Learn from Canon Malaysia’s handpicked photographers & videographers — the EOS Masters of 2024

The Lunar New Year is coming up and we all have at least one relative that tries to play photographer. Either they’re decent at it or take pics just like your Ah Ma. Now, what if they were to go to a professional photography workshop hosted by photographers handpicked by Canon Malaysia?

Canon Marketing Malaysia has officially announced the 2024 EOS Masters Initiative’s lineup of photographers and videographers at a signing ceremony, held at the appropriately photogenic Astana in Bamboo Hills. These 17 seasoned professionals will play a big part in cultivating the local photography and videography scene.

This year, Canon’s EOS Masters Initiative will have these 17 Masters hosting a variety of activities, workshops, seminars and exhibitions throughout Malaysia. They’ll be sharing techniques, challenges and anecdotes they’ve collected throughout their years so you won’t have to go through all the pain they did. So keep tabs on what they’re doing if you want that relative to actually have the skills to back up their talk.

This is all in part of Canon’s continuous effort to create a platform for interactive engagement between aspiring creatives and big leagues professionals. This initiative aims to foster a sense of community and innovation amongst Malaysian photographers and videographers.

Masato Yoshiie, president and CEO of Canon Malaysia is proud to have these Masters rep Canon and guide the local creative scene, as well as inspire a new wave of passion for Malaysian videographers and photographers in the name of creative empowerment.

“Canon’s initiatives are guided by the Kyosei philosophy, which conveys our dedication to seeing all people living and working together for the common good and the betterment of humanity,” Masato Yoshiie.

You’re probably wondering what EOS stands for, and that’s where the second part of the initiative comes in! EOS stands for Electrical Optical System. It’s part of the initiative because of its aims to highlight the extensive range of EOS R System camera and lens products. Not only will the Masters be mentors to budding creatives, but they will also be brand advocates for these right-hand-tools.

Here are the 17 camera sifus:

• Andrew Koh Chee Hong — A fun wedding photographer who excels at capturing candid expressions and emotions in natural settings.
• Barathan Amuthan — A concert and wedding photographer, but he remains a versatile photographer with over a decade of experience in the industry.
• Baronia Abas — The founder and Digital Content & Course Director of WolFang Digital who specialises in underwater videography and photography.
• Bonnie Yap Leng Foong — Named as one of Marie Claire’s Amazing Women of 2019, she is a versatile photographer who has worked on subjects like food, interior, travel, fashion and more.
• Tan Chong Jing — An IT engineer turned videographer based in Penang, he’s done work in weddings, fashion shows, event highlights, corporate videos and more.
• Edwin Lay Say Kiong — A dynamic and versatile Sarawakian who has done photography and videography ranging from weddings to extreme sports.
• Fazry Ismail — A photojournalist and Chief Photographer for the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) in Malaysia, he has covered events like the Olympics and the Hong Kong protests.
• Fuad Stephan — A photographer and videographer based in Kedah with an interest in portraits, human interest, journalism and landscapes, he aims to capture the essence of his subjects.
• Chia Joe Gee — With 12 years in the field, his portfolio boasts collaborations with renowned brands like BMW, MINI, Motorrad, Harley-Davidson, and Ducati.
• Johnson Wee — Asia’s most awarded wedding photographer and Profoto’s ambassador for Malaysia.
• Fong Kin Leong — A passionate bird photographer committed to sharing the beauty of Malaysia’s avian life and who is eager to explore bird photography abroad.
• Liew Weng Keong — An experienced nature photographer who spends an average of 250 days each year in the forest.
• Safuan Salahudin —A decorated photographer who has served as the official sports photographer for the Malaysian Football League, he is dedicated to sharing his knowledge through various workshops.
• Nazri Bakar — A wedding photographer with a specialty in capturing unforgettable moments, he is dedicated to producing beautiful, timeless images.
• Palie Massa — A talented photographer who is inspired by the depiction of people working in their daily lives, he believes that every life episode has a story worth documenting.
• Danny Yen Sin Wong — Specialising in travel, wildlife and human interest photography, his portfolio captures the essence of global adventure.
• Ipah Uid Lynn — A diving instructor and mother of 6 who captures vibrant underwater scenes, she has a mission in advocating for marine life conservation.

Everyone is welcome to these workshops! They’re for beginners, students and pros, so it’s never too late for you to join. Besides offering individuals opportunities to upskill or reskill, this initiative also aims to ensure participants have a renewed passion for their craft. All knowledge learnt isn’t worth anything if it isn’t continuously sustained.