Financial consultant wins SAFRA photography contest for third time

SINGAPORE - Amateur photographer Koh Meng Hua thinks nothing of getting up at 5am to get a perfect shot.

The financial consultant, 54, was willing to leave home before the break of dawn to catch the sunrise washing the pale walls of HDB blocks in Toa Payoh Central, or an early morning ceremony at Sri Mariamman Temple.

His efforts paid off when he was crowned champion of the SG50 edition of the Safra Photographer of the Year competition.

This is Mr Koh's third time winning the contest, but he insisted the award still came as a surprise.

"I must continue to push myself, to keep my ideas and perspective fresh and exceed myself," he said.

The competition for NSmen by the Safra Photographic Club attracted a record 80 photographers, twice the number from last time.

Participants were asked to send in photos under themes related to Singapore's jubilee, such as Heritage, Home, and "Makan".

The winning photographs were unveiled on Friday evening at Safra Toa Payoh by guest-of-honour Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Minister of State for Defence and National Development.

The photos will be on display for members of the public until March 29.

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