

congratulation to the winners, sponsors and also to those involve in the project.

[Jamaloogy]

he deserve the win.
this image gives me goosebump when I first saw it..

[david.tan]

well deserved !

[Manta]

Congratulations!

The judges' comments were insightful in that it helps to see what they are looking for and their thought process! Future competitors should not feel complacent that their images look subjectively very good but to at first benchmark against the salient points raised in the judges comments.

Not only I can foresee quality images submitted in but result in the bar raised higher come judging time!