Organise events for shutterbugs during VSY, society told
SIBU: The Photographic Society of Sibu (PSS) is told to organise competitions among society members and the public to take snapshots of various interesting events during Visit Sibu Year (VSY) 2017.
In making the call, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said their photos would be an invaluable record of VSY 2017.
“The signature events of Sibu such as Borneo Cultural Festival, Sibu International Dance Festival and Sibu International Base Jump have always been the focus of many local and regional photographers.
“Therefore, I encourage photographers to grab the opportunities to challenge yourselves to produce good master pieces,” he said when officiating at the photography collection sharing session ‘The Penan through the lens’ here yesterday.
Former deputy minister of education Datuk Hon Choon Kim was among those present to share his collection.
Tiong, who is also Dudong assemblyman, said photography has become popular because the hobby could be used to express oneself creatively, adding that professional photographers have an extensive amount of options to shape their photos.
‘The Penan through the lens’ could be an interesting sharing session for photography enthusiasts as the photos captured the portraits and life of the indigenous group, besides portraying the rich heritage of the state.
“Sarawak has a vast and wonderful natural setting for photographers who love nature and cultural heritage themes,” Ting said.
He was happy to note that many PSS members have earned their professional titles and recognition through photographs taken in those settings.
In her address earlier, PSS organising chairperson Daphne Lau Sheng Yan said the aim of holding this event was to increase awareness and understanding of the Penans among Sibu people, especially among the younger generation.
Adding on, she said even though the Penans seemed like relics of the past, they deserve a future as much as other human beings. She added that much sacrifice and labour was needed in making a photo album collection of this sort.
“For example, to make this album ‘Penan through the lens’ Hon had to travel to the interior of Sarawak where the Penans live for around 14 times to capture the essence of Penan life.
“I hope that one day l may be able to join other youngsters to capture more photos of the Penans so that this group will be given a voice and not be forgotten by society,” Lau said.
The signature events of Sibu such as Borneo Cultural Festival, Sibu International Dance Festival and Sibu International Base Jump have always been the focus of many local and regional photographers. — Datuk Tiong Thai King, Sibu Municipal Council chairman