51风流

TAR UMT Lecturer and Student Win Big at 7th Stellar Prize

Sean Yee (left) and Mr Tan (right), with their plaques and certificates

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Sean Yee’s winning piece, Eyes of Wonder.

It was a proud moment for TAR UMT when both a student and his lecturer emerged as winners at the prestigious 7th Stellar Prize competition. Sean Yee Ghee Heng, a Bachelor of Creative Multimedia (Hons) student, clinched the Best Portrait Photography Award, while his lecturer and advisor, Mr Tan Tay Guan, was honoured with the Best Advisor for Photography Award.

This national level competition is open to all university students across Malaysia and this year, the competition attracted over 400 submissions from 14 universities. With the theme?“PRISM”, the competition featured four main categories: Writing & Publishing, Design, Photography, and Videography,?with a total of 16 awards.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind his award-winning portrait, Sean shared that it was sparked by a university trip to an Orang Asli village, organised by the Photography Society and guided by renowned Fujifilm photographer Lim Kim Boon. “As we explored the village, I noticed many curious yet shy gazes from the locals, especially the children. One little girl, in particular, stood out from the rest as her wide-eyed curiosity towards our presence was striking. I captured her portrait after obtaining consent from her family, framing her between the gaps of a wooden fence. Through this photograph, I aimed to portray the innocence and curiosity of childhood when faced with something unfamiliar, while also respecting her personal space and natural expression.

Crediting his lecturer, Mr Tan for encouraging him to participate in the competition, Sean added, “I submitted two photographs under the Photography category with written synopsis to express the story and meaning behind them. Initially, I found it challenging to craft a compelling narrative that would truly enhance the impact of my visuals. I sought advice from Mr Tan. With his unique artistic eye and thoughtful feedback, he helped me discover deeper layers within my work that I hadn’t noticed before. His guidance not only improved my synopsis but also gave me a newfound appreciation for my own creative process,” he said.

Sean used to work as a photographer before joining TAR UMT, where photography was merely a job to him. However, after becoming a member of the Photography Society at TAR UMT, he began to develop a genuine interest in photography as a hobby. "Being part of the Photography Society at TAR UMT has truly enriched my university experience beyond the classroom. Over the years, I have actively participated in workshops and photo trips organised by the society, which have allowed me to explore various photography techniques and broaden my creative outlook. One of the most memorable experiences was serving as a committee member for Picturesque 3.0, a photography competition exclusively for TAR UMT students, in collaboration with Fujifilm. Working behind the scenes, I gained valuable insights into event planning, stakeholder engagement, and team coordination. Most importantly, I built a network with a vibrant community of photography enthusiasts who continuously inspire me to push my boundaries and experiment with new styles. It has been a platform not only for skill enhancement but also for building lasting friendships and learning through shared passion,” he continued.

Mr Tan Tay Guan, who received the Best Advisor for Photography Award, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition. “I’m deeply honoured to receive this recognition and I dedicate this award to every student whose passion and creativity continue to inspire me every day,” he said.