SINGAPORE : A nationwide search for the next winner of the Singapore Young Photographer Award is now on.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) undergraduate Ng Yong Yi was serving his national service when he was crowned the overall winner at the inaugural Singapore Young Photographer Award last year.

He has not quite decided if he wants to go for a second shot at the national competition - but winning the Award has spurred him to choose art design and media studies at NTU instead of a science degree.

The 21-year-old is also a freelance photographer, so that he can hone his skills on the job.

He said, "I'd like to travel around and maybe show people the lives of different people through my photos and maybe set up my own exhibition to let more people enjoy."

Meanwhile, enjoying the fruits of his labour is 26-year-old full-time photographer Jonathan Yeap.

His photographs won him the Consolation Prize at last year's competition, and earned him the prestigious chance to represent Singapore later this month at the inaugural ASEAN Young Photographers' Award - organised by Singapore's National Youth Achievement Award Council.

He said, "I think this Award has created an important platform for us from Asia, from ASEAN countries, to come together to promote peace and culture through photography. I'm looking forward to works from other photographers to see what's the difference through their pictures, and I hope to share with them the pieces of Singapore through the photos on exhibit.

"The pictures will be showing the past of Singapore, and at the same time, some of my pictures will be expressing hope in the ASEAN countries."

What is unusual about the Singapore Young Photographer Award is its qualifying age of 13 to 25.

The Award's steering Committee said this is a concerted effort to unearth and nurture young photographers in Singapore.

The winner not only gets a cash prize of S$5,000, he will also get a mentorship programme with a veteran photographer.

Participants must submit six photographs - covering at least four of the eight themes of Abstract, Architecture / Buildings, Children at Play, People at Work, Portrait(s), Nature, Still Life and Night Scene.

All photographs must be submitted by 30 April 2008.

More details are available at this website. - CNA/ms