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SINGAPORE, 16 September 2009 – A record-breaking 1,268 people from Singapore participated in the Canon PhotoMarathon Asia 2008, putting it in the Singapore Book of Records. For the first time this year, India and Indonesia will join Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore in the region’s largest photo competition – the Canon PhotoMarathon Asia 2009. To be held in October this year, the competition is expected to draw 6,000 participants and is open to all digital camera users, regardless of camera make or model. Two winners from each country will be selected for the grand prize of an expenses-paid Photo Clinic to Central Japan. In addition, with an extensive range of Canon prizes to be won, the competition this year looks set to be fiercer than ever.

10th October 2009: The Singaporean of the Canon PhotoMarathon Asia
A photo competition that tests photographic skill, creativity, endurance and the ability to perform under pressure, the Canon PhotoMarathon challenges participants to create photographs according to three assigned themes released through the day. With two distinct categories – Student and Open – photographers at all levels are welcome to join the Canon PhotoMarathon.

Originally conceived by Canon Singapore, the first Canon PhotoMarathon was held in 2003 and drew just over 200 participants. Having generated a loyal following over the years, this year’s competition looks set attract 1,400 registrants in Singapore alone.

“When we created the Canon PhotoMarathon in 2003, our vision was to promote a culture of photography in Singapore,” said Andrew Koh, Director and General Manager of the Consumer Imaging and Information Division, Canon Singapore. “Now in its 7th year, we are proud to say that Canon PhotoMarathon Asia has grown into one the region’s largest photo competitions. Through initiatives like the PhotoMarathon, photography seminars with renowned photographers such as Kris LeBoutillier and Paul-Henri Cahier, photography workshops and overseas photography trips, we are committed to supporting and inspiring photography communities throughout Asia.”

An exercise in creativity and interpretation
This year’s competition will be held on Saturday, 10th October, with the competition themes announced at 3-hour intervals through the day, starting at 9am. The Marathon is expected to last nine hours, with winners being announced at the end of the day.

For more information, go to www.canon-asia.com/photomarathon2009 (registrations for the competition will open this week).

Grand prize: A photo clinic to Central Japan
For two grand prize winners from each of the six participating countries, the PhotoMarathon will culminate in an expenses-paid 8-day Photo Clinic to Central Japan. Scheduled from 23rd November to 1st December, the twelve winners will be guided by professional photographer Triston Yeo, who is acknowledged by Asian Geographic as one of the Best Photographers of the Decade.

Feedback from participants of the past two photo clinics (Kyushu in Japan, and the South island of New Zealand) was that they found the Photo Clinic to be more valuable than other prizes they could have won. In addition to an intensive 8-day photographic expedition, they also built enduring friendships and exchanged photographic tips, tricks and best practices with photographers from the rest of Asia.