Club Med Bali Discovery Photography Contest

15 June 2009


25th May 2009, 1:02pm....a time that I will remember for the rest of my life when I received that one call from Eyeka informing me that I will be spending my next 6 days in Bali with 9 other photographers around the globe for the Club Med Bali Challenge.

A truly unexpected invitation. Really, me? Really?...Really? I guess words couldn't describe how happy I was to be one of the selected 10 photographers.
It was a very memorable 6 days in ClubMed. The challenge, the interviews, the free flow of food and drinks to complement the really beautiful ClubMed, the people, the outings and most of all the participants and the organisers for making this trip truly unforgettable. We had to juggle so many things for our stay there like this performer who performed for the ClubMed guests during one of the show nights.


It was supposed to be a challenge to find the best of the best among the 10 of us, but the moment the challenge was handed out each day, you could feel the wonderful sense of camaraderie and genuine friendship which allows each of us to discuss our challenge to bring out the best in each of us. Is  this a competition after all? I guess this is what makes it truly memorable in the company of other photographers who is willing to share in a competitive  environment which is scarce in todays' environment.

Kudos to John(Australian), Felix(Swiss), Min (Korea), Angela (Phillipines), Evangeline (China), CK (Malaysia), Fumie (Japan) and last but not least, my 'crazy' roomate Gary (Indonesia). You guys/gals rock!!!! These guys rock our night too on our first night together in Bali...heheheheh

 
We had 3 challenges in all. One was an open theme where we were allowed to shoot anything under the sun outside the resort. The other 2 challenges had to be done within the resort. So, what was my photo challenge, you might ask? Well, I had to shoot the *%^$&#^%  and &*^$%$^&......(beeeepppp .....you think I would tell you huh .. :) Lets not spoil the fun just yet. Be patient, ClubMed will unveil the official photo shoot in due course)

The biggest test in the challenge was not to feature any guest faces and yet bring out the beauty of Club Med Bali. Think, think, think, Suhaimi!! Think out of the box. So am I allowed to use the Barbie doll instead? lol


It has been a week after the ClubMed challenge and I am already missing the great company I had in ClubMed Bali. Thank you Eyeka, ClubMed and the rest of the gangs for making it a memorable trip for me. Do keep your eyes glued to Eyeka for the official release of the Club Med Bali Challenge !!! Ooops….I forgot to mention the bonus shots too…..stay tuned!!

26 August 2009

3 months on and the 9 contestants works were put up for viewing by ClubMed and also for voting for the people choice award. Hold on, the microsite is nowhere to be found now at Club Med Bali.

But wait, where are my bonus shots submission? It was never put up on the microsite, sigh. Not sure why it wasn't showcased. Oh well....

Nonetheless, I shall put it up here for viewing. I seriously think, that my bonus shots are way better than my 3 assignment theme. Happy viewing!!







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  



 

 

 

 

 

 

8 October 2009

The day the news started to trickle in. CK from Malaysia grabbed the BIG prize, a 10,000 USD contract to shoot for Club Med and the People's Choice award went to Evangeline from China. I had to concede defeat, sob sob. Nonetheless, I had given my best and pulled up all the tricks I had for this competition, so I have no regrets. I have given my best, but as with all things, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That is part and parcel of life.
I am always never lucky when it comes to voting, perhaps I only have few friends...lol.