Veteran Singapore photographer Bey Hua Heng died in his sleep on Tuesday morning. He was in his early 50s.

A winner of the National Arts Council Young Artist Award in 1993, he was on a 10-day trip to Nepal with a group of photographers when he died. It is not known where and how he died exactly, although he was having some difficulty in breathing during the trip, said Shin Min Daily News.

He had visited Nepal at least seven times.

He had an illustrious career, having clinched 17 international photography titles and won trophies in more than 200 photography competitions here and overseas.

The avid photographer was said to have snapped at least 80,000 pictures a year and would upgrade his camera regularly.

An active grassroots participant at the Boon Lay Community Centre, he was an adviser to its photography club.

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.