Getty names SG50 photo winners

SINGAPORE — Getty Images has announced the winners of its SG50 competition. More than 400 photographers entered the contest that encouraged local photographers to capture the real Singapore, in celebration of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence. In the end, Robbie Lawrence and Marcus Ng were awarded first and second place, respectively. Both photographers will join the Getty Images team as contributing photographers, as well as receive a GoPro Hero4.

Lawrence said he captured his winning shot, Boats In The Bay, during a visit to Singapore to observe the country’s vision and plans for a more liveable and sustainable nation. His photo features “these huge ocean tankers looking minuscule against the ocean in this dreamlike morning haze”. “The shimmering light made me think of a watercolour by the great landscape painter JMW Turner,” he said.

Ng, a student from Singapore, said he was “very pleased” with being recognised. “I do photography only in my spare time as a hobby. I love shooting various landscapes and cityscapes around Singapore from various vantage points.” His photo, Some Nights, shows four-storey flats set in contrast against newer housing in front of Singapore’s modern skyline.

The competition was judged by Masaaki Kobayashi, senior art director at Getty Images and Nicky Loh, a professional commercial photographer. The judging criteria focused on consistency with the theme, composition of a photograph, technical skills and authenticity.

Loh said: “While there are millions of pictures taken every day, we shouldn’t discount the fact that everything you photograph is a documentation of history. There is a huge pool of photographic talent in Singapore doing what they do best daily and I hope this continues with the help of Getty Images.”