Throughout July and August this year, Macau CLOSER organized the “Macau 2020 – A Time for Introspection” photography competition, attracting nearly 100 fantastic entries.
The unusual situation in 2020 has presented some unique opportunities for local photographers to get creative and to capture some very beautiful, and sometimes unfamiliar views of the city – especially given that many of them had a lot more free time, and the city can appear very different without the usual thousands of tourists wandering the streets!
The competition invited Macau-based photographers to submit some of their best photos taken since the beginning of the year, to be considered by a jury of experts and to be in the running to win great cash prizes.
Entrants were asked to present an image that symbolized or reflected the recent times in the city, as they viewed them. The competition was open to both professional and amateur photographers.
The competition jury selected winning photographs in both Individual and Series categories, and there were also winners in our online ‘People’s Choice’ voting.
The first prize winner in each of the above two categories wins a cash prize of MOP8,000. The runners-up in each category win a cash prize of MOP3,000.
The winner of the online voting wins a cash prize of MOP5,000; the runner-up, win MOP2,000; and the third place wins MOP1,000.
Roy Choi was the Juror’s Choice Individual Photo Winner with his photo entitled ‘Pandemic Close’.
“My winning photo is one of the scenes I captured while wandering on the streets. It was raining that day and I was taking a bus. Then I saw this mother and daughter sitting inside a car. Their emotions attracted me to press the shutter. The mother seemed to be worrying about the pandemic, but the little girl looked so innocent and happy. This image touched me very much,” explains Roy, who works in online media.
Meanwhile, Jay Yeung Ho Sum was the winner of the People’s Choice Individual Photo.
“My winning photo was taken in San Mei On building. Because of Covid-19, people were staying at home and some were chilling by their doorsteps. It reminded me of how many people were forced out of work and it touched me a lot. Suddenly, a man came out for some cool breeze and the distinct lightings of cold and warm were amazing. So I pressed the shutter immediately,” Jay comments.
The prizes will be presented at a special awards ceremony on October 2 as part of this year’s The Script Road – Macau Literary Festival. And an exhibition of all the finalists’ photographs will be launched at the same time, on display at the Portuguese Bookshop.
First Prize – Juror’s Choice Individual Photo winner
Roy Choi
– Pandemic Close
On a rainy day during the pandemic, a mother in a car
is holding her daughter close and staring outside
Second Prize – Juror’s Choice Individual Photo Runner-Up
Keiko Chan Weng Kei
– No matter how unusual, everything remains the same
Resuming the forgotten usual life during this unusual time
First Prize – Juror’s Choice Photo series Winner (Tied)
Second Prize – People’s Choice Photo series Runner-up
Gonçalo Lobo Pinheiro
– Covid-19. Nursing home life goes far beyond the pandemic
They are one of the most vulnerable groups in the COVID-19 pandemic that is plaguing the world. In Macau, the nursing home of Santa Casa da Misericórdia opened its doors to me, where I witnessed that caregivers are, more than ever, steadfast in supporting the elderly, many of them with various disabilities.
First Prize – Juror’s Choice Photo series Winner (tied)
Splendidsaber
– Fog Over the City
The changing fog over Macau
First Prize – People’s Choice Individual Photo Winner
Yeung Ho Sum
– Life Under the Pandemic
The pandemic has caused a major decrease to corporate income. Employees have been forced to take days off and deduction in salaries in order to save their jobs. It challenges their finances. The pressure on them is unbearable.
Second Prize – People’s Choice Individual Photo Runner-Up
Antonio Leong
– Hello Macau
Before the pandemic, many locals avoided going to this iconic landmark of Macau as it was packed with thousands of visitors every day. I remember when I was a kid, we lived near the Ruins of St. Paul's. It was our small playground where we could run and play around, people would take a walk with their dogs and locals would come to enjoy their evenings.
Third Prize – People’s Choice Individual photo Second Runner-Up
Wayan Karel Cahaya Putra
– Holy Happiness
Happiness isn't out there, it's inside you
First Prize – People’s Choice Photo series Winner
Terry Iao Chi Hou
– Silent Corner
Macau seems to have returned to its olden days, changing back to a peaceful little village from a prosperous city.
Second Prize – People’s Choice Photo series Winner Runner-up
Goncalo Lobo Pinheiro
– Covid-19. Nursing home life goes far beyond the pandemic
Third Prize – People’s Choice Photo series second Runner-Up
Jorge Bryan T. Marquez
– Dark Days
What I love about black and white photography is that it not only captures the event, but it also captures the mood and the soul of the particular thing or people. At this time, it really suits the concept of the streets in Macau being empty of tourists due to the impact of the pandemic and it also affects the jobs and livelihood of the people.
Congratulations to all our winners, and thanks to all the entrants for their great photos. Thanks also to everyone who voted for their favourite images in our online competition!
