NParks launches new national photo competition in celebration of Singapore's 50th birthday

Singapore, 6 September2014 – In celebration of Singapore’s 50^th birthday, NParks has announced a new year-long national photo competition on themes surrounding our City in a Garden. Launched today by Minister of State for National Development Mr Desmond Lee, the ‘Singapore Garden Photographer of the Year’ photo competition aims to create a greater appreciation and awareness of our natural heritage through the lens of the community. Participants can submit photographs of what they think best represents the four themes: “Singapore Botanic Gardens – Celebrating Our Heritage”, “Trees, Forests and Parks”, “People and Nature” and “Our BiodiverCITY”.

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister of State for National Development, said: “Our natural heritage speaks volumes in our development as a City in a Garden.  Through the ‘Singapore Garden Photographer of the Year’ competition, I hope that more people will have a greater and better appreciation of our natural heritage. Indeed, our natural heritage is our national heritage, and is a precious resource that mirrors our Singapore story.” 

Participants will compete for cash and camera prizes worth about $50,000. The overall best winner will walk away with a Nikon D610 kit, camera lens, and $3,000 cash. First prize winners of each theme will win a Nikon D5300 kit and $2,000 cash. The competition’s presenting sponsor is City Developments Limited (CDL), supported by Nikon and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH). It is also organised in partnership with the Garden City Fund (GCF) and Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS).

The photo competition will feature an open category and Instagram category. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in all four themes and submit them in both categories. For the open category, a maximum of 10 photographs per theme is allowed for each participant. All entries must be sent towww.nparks.gov.sg/sgpy. For the Instagram category, there is no limit on the number of entries that can be submitted. However, participants should include the hashtag #sgpy_<theme> in their picture descriptions.

In support of Singapore Botanic Gardens’ bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the first theme for the competition will be “Singapore Botanic Gardens – Celebrating Our Heritage”. From now till 7 January 2015, participants can submit photographs that feature the Gardens’ rich natural, historical and cultural heritage.

To kick start the photo competition today, Mr Desmond Lee joined some 50 photography enthusiasts for a workshop at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Participants learned useful tips and techniques from Mr Lee Tiah Khee, Chief Photographer of Lianhe Zaobao, before heading out to the Gardens for an outdoor photography session.

New photo exhibition at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Today marked the start of the ‘Lasting Impressions – the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ exhibition - a photo collection that features the Gardens’ rich heritage through its iconic landmarks and landscape. The exhibition is developed in collaboration with a community of photography enthusiasts who share a love for nature and the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

For the next six months, more than 50 photographs will be displayed at three locations in the Gardens; the Botany Centre (Tanglin Gate), Visitor Centre (Nassim Gate), and the entrance of the Bukit Timah Gate. The exhibition is free for the public.

The photography group is led by Mr Andrew JK Tan, a seasoned photographer with more than 30 years of experience. He regularly organises workshops and outings for budding photographers who are keen to learn more about the craft.

NParks will also be organising photography workshops in conjunction with the photo competition.  Interested members of the public can refer to the website www.nparks.gov.sg/sgpy for updates.