Wu Peng Seng was one of Singapore's chief pioneer photographers. The influential lensman was a prominent member of the Photographic Society of Singapore who received numerous awards and recognition for his art. In 1990, he received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to photography in Singapore.

Born in 1915 in Shantou, China, Wu Peng Seng received his early education in Hong Kong. His father was an avid photographer, and this rubbed on a teenage Wu who taught himself how to use a camera, and never went anywhere without his camera in tow.

Completing his university education at Guang Hua University in Shanghai, China, Wu went into the import-export business, which would bring him to Southeast Asia. It was in Vietnam in 1947 that he would hold his first solo exhibition of his photographs, and he made his way to Penang, Malaysia the following year, eventually finding himself in Singapore.

In Singapore, Wu decided to pursue his passion for photography seriously. He left his job to venture into professional photography. His received his first official recognition of his photographic skills with a silver medal in the 1st Singapore Open Photo Exhibition in 1950, officially marking the beginning of a illustrious career that would see him receiving international honours and exhibiting his photographs all around the world.

Wu experimented widely with his photography and was always interested in learning new techniques to widen his photography knowledge and vocabulary. Through this, he developed his own style which reflected his relentless pursuit for the perfect shot. He travelled to many locations in different countries throughout his career to capture elusive moments of beauty. From idyllic depictions of Singapore country life, Wu’s pursuit brought him to Nepal, South Africa, Canada and the USA. China would be a major source of inspiration for Wu, whose photographs contained a distinctly oriental flavour. He counted the Silk Road in China as one of his favourite locations to photograph.

Besides the many awards he received at international salons and exhibitions, Wu also gained recognition with many prestigious photography organisations around the world. He was made an associate of the International Federation of Photographic Art in 1957 and a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society in the UK in 1960. Closer to home, Wu was made an honorary member of the Chinese Photographic Association of Hong Kong in 1965 and an honorary fellow of the Photographic Society of Thailand.

Wu also shared his expertise and knowledge with fellow photographers in Singapore, serving as an assistant secretary of the Photographic Society of Singapore in the post-independence years

In 1990, Wu received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to photography in Singapore. That same year, he was made a honorary life member of the Photographic Society of Singapore.

In 1996, Wu held his final solo exhibition 60 Years in Reminiscence in Singapore, publishing an accompanying book Peng Seng Wu – 60Years in Reminiscence.

Wu passed away in 2006 at the age of 91 in Singapore.