Beautiful Penang through the lens
(September 20th, 2008)THOUSANDS pass by this place daily at Victoria Street, Penang, but how many actually stop to ponder on its beauty? One man, Sam Lim, stopped and took a photograph of this historic building and the picture made him RM3,000 richer.
His photograph of the state Customs Department building in Weld Quay is simple but breathtaking with the old clock tower looming tall against a blue sky.
Lim’s winning photo outlines the beauty of the historic Custom’s building in Weld Quay.
Lim’s photograph is adjudged the best in the ‘Capturing the Beauty of Heritage George Town’ photography contest, beating about 1,000 other entries, after a long search by the contest’s judges who included Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik, Penang Photographic Merchant Association chairman Lim Kim Cheei and committee member Ooi Pin Hoe, heritage researcher Tan Yeow Wooi and InPenang managing director Ch’ng Huck Theng.
The photo also bags Lim a digital camera and a certificate besides the RM3,000 prize money.
The contest was organised by the state government in collaboration with the Photographic Society of Penang and the Penang Photography Merchants Association.
Ng said the winners would be notified of their success and the prize-giving ceremony would be held on Oct 5.
Oh’s photo of a lion dance performance at the Khoo Kongsi was selected as the second-prize winning picture.
All entries must depict either the celebration of Penang’s listing as a World Heritage Site or the best view or living heritage of George Town within the core heritage zone or buffer zone.
The second prize comprising RM2,000 cash, a digital camera and certificate, goes to Kwong Wah Yit Poh photographer Oh Choi Yen, 31, who took an action photo of a lion dance at the Khoo Kongsi.
The third prize goes to Goh Seong Por, 34, who took a picture of St George’s Church. Goh won RM1,000, a digital camera and certificate.
Winners of the special prizes are Quah Hui Zhi, Lim Chye Hock, Tan Wei Sern, Looi Hwa Min, Koh Kok Khoon, Looi Teong Hong, Lim Lean Eng, Kim Chong Keat and Kay Hean Kuen.
They each win RM200 cash and certificate, with the exception of Lim Chye Hock whose two entries are selected for the special prizes.
The consolation prizes go to Yeoh Gaik Choo, Ng Choo Kuan, Lim Ah Bah, Cheah Cheng Huat, Alan Ch’ng Swee Hock, Cheng Shiau Khian, Ng Wei Chean and Chan Keat Leong.
They will receive RM100 and a certificate each except for Yeoh and Choo Kuan who will take home two consolation prizes each as they have each sent in two winning entries.
By LOOI SUE CHERN of The Star Newspaper