A raucous reunion

tnp@sph.com.sg

For the last 20 years, Mr Chan Wai Meng and his polytechnic classmates have got together during the Chinese New Year holidays.

This year was no exception.

On the third day of the new year, the 1992 graduates from Ngee Ann Polytechnic met at their class representative's home. Some even brought along their children.

While taking photos during the meet up, Mr Chan was struck by the adults and children doing the "loh hei" (the ritual tossing of the raw fish salad) together. The 42-year-old engineer shot the scene from a low angle so as to include the children in the picture.

"I just wanted to capture photographs so that each year we have an update," he said. "To me, it's a personal record of what I've been through with my friends."

Mr Chan sent this photo in for last week's Big Picture contest theme "Cheers!", which looked at how Singaporeans celebrate the New Year and how they ushered in the Year of the Horse.

STANDOUT WINNER

It was picked as the winner by all three of last week's Big Picture judges, and won Mr Chan the $500 prize.

The year-long contest is organised by The New Paper and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth to encourage Singaporeans to document everyday life in the city.

This photo stood out for judge Sam Chin because it offered a unique perspective.

"By going close to the yu sheng (raw fish salad), the photographer made it look larger than life, compressing it with the people in the background," he said. "The tossing of the yu sheng also adds life to the photo."

Judge Wesley Loh praised Mr Chan for a photo that fit well with last week's contest theme. He added: "Great composition and unusual point of view."

This week's third judge, Mr Francis Lee, was deciding between this photo and another loh hei image shot by Mr Tan Jian Kai of his extended family. The judge said both photos shared the elements of joy and fun together, but he eventually went with the photo by Mr Chan.

"It has a better feel in terms of impact as it has the right in-your-face kind of atmosphere," he said.

THE JUDGES

Francis Lee, 50, spent 17 years as a photographer and a photography instructor. He pursues excellence, whether it is shooting for assignments or conducting courses.

Sam Chin, 27, is a corporate and editorial photographer who works on documentary projects in his personal time. He seeks to reflect societal and environmental issues through his pictures. He graduated from Nanyang Technological University's School of Art, Design & Media, where he got his bachelor of fine arts in photography and digital imaging.

Wesley Loh's encounter with the world of photography at the age of 18 spelt the start of a journey of self-discovery, beauty and truth. The 42-year-old award-winning photographer and storyteller has established a unique style and approach.

WHAT'S NEXT

This fortnight's contest theme is "Heart". With Valentine's Day coming up, show us how love and romance in Singapore looks like and stand to win $500. Each week's photos must come in by Thursday, 11.59pm.

Visit tnp.sg/thebigpicture for full terms and conditions. Join our Facebook page, facebook.com/TheBigPictureContest, to find out the latest contest details and to see the photos of each week's finalists and winners.

Tonight, come by the National Museum of Singapore for the launch of "Made in Singapore". This photo book shot by The Big Picture's chief judge Tay Kay Chin is the fifth book of Twentyfifteen.sg, an initiative by photography group Platform to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday next year.