The fourth edition of the CapitaLand-National Geographic Channel “Building People” Photography Competition injects life into buildings with new duo-themed contest
Grand prize winner to go on an exclusive assignment under the mentorship of award-winning National Geographic photographer Mr Michael Yamashita
Singapore, 17 April 2013 – CapitaLand Limited (CapitaLand) will partner the National Geographic Channel for the fourth consecutive year for the regional CapitaLand-National Geographic Channel “Building People” Photography Competition (Competition).
For the first time, the Competition introduces a duo-theme feature – “Best Building Moment” and “Best People Moment”. The “Best Building Moment” theme calls for creative interpretations of CapitaLand’s properties, which effectively capture the best characteristics of its homes, offices, shopping malls, serviced residences and mixed developments while the theme “Best People Moment” further challenges participants to capture memorable moments of human connections or experiences within any of CapitaLand’s properties such as daily interactions, romantic escapism, joyful celebrations and intimate embraces.
With Asia’s rising economy and rapid urbanisation, industry leaders have observed that people spend an increasing amount of time in buildings – to work, shop and play. Such urban-living habits have prompted CapitaLand and the National Geographic Channel to challenge photographers not only to capture photographs which embody the symbiotic interactions between people and CapitaLand’s properties, but also to personify the buildings in their work of art such that the buildings metaphorically come to life.
The highly-acclaimed Competition has seen increasing popularity and expanded outreach as it welcomed a first-time entry from India last year. Last year, there was a 70% surge in entries from 2011, with an overwhelming 2,000 submissions from Asia Pacific countries including Australia, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
A judging panel, comprising National Geographic photographer Mr Michael Yamashita and executives from the National Geographic Channel and CapitaLand, will evaluate all entries based on novelty, artistic direction, depth of judgement and the creative interpretation of the themes, “Best Building Moment” and “Best People Moment”. The judges will also be looking out for innovative portrayals of the synergetic interactions between CapitaLand buildings and People.
Mr Tan Seng Chai, Group Chief Corporate Officer, CapitaLand Limited, said: “We are heartened to see the growing popularity of this photographic Competition, as we witness year-on-year increases in submissions from enthusiasts across the region. Capturing CapitaLand properties through the lenses of photographic talents has given fresh perspectives to our buildings. Our unwavering dedication to ‘Building People’ at CapitaLand has urged us to continually provide quality living for people, and we hope that the submissions this year can illustrate our efforts to bring life to our buildings.”
National Geographic Channel, photography judge and photographer, Mr Michael Yamashita, added: “Having spent seven years in Asia, I have come to appreciate the region for its rich cultures and diverse talents. With this competition, I look forward to interacting with like-minded photography enthusiasts from the region, and viewing their stories of Asia through their submitted photographs.”
Mr Simeon Dawes, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales and Partnerships at FOX One Stop Media, said: “National Geographic Channel aims to inspire people to care about the world we live in, and this competition is a great platform to encourage the continuous discovery of our living environment. We are delighted with the success of the competition so far and look forward to another fruitful partnership with CapitaLand to uncover even more talent across Asia.”
Another highlight of this year’s Competition is an opportunity for the overall winner to participate in an exclusive overseas National Geographic assignment under the mentorship of renowned National Geographic photographer, Mr Michael Yamashita (please refer to Annex A for Mr Michael Yamashita’s biography). Other prizes that winners stand to win include an opportunity to join Mr Michael Yamashita on a photography trail in Singapore, SGD5,000 worth of CapitaVouchers, more than SGD9,000 worth of Sony cameras & lenses and complimentary stay at Ascott serviced residences in Asia Pacific. The sponsors of the prizes are CapitaMalls Asia Limited, Sony Electronics (Singapore) Pte Ltd and The Ascott Limited.
To encourage talents and increase recognition of budding photographers, members of the public can also participate and support their favourite photo entry. The Voters’ Choice Award will be accorded to the participant with the highest-voted photograph. Aside from CapitaVouchers and complimentary stay at Ascott serviced residences in Asia Pacific as prizes, the Voters’ Choice Winner will also have the opportunity to join other winners to participate in a photography trail with Mr Michael Yamashita in Singapore. The four winners will also stand to qualify for a special “Best CapitaMall Photo” prize, should his/her photograph best capture shopper engagement within CapitaMalls (please refer to Annex B for the detailed prize list).
Participants of the Competition will enjoy an exclusive invitation to attend the CapitaLand-National Geographic Channel “Building People” Photography Seminar conducted by Mr Michael Yamashita to be held in August this year. With 30 years of experience behind him, he will share his wealth of knowledge in photography. In addition, there will also be an opportunity for participants to showcase their photographic creativity in an upcoming CapitaLand-National Geographic Channel “Building People” Photography Exhibition in August 2013.
The Competition is open to the public from 16 April to 9 June 2013 (please refer to Annex B for the Competition details). Participants simply need to submit an original photograph with a caption to the Competition website (www.capitaland.com/ngcphoto)
For more information, please visit www.capitaland.com/ngcphoto.
ANNEX B
CAPITALAND-NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL “BUILDING PEOPLE” PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2013 DETAILS
Important dates:
Submission period:
- 16 April - 9 June 2013 (both dates inclusive, dates are subject to change)
Public Voting period:
- July 2013 (final dates to be confirmed closer to date)
Exclusive CapitaLand-NGC Photography Seminar by Michael Yamashita:
- 16 August 2013 (final date to be confirmed closer to date)
Exclusive Photo Trail with Michael Yamashita in Singapore (for winners only):
- 17 August 2013 (final date to be confirmed closer to date)
Prizes:
1st Prize Winner
- A 3D2N trip to a city in China* for an overseas National Geographic assignment under the mentorship of Mike Yamashita
- CapitaVouchers worth SGD2,000 o Two consecutive nights’ stay in an Ascott serviced residence in Asia Pacific* o Sony α99 camera and Carl Zeiss 24-70mm F2.8 lens worth SGD6,998
2nd Prize Winner
- CapitaVouchers worth SGD1,200
- Two consecutive nights’ stay in an Ascott serviced residence in Asia Pacific*
- Sony NEX-6 camera worth SGD1,699
3rd Prize Winner
- CapitaVouchers worth SGD800
- Two consecutive nights’ stay in an Ascott serviced residence in Asia Pacific*
- Sony α58 camera worth SGD749 Voters’ Choice Winner (Photo entry with the most number of public votes will emerge as Voters’ Choice Winner)
- CapitaVouchers worth SGD500
- Two consecutive nights’ stay in an Ascott serviced residence in Asia Pacific* Best CapitaMall Photo Special Prize (Chosen from the Top 3 winning photos and Voters’ Choice Winner)
- Photo entry that captures the best of shoppers engaging in activities within CapitaMalls will stand a chance to vie for the “Best CapitaMall Photo” special prize o CapitaVouchers worth SGD500