Thursday, May 09, 2013
Intro
Throughout the month of April, Gulf News was inundated with picture submission from our readers. From stunning animal shots to serene Nature scenes and artistic portraits, our readers seized the lens and pushed the envelope. They told a story and showed their passion for photography and the unique way in which they see the world. Deputy Photo Editor Sankha Kar had the daunting task of selecting the top three winning photographs from among the month’s dynamic selection. We have chosen the winning pictures for you to see, as well as a gallery of other stunning images from our winning photographers, to be viewed on gulfnews.com.
Winner Profiles
First place:
Neelima Muneef is a 24-year-old Dubai resident who hails from Kerala, India. In her spare time she likes gardening, reading and of course, pursuing photography. She has been taking photographs for almost a year and although she admits to being terrible at taking photos initially, her skills have grown thanks to her passion for the art, her wiliness to experiment and her study of renowned photographers and their work.
Reason for winning:
Deputy Photo Editor Sankha Kar said: “With the sun setting in the background, the reader was able to capture almost everything in the photo in perfect silhouette. The composition is strong and the subject is perfectly position to balance the picture.”
Second place:
Abrar Mohsin is a 29-year-old Dubai resident from India. His love of photography developed after meeting his mentor, Mr Arfan and his group Shutter Bugs n Dubai. Arfan’s simple approach to photography inspired Mohsin to use photography as a powerful means to communicate and project his imagination.
Reason for winning:
Sankha Kar said: “This photo has many layers, it is a mix of the new and the old. In the background we can see a mural depicting how people ventured into the sea to capture fish and clean it to feed the community. In the foreground we see how the tradition continues with the man hauling empty boxes on his way to the fish sellers’ stalls. The photo is an interesting theme and has good exposure.”
Third place:
Midhu Mary Thomas is originally from the state of Kerala in India and currently resides in the UAE. The 26-year-old has had a fascination with capturing beautiful moments and objects since a young age and has made the camera her medium of choice for showcasing her passion. Her photography is impulsive, and when she succeeds in capturing a moment that shows the world through her eyes, it brings her a sense of joy and satisfaction.
Reason for winning:
Sankha Kar said: “The lighting in this photo is excellent. The placement of the people walking and the contrast between the silhouettes and the perfect golden colour of the light from the setting sun make a beautiful scene.”
By Heather Madore Community Solutuions Editor
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