This is part of my written entries about the Canon EOS Youth Ambassador 2017 programme. To read more from this please click on the 'CANON EYA' tag on the left bar of this website :) To be updated on the next batch for this programme, please follow the Canon official instagram and facebook page.
So last October, Nael shared out a link to the flyer showing that Canon was holding a programme for the EOS Youth Ambassador. I've not repeated this enough - but the truth is I'm not a super pro photographer, as much as I love it, I still treat it as a personal hobby. So when I first saw the ad I thought 'man, I can't compete with the whole Malaysia'. I put it off and forgot about it until one day the same ad came across my social media feed. By this time, it was 3 days before the deadline. There was a spark inside that told me to just, at least, try and apply. No one has ever lost anything in trying.
On the very last day I grabbed my phone and recorded a quick video in my bedroom. I edited it haphazardly and submitted it a couple of hours before the deadline.
A month later, somehow, my name was selected as the part of the 27 youths who would be joining the programme. This is the first time such a project has been done in Malaysia. We would be going through 6 months of rigorous workshops on the weekends to learn modules on photography. There were classes on the technicals and equipment, printing, post processing, lighting, journalism, macro, landscape, branding and videography - all taught by several Canon EOS Masters and professionals of the industry. Each class will present us with an assignment, from which we will be graded.
Basically, it's diving course into the world of photography, all sponsored by Canon hehe.
To say I consider myself lucky and in awe was an understatement. The first time I stepped into the Canon HQ, I was a nervous jelly. It had been a while since I put myself out there and gotten involved with a group of people I'd never met. It's the same feeling as going into the first day of a semester at a new university. Despite my jitters, I also loved the excitement. The best way to challenge and improve yourself is to get into something new.
During the first class, I remember wondering how many Ambassadors would be selected at the end of the programme. Mr Jeffrey Kung, Head of Consumer Imaging and Information Group, replied with something I'll never forget to this day -
There is no limit to how many of you we are selecting. We will reward those who have been performing well accordingly. If all of you do well, we will select all of you. This is not a programme where you come, and it ends, and then you go. We are hoping to inspire change and create a culture of passionate youth. However you leave this programme at the end of the year, you will definitely be gaining something from us, and we hope to receive the same from you too.
I personally found it such a healthy way to cultivate the spirit of learning and doing your best. That the only person standing in the way of your success is yourself.
I know a lot of people really want to know what you get if you become an ambassador. As far as my understanding goes, the title and recognition is one thing (guys, this is literally the best camera brand in the world), and you'll have exposure and connections to professionals in the field, access to the latest cameras and equipments, be eligible for special discounts and prices, and be invited to events to spread the love of imaging. Phewh. It's basically a great leap in your career.
It's been 6 months since we started! We're just wrapping up Phase A, which are all the classes. Our evaluation is next week and I'm not too nervous about it - I've done my best and I know there's a lot of room for improvement. Phase B is going to kick off after that - all of us will be assigned to one professional EOS master and get to go on an assignment with them. It's something like an internship. We'll have to select photos taken during the pairing and submit it for our final reviews.
So that's the mechanics of it all so far. Personally, its been such a rewarding journey and my confidence in photography has improved tremendously. People always ask me recommendations for equipment and settings and it all sounded so heavy, foreign and boring to me. This course made me step out of my comfort zone and really advanced my knowledge. So if anyone asks me about 'gears' I know it means cameras now. Lol jokes.
That aside, I've met a lot of extremely talented, skilled and knowledgable people. Mr Cliff, especially, our disciplinarian throughout this programme (jokes jokes he's our mentor), and all of the youth ambassadors. I know I've gained new real life friends and hopefully after this I can invite them to help me with my #ootds. My tripod is tired already. Hahaha.
But seriously guys, this has been such an incredible learning experience for 2018, and I am so thankful.
I'll be posting more in the coming weeks about the various classes that's happened. All my love.
The Canon EYA (EOS Youth Ambassador) kids after a lighting workshop with Mr Chai Kok Leong :D
I suppose it's proper time that I finally share out what's been happening during my weekends with Canon Malaysia!
