Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 is here, taking place across different countries in Asia on different dates! Kicking off Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 is Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, taking place on 9th September 2017, starting at 0700 hour at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I am also participating in Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 in Singapore, this fun photography competition means more than just a photography competition, it’s a time to have fun as well, make new friends, networking, catch up with fellow photographer friends, view very interesting photography submissions from very different views and perspectives!
Personally, I have participated in Canon PhotoMarathon 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2008! This year 2017 would be my 7th year participating in Canon PhotoMarathon Singapore! Check out the links whereby I shared my stories, photographs and experiences on the photography themes during the Canon PhotoMarathon Singapore contests!
Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 is a special year as Canon celebrates 80 years of dedication to imaging solutions and competition intensity is simultaneously building up across the 16 Asian cities.
Let me share with you information and some interesting fun facts on Canon PhotoMarathon from the press release information:
The region’s largest, annual photo competition brings the community of photography enthusiasts closer together while challenging them to push their boundaries and showcase their city through their own perspectives, all under time pressure. This year, the event expands to China mainland. In total, more than 22,000 photo enthusiasts from different communities are expected to showcase their photo masterpieces.
“Canon has been championing “overall wellness” for many years, advocating a healthy lifestyle and a positive attitude towards life, and this project is a perfect interpretation of this philosophy. The Canon PhotoMarathon is a perfect combination of photography and sports. Participants will not only enjoy shooting, but also improve their health and help people to communicate more smoothly. For more than a decade, Canon PhotoMarathon has been gaining popularity in Asia, and it continues to attract more and more participants. This year also marks the Canon Group’s 80th anniversary. As we launch this activity in 16 Asian cities, we hope to create happiness and delight to everyone,” said Howard Ozawa, President of Canon Asia Marketing Group.
The 2016 Best of Show winners won an all-expense paid photo clinic trip to scenic spots in Japan
Apart from attractive category prizes, all the Best of Show winners from each competition will win an exclusive spot in the Canon PhotoMarathon Asia Championship held in 2018, which is valued at more than US$5,000. The Canon PhotoMarathon Asia Championship will see these winners from across Asia converge on an all-expenses paid trip (destination to be advised next year) that promises awe-inspiring scenery for any photography buff. Apart from the chance to explore various facets of photography under the tutelage of a professional photographer, the event will also involve further theme challenges which be a test of mettle to select the champion among winners.
The Endurance Race requiring more than Shutter Speed
Beyond a showcase of creativity, Canon PhotoMarathon heightens the excitement element through time pressure and endurance. Participants have to demonstrate a unique perspective in picture composition according to assigned themes within a short span of time. In true competition style, crossing the finishing line entails composure to perform under time pressure and the tenacity to last a grueling full-day marathon.
15 years of Cultivating Photography Culture
Canon believes that photography has the powerful ability to transcend differences to convey touching everyday narratives. Inspired to bring communities even closer together through the cultivation of photography culture, the very first Canon PhotoMarathon was conceptualised in 2003, and the inaugural competition was held in Singapore.
Since then, photography culture has proliferated. In 15 years, the event has grown in geographic reach to become ever more inclusive, bringing together varied photography communities all under one roof.
The annual event now includes parallel competitions around the region including Brunei, Cambodia, China Mainland, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Get set to go
After the first competition of 2017 kicks off in Kuala Lumpur, Canon PhotoMarathon will also take place in the following locations:
| Date | Location |
| 23 September | Singapore |
| 8 October | Hong Kong |
| 8 October | Danang, Vietnam |
| 21 October | Manila, Philippines |
| 21 October | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| 21 October | Taipei, Taiwan |
| 29 October | Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam |
| 4 November | Mumbai, India |
| 4 November | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| 5 November | Hanoi, Vietnam |
| 11 November | Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei |
| 12 November | Yogyakarta, Indonesia |
| 18 November | Delhi, India |
| 25 November | China Mainland (name of city to be advised) |
| 26 November | Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
To view the gallery of past winning images and for more information on Canon PhotoMarathon and the PhotoMarathon Asia Championship, please visit https://photomarathon.canon-asia.com/2017/regional/en
For the first timers participating in Canon PhotoMarathon
Fun facts about participants (data applicable up to 2016)
Canon PhotoMarathon attracts a wide audience from young students to the silver generation.
Most senior to date: 78 years old (from India)
Most junior to date: 4 years old (from Vietnam)
Average age of participants: 30 years old
Total number of competitions to date: 141 competitions all over Asia
Total number of participants to date: More than 155,000
Snapshot of Timeline across Asia
| Year | Country |
| 2003 | Singapore |
| 2006 | Vietnam |
| 2007 | Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand |
| 2009 | Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, India |
| 2011 | Cambodia |
| 2012 | Brunei |
| 2016 | Sri Lanka |
| 2017 | China |
How the contest works
The Canon PhotoMarathon is the largest photography event in the Asia region. A one-day photography competition that runs from 6 to 9 hours (duration varies by each local competition), perseverance and the ability to work under time pressure are essential requisites for completion of the Canon PhotoMarathon.
Participants are require to capture images according to various Competition Themes unveiled on competition day at specific times. Participants will have a few hours to submit their best interpretation of the assigned theme before the next theme is unveiled.
Canon applies a no-editing policy, which means that only in-camera processing is allowed for submitted entries to qualify for consideration.
How are photos judged?
For each theme, photos are judged by a panel of judges according to the relevance to theme and the creative interpretation to the theme.
The Best of Show (BOS) prize is awarded to the participant deemed by the judges to have performed the best across all Competition Themes. The Best of Show winner will also win a coveted spot and all-expenses paid trip to the Canon PhotoMarathon Asia Championship.
The Canon PhotoMarathon Asia Championship will take place in 2018. The destination will be advised at a later time.
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Canon PhotoMarathon is not just a photography competition, that you can win very exciting and wonderful prizes. It’s a great time to have fun as well, learn from viewing/observing other photographers works, make new friends, catch up with friends. Overall, it’s going to be a tiring experience (testing your endurance), putting your photography against time limits, stress and pressure. This would help you to grow and improve as a photographer, whether you are an amateur, enthusiast or professional.
If you haven’t sign up for Canon PhotoMarathon 2017, it’s time to do it!
* Information and pictures courtesy of Canon Singapore and Ogilvy Public Relations *