Ngee Ann Photographer of the Year 2017- Raymond Chua Seng Chye

 

Raymond Chua Seng Chye

Ngee Ann Photographer of the Year 2017

Hon. FSCPS, Hon.FSAFRAPC, Hon. FPSM, Hon. FPSP, Hon. FSCC, Hon.FPSJ, Hon.FPSBP, Hon.FOCPSG, Hon.OPBSC, EDFIAP, EFIAP, FSCPC, FPSNY, ACPA, APSP, ASEAPS, ASAFRAPC, APST, MEPSP, APAS, JPCPBSC, Hon.EPSNY, Hon.EHKCC, ADCC, Hon.EPAS, Hon.EUAPA, PPSA, PSA 5 Star (PPD)

Mr Chua Seng Chye, a native Hokkien, was born in Singapore in 1952. During his secondary school days, Chua fell in love with photography.

In 1980s, Chua began to take on photo assignments and became a part-time photographer. He was appointed by the National Theatre Trust as an Official Photographer and took photos of the performances in the Theatre. Subsequently, he was appointed Media Photographer for The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC MEDIA). During this period, Chua also participated a number of local and international photographic competitions.

In 1985, he was conferred Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS).

In 1993, he received the title 5 Star Colour Print Exhibitor from the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and Excellence Exhibitor of Federation Internationale De LÁrt Photographique (EFIAP).  Despite winning numerous awards and recognitions from various competitions, Chua did not rest on his laurels, he continued to hone his skills.

In 1987, at the age of 35, he held his first solo exhibition, titled “Dance Impression”, which showcased works from his previous theatre assignments.

Chua has always dedicated his time to volunteer with different local photographic bodies since his early days in photography. He was appointed Chairman of the SAFRA Photographic Club for two consecutive terms in 1991/92 and 1992/93. Currently, he is the technique advisor of the Singapore Colour Photographic Society(SCPS), which he has been a member since 1978.  

In 2000, after more than two decades working in the logistic chemical industries, he quit his full-time job to be a full-time photographer, in order to devote more time to teaching photography and travelling around the world.

Chua has a strong passion for natural photography. He always travels around the world and explores remote countryside across different continents to capture some of the most breathtaking sceneries in the world. His love for the nature is also evident from his rich photo collections depicting flora, insects, birds and other natural themes.

Chua is very passionate about teaching and sharing his knowledge in photography. Currently, he serves as a photographic technique advisor at the SAFRA Photographic Club, Kampong Glam CC Photo Club, MacPherson CC Photographic Club and the Photographic Society of Johore(PSJ) in Malaysia. Chua also holds regular photography talks or workshops in many local photography bodies as well as presiding over various local and international photographic competitions.

Despite almost 40 years in photographic scene, Chua is even more passionate about the art of photography as he continues to explore new objects or new themes. To quote his own words: “Photography is an art that requires lots of perseverance and focus. It will take time to learn and practice in order to get the right shots”.

Solo Exhibition

1987  “Dance Impression” Solo Exhibition, jointly organised by Ministry of Community Development and National Theatre Trust, Singapore.

1990  Solo Exhibition in Guiyang, Guizhou, China, organised by Guizhou Overseas Chinese Photography Association.

 Group Exhibition

1989  “Focus on India” Group Photography Exhibition, organised by Safra Photographic Club, Singapore.

Selective Awards

1985  10th Photo Contest In Asia: “The Hattori Seiko Prize”,

The Asian Cultural Centre for Unesco (ACCU), Tokyo, Japan.

1993 Meritorious Performance Award: Gold, SAFRA Singapore.

2011, 2016  Shanghai China International “Lang Chin-san’s Photography Art Award” Charity Photo Contest : Gold Statues Award,  Shanghai Overseas Chinese Photography Association, Shanghai, China.

2016  Chinese Art Golden Horse Award (Photography), China Foundation for Chinese Art Development

SELECTIVE HONOURS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC TITLES

1984 HON. FSCPS:  Honorary Fellowship of Singapore Colour Photographic Society                     

1985 ARPS :  Associate of the Royal Photographic Society

1986 FSCPS: Fellowship of Singapore Colour Photographic Society

1986 ESFIAP: Excellence Services Rendered of Federation Internationale De L’art Photographique

1991 MEPSP: Master Exhibitor of The Photographic Society of Penang

1993 PSA 5 STAR (PPD) :  5 Star Color Print Exhibitor of Photographic Society of America (PSA)

1993EFIAP: Excellence Federation Internationale De L’art Photographique

1994 HON. FPSJ:  Honorary Fellowship of The Photographic Society of Johore

2006 HON. FPSBP: Honorary Fellowship of Photo-Arts-Society Batu Pahat