Ngee Ann Photographer of the Year 2023- Mr Liew Tong Leng

Ngee Ann Photographer of the Year 2023

Mr Liew Tong Leng

FPSS. ESPSS

Liew Tong Leng was born in Singapore in 1969 and has devoted himself to photography for 31 years. He started his photography journey in 1992, inspired by his circle of friends who were photography enthusiasts. Little did he know then that this hobby would blossom into a full-blown passion that would take him to places he could never have imagined.

Trained as an engineer, Liew naturally gravitates towards understanding the finer mechanics of a camera and the details of the images he creates. This profound knowledge is something he imparts to his students – concepts that he has personally mulled over to fully fathom, then succinctly put in words to make it comprehensible for the layman.

In addition to the Science of photography, is the Art of it and Liew has spent many years cultivating a creative eye. Never bound by themes posed to him, this talented photographer pushes the boundaries of interpretation, and uses his technical know-how to create images that are not only technically superior, but also beautifully and artistically crafted.

As a testimony to his technical and artistic talent, Liew has clinched over 200 photography awards, including the “Great Eastern 4th Photography Competition” in 2004, “Best of Asian Aerospace Photography Contest” in 2004, “The Big Shot” organised by Nikon Singapore on the National Television programme in 2010, 2012 International Loupe Awards, Asian Geographic Photography Competition in 2020 and many others. He was also conferred the Fellowship of The Photographic Society of Singapore (FPSS) in 2011, and Excellence Service Distinction Award by the Photographic Society of Singapore (ESPSS) in 2023.

Beyond capturing images for competitions, are the valuable lessons that Liew has drawn from them. “I started taking part in photography competitions as a challenge to myself, to benchmark my photography skills against others, and to improve as a photographer,” Liew says. His passion and dedication drive him to capture moments whenever he finds free time.

Liew enjoys travelling and capturing images of different places, people, and wildlife so that he can share with others what he sees through his lens. As a Nikon School instructor, Liew is enthusiastic about imparting the photography skills that he has acquired through the years.

Liew loves action photography and the challenges it entails. He specialises in capturing the peak of the moment and creating movements using slow shutter speeds – a technique he has honed over the years. He creates photographs that are artistic and impactful.

In this exhibition, Liew will showcase a series of 20 photographs under the theme of “Action Photography”, crossing three genres – Festivals, Sports, and Birds. In “Festivals”, he employs mainly slow shutter speeds to create a sense of movement in a still photograph. For “Sports” and “Birds”, Liew captures the peak of the moment using high shutter speeds.

SELECTIVE AWARDS

2003                       First Prize, Singapore Buskers’ Festival 2003 Best Of Buskers’ Times Digital Photography Competition

2003                       First Prize, Christmas Magical Moments Photography Competition

2004                       First Prize, The Spirit Of Geylang Serai Photography Competition

2004                       First Prize, Digital Fun Month Online Photography Competition

2004                       First Prize, National Library Photography Contest

2004                       First Prize, Best Of Asian Aerospace Photography Contest

2004                       First Prize, Great Eastern 4th Photography Competition

2004                       First Prize, S.League Canon Digital Photography Competition

2004                       First Prize, Konica Minolta Lens Man Of The Year

2005                       First Prize, Nikon Focus Photography Contest

2005                       First Prize, Safra Photographic Club Annual Members’ Competition

2005                       First Prize, Total Defence – Caught In Action! Photography Competition

2005                       First Prize, Canon-Digital Life Photo Marathon

2005                       First Prize, Konica Minolta Family Having Fun Photography Competition

2006                       First Prize, Sentosa Flowers “Magic Moments” Digital Photography Competition

2007                       First Prize, Photovideoi Photographer of the Year

2008                       First Prize, Konota Photo Contest

2009                       First Prize, NUSPS Montage 2009 Photography Competition

2010                       First Prize, TPCC Racial Harmony @ Pinnacle Photography Competition

2010                       First Prize, The Newpaper “Favourite National Day Picture” Photography Competition

2010                       First Prize, Nikon-PSS Photo of the Year Photography Competition

2010                       First Prize, Nikon, “The Big Shot” Photography Competition

2011                       First Prize, Nikon-PSS Photo of the Year Photography Competition

2011                       First Prize, Asia Without Borders Photo Competition

2012                       First Prize, The Big Picture Photo Contest

2012                       First Prize, Nikon-PSS Photo of the Year Photography Competition

2012                       First Prize, 59th Singapore International Photography Award

2012                       First Prize, Zhen Ren Gong Temple Photography Competition

2012                       First Prize, 2012 International Loupe Awards

2013                       First Prize, The Big Picture Photo Contest

2013                       First Prize, Bedok Community Arts & Culture Club Photography Competition

2013                       First Prize, “Safety Starts With Me” Photography Competition

2013                       First Prize, Nikon-PSS Photo of the Year Photography Competition

2015                       First Prize, The Big Picture Photo Contest

2015                       First Prize, Scott Kelby “Worldwide Photowalk” Photography Competition

2015                       First Prize, α Perspectives I Capture the Moment Photography Competition

2017                       First Prize, Safra Photographic Club Annual Members’ Competition

2019                       First Prize, Safra Photographic Club Annual Members’ Competition

2020                       First Prize, Asian Geographic “Images of Asia” Monthly Photography Competition

SELECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC TITLES

2008 APSS            Associateship by The Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS)

2008 ARPS            Associateship by The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (RPS)

2011 FPSS            Fellowship by The Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS)

2021 SPSS            Service Distinction Award by The Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS)

2023 EPSS            Excellence Service Distinction Award by The Photographic Society of Singapore (PSS)

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1992 – 2023           Exhibition by various photography competition organisers

2012 – 2022           Invited artist for Ngee Ann Photographic Exhibition by Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore

2023                       Ngee Ann Photographer of the Year Exhibition by Ngee Ann Cultural Centre, Singapore

SOCIAL MEDIA

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