So last October, Nael shared out a link to the flyer showing that Canon was holding a programme for the EOS Youth Ambassador. I've not repeated this enough - but the truth is I'm not a super pro photographer, as much as I love it, I still treat it as a personal hobby. So when I first saw the ad I thought 'man, I can't compete with the whole Malaysia'. I put it off and forgot about it until one day the same ad came across my social media feed. By this time, it was 3 days before the deadline. There was a spark inside that told me to just, at least, try and apply. No one has ever lost anything in trying.
On the very last day I grabbed my phone and recorded a quick video in my bedroom. I edited it haphazardly and submitted it a couple of hours before the deadline.
A month later, somehow, my name was selected as the part of the 27 youths who would be joining the programme. This is the first time such a project has been done in Malaysia. We would be going through 6 months of rigorous workshops on the weekends to learn modules on photography. There were classes on the technicals and equipment, printing, post processing, lighting, journalism, macro, landscape, branding and videography - all taught by several Canon EOS Masters and professionals of the industry. Each class will present us with an assignment, from which we will be graded.
Basically, it's diving course into the world of photography, all sponsored by Canon hehe.
To say I consider myself lucky and in awe was an understatement. The first time I stepped into the Canon HQ, I was a nervous jelly. It had been a while since I put myself out there and gotten involved with a group of people I'd never met. It's the same feeling as going into the first day of a semester at a new university. Despite my jitters, I also loved the excitement. The best way to challenge and improve yourself is to get into something new.
During the first class, I remember wondering how many Ambassadors would be selected at the end of the programme. Mr Jeffrey Kung, Head of Consumer Imaging and Information Group, replied with something I'll never forget to this day -
There is no limit to how many of you we are selecting. We will reward those who have been performing well accordingly. If all of you do well, we will select all of you. This is not a programme where you come, and it ends, and then you go. We are hoping to inspire change and create a culture of passionate youth. However you leave this programme at the end of the year, you will definitely be gaining something from us, and we hope to receive the same from you too.
I personally found it such a healthy way to cultivate the spirit of learning and doing your best. That the only person standing in the way of your success is yourself.
I know a lot of people really want to know what you get if you become an ambassador. As far as my understanding goes, the title and recognition is one thing (guys, this is literally the best camera brand in the world), and you'll have exposure and connections to professionals in the field, access to the latest cameras and equipments, be eligible for special discounts and prices, and be invited to events to spread the love of imaging. Phewh. It's basically a great leap in your career.
It's been 6 months since we started! We're just wrapping up Phase A, which are all the classes. Our evaluation is next week and I'm not too nervous about it - I've done my best and I know there's a lot of room for improvement. Phase B is going to kick off after that - all of us will be assigned to one professional EOS master and get to go on an assignment with them. It's something like an internship. We'll have to select photos taken during the pairing and submit it for our final reviews.
So that's the mechanics of it all so far. Personally, its been such a rewarding journey and my confidence in photography has improved tremendously. People always ask me recommendations for equipment and settings and it all sounded so heavy, foreign and boring to me. This course made me step out of my comfort zone and really advanced my knowledge. So if anyone asks me about 'gears' I know it means cameras now. Lol jokes.
That aside, I've met a lot of extremely talented, skilled and knowledgable people. Mr Cliff, especially, our disciplinarian throughout this programme (jokes jokes he's our mentor), and all of the youth ambassadors. I know I've gained new real life friends and hopefully after this I can invite them to help me with my #ootds. My tripod is tired already. Hahaha.
But seriously guys, this has been such an incredible learning experience for 2018, and I am so thankful.
I'll be posting more in the coming weeks about the various classes that's happened. All my love.
The flyer that went out in October 2017. I do believe they're going to be hosting this again. Please follow the Canon social media pages - Canon Malaysia FB / Canon Malaysia Instagram to be updated for any other programs and enrolments!
Some of our cameras after photojournalism workshop at Batu Caves.
Half of us with Mr Cliff Pek. We're quite a happy bunch! :D
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