"Canon Photo Clinic in Japan Exhibition with Asia Talented Amateur Photographers” was held in Singapore. This exhibition featured the photographs taken in Japan by the participants of the Canon Photo Clinic 2016, as well as the photographs taken by winners of the Canon PhotoMarathon Asia events held in 2015, one of Asia’s largest photo competitions. Additionally, the venue played host to workshops held by Singaporean professional photographers, and a press conference where several of the exhibited works were awarded. Here is a quick report on the exhibition.
Asia’s perspective on photography becomes a new opportunity for cultural exchange
Coinciding with the anniversary of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations (SJ50), the Japan Creative Centre (JCC), housed in a former colonial bungalow on Nassim Road in Singapore, hosted the "Canon Photo Clinic in Japan Exhibition with Asia Talented Amateur Photographers”, on 6 August & 10 - 13 August 2016.
Established November 2009, JCC is a joint venture between the Singapore and Japanese governments, and forms the main hub in Singapore and Asia for providing information on Japanese culture, through regularly organized events, promoting innovation, arts, design, fashion, and popular culture.
Hallway at the Japanese Creative Centre displaying the photographs taken by the participants of the Canon Photo Clinic 2016
At the venue, visitors were treated to the splendid pictures taken by amateur photographers from 10 different countries in Asia, on their visit to the Tohoku region and various places on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, during an 8-day photography trip, the Canon Photo Clinic 2016.
These talented photographers were the grand prize winners of each regional Canon PhotoMarathon in 2015, which are photo competitions held throughout Asia, which challenges participants to create photographic masterpieces in line with themes assigned, on location, and within a time limit. The winnings shots from these competitions were displayed at the Centre as well.
The unique works featured compositions with a distinct sense, as they were captured by the photographer, who at times approached the portrait subject and conveyed the intention of their work to their subject, which is a perspective uncommon among Japanese photographers, making the exhibition an opportunity for cultural exchange between Asia and Japan.
The exhibition received a thumbs up from all guests
Each evening also featured a workshop by prominent Singaporean photographers, who discussed their field of expertise, as well as shared their experience of shooting photography in Japan. Their talks gained a lot of attention by students and enthusiast photographers who aspire to become professional.
Workshops by:
・Triston Yeo (travel photography)
・William Tan (underwater photography)
・Lenne Chai (fashion photography)
・Shaun Tan Chung Weng (winner of Photo Face-off Season 2 and winner of Photo Clinic 2016)
Additionally, a sneak preview to the third season of HISTORY's photography competition series, Photo Face-Off, was displayed as well. This anticipated season features a mixed bag of contestants – from a student as young as 13 years of age to a hearing impaired university student, all of whom reflect the remarkable diversity of Asia, vying for the top prize. In each episode, there will be 2 challenges to determine the winner and a face-off against professional photographer and judge, Justin Mott, for bragging rights. The new season premiered 8 September.
Tristan Lim proudly showing his award-winning photograph to Ms. Noriko Gunji, President and CEO of Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd.
At the press conference, held 11 August, Ms. Noriko Gunji, newly appointed President and CEO of Canon Singapore, spoke about the success of the Canon PhotoMarathon events and how this photo competition in Asia is becoming more and more popular.
Tristan Lim Tung Sun, one of the photographers representing Singapore in the third season of Photo Face-Off, and participant of the Canon Photo Clinic 2016, was awarded the JNTO Award by Mr. Masatoshi Miyake, Executive Director of Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Mr. Lim was additionally awarded the Ambassador’s Award by His Excellency Kenji Shinoda, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, who praised his work and stated that his photos show that "there is so much of Japan that even we Japanese have not discovered."
EOS 5D Mark III/ EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM/ FL: 70mm/ Aperture-priority AE (f/5.6, 1/500 sec)/ ISO 100
JNTO Award, photo by Tristan Lim Tung Sun
EOS 70D/ EF-S10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM/ FL: 10mm (16mm equivalent)/ Aperture-priority AE (f/4.5, 1/400 sec, EV-0.3)/ ISO 200
Ambassador’s Award, photo by Tristan Lim Tung Sun
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