Make a difference, one click at a time

Contest participants urged to capture kindness on camera to raise awareness

KUALA LUMPUR: Photography can change a person’s perception and this is what the Go Care Charity Photography Contest aims to achieve.

The contest is organised by the Crisis Relief Squad of MCA in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Photography Association.

It aims to combine both photography and charity.

In calling for submissions of “meaningful photographs”, association president Ng Wei Lee said it was in line with the contest’s theme “Loving Caring Sharing Malaysia”.

“Today, most mobile phones have a camera, so many people are taking their own photos.

“We want photos of people caring for the environment or charity programmes,” said Ng, citing incidents such as the recent Penang floods which showed acts of kindness captured in photos to bring about greater public awareness.

“Instead of taking pictures of food, maybe people can shift to capturing meaningful photos that depict sharing and caring,” he added.

Ng said the contest is divided into two categories – Open Group – for all Malaysians with no age limit, and Student Group, for those aged between 12 and 18.

In line with the charitable aim of the contest, he said those who want to participate in the Open Group are required to make a minimum donation of RM10 for each photo submission.

Ng said the proceeds would go to three organisations: Malaysian Nature Society, National Autism Society of Malaysia and PAWS Animal Welfare Society.

“We hope to raise about RM30,000,” he said.

The best 100 photographs will be exhibited at selected shopping malls in the Klang Valley.

MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Seri Michael Chong said he hoped the contest would spur interest in both photography and charitable work.

Chong, who is also the association’s adviser, said photography mirrors everyday life.

“In photography, as in life, we aim (for something) and capture it. But if the picture is not good, we erase it and take another shot. That’s what we should do in life,” he said.

The public can visit www.gocare.org.my or call 032203 3920 for more information.

The contest will run until Feb 25.