Physician with a passion for photography
SIBU-born Edwin Ong Wee Kee is no ordinary Chinese physician as he not only knows how to fix fractured bones and cure ailments but also takes prizewinning photographs.
Of late, his passion for photography has brought him fame.
The 45-year-old, who operates a Chinese medicine centre in Sibu town, is the first Malaysian to win the Hamdan International Photography Award 9 (HIPA) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He received US$120,000 (RM500,000) plus a certificate and a trophy.
Ong admitted his victory did not sit well with other photographers but he isn’t overly-concerned about it.
“I cannot care so much about what other people think. To me, a win is a win,” he told thesundaypost.
HIPA is an international photography award initiated in 2011 under the patronage of Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Rashid Mohamed Maktouis. It offers a total prize of US$400,000, the biggest monetary award for a photography contest in the world. Single entry Ong submitted a single entry, capturing the quintessence of a Vietnamese mother, who refused to let her speech disorder dampen her spirit to evoke a sense of strength for her child.
“The judges said it’s the expression of hope I captured in my photo of all mothers to give the best to their children that won me the award,” he said.
It was actually his sixth try before taking the prestigious award.
Ong shot the winning photo during a trip to North Vietnam with a group of photographers from Malaysia on May 26, 2018.
“We parked our cars near a cultivated farm and, initially, our intention was to photograph a group of farmers tending their crops.
“But as we walked along, we saw this woman breastfeeding her child and our tour guide sought her permission to let us to take photos of her,” he recalled.
Ong said he would share some of the prize money with the woman if he met her again on his next trip to North Vietnam.
Winning HIPA is the dream of all photographers and Ong advised newbies to always stay positive and look at the bright side.
“Hopefully one day, I’ll have the opportunity to share my skills with the new generation of photographers.” Going for it Not one to rest on past laurels, Ong will continue to explore new frontiers to realise his dream of becoming a top photographer.
On his list of upcoming competitions are the Sony World Photography Award, the Nikon Photo Contest and the National Geographic World Legacy Award.
He will make history if he could win these three awards – plus HIPA already under his belt – as no Malaysian has swept all the four titles before – a feat dubbed the Grand Slam of Photography Contests.
“It’s going to take a lot courage and determination to win all four – definitely the most daunting challenge for any photographer,” he said.
Ong is also the serial winner of the International Salon of Photography Competition, amassing a total of 41 gold medals from 2014 to 2019.
About 50 such competitions are organised every month by the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and Ong rarely misses out.
“I love to participate and the more I participate, the more I learn. Competing not only boosts my confidence but also motivates me to improve my skills and the techniques,” he said. Late bloomer Ong is a late bloomer, only starting to take an interest in photography while in primary school. Back then, he couldn’t afford a camera and had to borrow from friends when he wanted to take pictures.
In 2010 when his financial situation improved, he bought his first camera, a Nikon D-90.
“I was so happy and excited. With a camera of my own, I could take pictures anytime I wanted. If I came across anything interesting, I would stop to snap it,” he recalled.
However, Ong soon realised taking pictures wasn’t all that simple. And as he found out, it not only requires special skills but also patience and perseverance.
He learned that apart from things like quality cameras, lenses and ideal lightings, the ability to compose good a photograph is also very important.
He continued to upgrade his skills through research, and tips from friends and fellow photographers.
In the later half of 2010, he bought his second camera, a Nikon D-7000. More were to follow, including Nikon DF, N750, N850, and D-800.
He now carries his two old faithfuls – Nikon DF and Nikon 750 – in his camera bag wherever he goes. Consolation award Although still a novice, he started taking part in photography competitions both locally and internationally.
His first local contest was the Sarikei Pesta Nanas in 2010, which won him a consolation prize. It was enough to convince him he had what it took to match the more established photographers. And he has never looked back since.
Among the many local photography competitions Ong has taken part in over the past few years are Beautiful Sibu and This is My Home, Sibu, organised by the Sibu Photographic Society and the Sibu Eng Ang Teng Temple Committee.
During that time, he also participated in several national photography contests.
All in all, he has joined more than 380 international photography competitions and won some 300 medals of all colours, including the 41 gold in the International Salon of Photography Competition.
It’s certainly no mean feat but Ong will not sit on his achievements.
“I’ll continue to improve on areas where I’m still lacking and seek advice from my mentors. It’s a lifelong learning process. Almost every day, we encounter different subjects and different environments when out shooting with our cameras.”
He believes investing in cameras can be beneficial if one knows how to make full use of one’s photographic talents. More titles In 2014, Ong received the title of Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS). It was the beginning of more accolades to come – among them Proficiency of The Photography Society of America (PSA) in 2015, Excellence of The Photography Society of America (EPSA) in 2016, Sony World Photography Award in Open Competition for Commended Photographer and Bronze Medal in the Malaysia National Awards in 2017, and Master of Photography Society of America (MPSA) in 2018. These are the distinctions in photography he has received so far. He’s also a life member of the Photographic Society of Sibu, where he once served as a vice president. Ong’s forte One of only four MPSA holders in Malaysia, Ong’s forte is photographing human subjects and cultural backgrounds of the various communities.
“Life is full of beautiful people and beautiful little moments if you take the time to look. I enjoy looking at people. Their facial expressions fascinate me. I watch and see how people interact before looking for a perfect angle to shoot their pictures.
“Looking through the viewfinder puts me completely in the zone. It helps me connect with people in a different way – through the lens rather than on the stage,” he said.
For him, each portrait he takes is an effort in understanding the feelings of the subject.
“I want to capture things like how people see the world and how it relates to their daily life,” he said.
It’s never easy to take good pictures. Ask any photographer, the answer is always the same.
“You need an interesting background, good lighting, hand dexterity, and the ability to tell that the subject has fit into the composition you have in mind before you can shoot a good picture.
“We just have to focus and refocus, adjust and readjust to look for that perfect moment. Sometimes, I take 20 to 30 random pictures just to feel comfortable. And when I start shooting, I’d be like a madman, clicking away till I get what I’m looking for. Then I’ll calm down and look for other things.” Touring the world Ong has travelled extensively in his photographic pursuits, always keeping a sharp eye out for that one exclusive award-winning shot.
Since 2013, he has been joining world tours, organised by Steve Chong Photography Trip, Yak Koh Hing Photography Trip, Danny Wong Photography Trip, Aaron Ng Photography Trip, and Mandarin Photography Trip, to places like Russia, Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan, Beijing, Guiling, Indonesia, and Maluku Islands.
“I have come across many people with different facial features and they inspire me,” he said.
Having found his niche in photography, he is now coming up with a book portraying the life of the Iban community in pictures. It will be ready in three months.
He is also planning another pictorial book on the Chinese, Malay, Melanau, and Kayan communities, if the situation permits.
“Taking pictures on human subjects is my passion. I’ll continue to travel the world to seek opportunities to bring my works to greater heights,” he said.