Shamshahrin Shamsudin
Graduated with a Diploma in Photography in 1994 with a major in Photojournalism and minor in Fine Arts.
Did an internship with the New Straits Times (NST) in 1993. Shortly after graduated from UiTM, Shah Alam, he joined the STAR as a staff photographer until 1999.
Offered to join a French newswire agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) as a second photographer in the Kuala Lumpur bureau early 1999.
Being served in the internationally- recognized agency, his works have been published in local and foreign newspapers and most of the well known magazines such as Life magazine’s website (photo of the day), IHT, Time, Asiaweek, Far Eastern Economic Re- view, The Star-Ledger (NY) and more.
Apart from his busy schedule, he still finds time to be a judge for photography competi- tions, share his knowledge and experience by giving talks, conducting workshops and teaches Photojournalism in universities such as University Technology Malaysia (UTM – SPACE), International Islamic University (IIUM), Open University (OUM) and University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF).
Invited as an External Assessors for Photography module for Ministry of Human Re- source (HR) and panel member of assessors for the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) under the Ministry of Education. A Panel member of Photography Accreditation for Malaysian Creative Content Industry Guild (CCIG)
Picked to assist Dr Shahidul Alam; a member of Board of Advisor for National Geo- graphic & MAGNUM Agency for his Photojournalism Masterclass in Kuala Lumpur in May 2016.
He was invited as one of the speakers at TEDx – UMSKAL held in Labuan in 2017 and a mentor at Kinabalu Photo Festival since 2014.
Served as a photographer for the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) in Kuala Lumpur from 2004 till 2014 and currently with METADATA as Principal Trainer.
Exhibition
- Photography as an Art 1994, Kuala Lumpur.
- `Conjunction Points’ Asian Photography and Film Exhibi- tion 2005, Gwangju, Korea.
- `Close Encounter’ Photo Exhibition 2010, Jeju Museum of Arts, Korea.
- MPPA News Photographers Exhibition, MATIC KL
Judge’s Tips:
– Symmetry
An image is divided equally into two parts either horizontally or vertically. It is the simplest form of compositional structure and it helps create a sense of unanimity and harmony. Should only be used for exceptional structures that truly demand such treatment and should be executed in a technically perfect manner
– Rule of thirds
An image appears to be more pleasing to the human eye when the subjects or regions within the frame are composed along imaginary lines which divide the frame into vertical and horizontal thirds. It applies to all genres of photography.
– Learn how to take sharp pictures
Soft and blurry images can be very disappointing and if you have a problem with creating sharp photographs, please follow the following tips:
a. Hold the camera steady
b. Set the shutter speed higher than the focal length. E.g. If the focal length is 100mm make sure the shutter speed is higher than or at least equal to 100mm (for full frame sensor) or 150mm (for DX sensor)
c. Set higher ISO (which will automatically result in higher shutter speed).
d. Use a tripod
– Vary the shooting angle
If you are still taking most of your pictures standing straight, at your eye level, then you should start experimenting with angles. Try to get down on your knees or even try laying on the ground to get a different perspective. Getting low can yield great results, especially when photographing people and animals. So does shooting at higher level which can deliver a unique photo taken at the level unusual to human eye level.
– Tell a story
A good picture is usually able to tell a story. After all as they said a picture is worth a thousand words. Story can be told by either a single photograph or a series of photographs. This skill is especially vital in photojournalism and documentary photography where a single photo is able to tell a dramatic story.