A group of photographers succeeded in capturing stunning images at the 14th Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, themed 'Power'. Winners in various categories shared with 'Emirates Today' that the award is a culmination of a long journey with the lens and is considered one of the most prestigious prizes a photographer aspires to win in their career.
Insect Wings Emirati photographer Ammar Sayed Ahmed secured third place in the Photo Story category for his work on insect wings. He described this win as a significant achievement, as it involved telling a complete narrative. Ahmed's story focused on the hidden beauty of insect wings, invisible to the naked eye. He stated that the award was a primary goal, having participated in the competition for eight years. Starting with nature photography in 2014, he transitioned to macro photography out of a love for capturing the new, the hidden, and the captivating. Despite an initial fear of insects, Ahmed embraced the challenge, facing numerous difficulties during trips to Asian countries where insects surrounded him. He now plans to photograph in the Amazon rainforest, considering it the final stage in his insect photography journey.
Documenting Suffering Syrian photographer Hashem Dardoura, who won first place in the 'Power' category, spoke about his relationship with the camera, which began as a hobby in 2016 and evolved into documenting the suffering of the Syrian people. He captured diverse forms of hardship, such as displacement and airstrikes, noting that his images carry deep emotion from moments when others needed help and protection for their lives. Dardoura mentioned that in some situations, he put down his camera to assist rescue teams. His winning photograph was taken in October 2024 in Idlib province after a wood workshop was struck by airstrikes. The child in the photo, Khaled Al-Balshi, was working in the workshop to support his family and was trapped under the rubble until he was rescued.
Luck Plays a Role American photographer Karen Eigner, who won first place in the General Color category, captured an image of an American jaguar in Ecuador while leading a workshop on visual storytelling. She explained they were in a forest, specifically in an area where animals lick clay, a natural process to help them maintain salt levels in their bodies. After waiting for hours for birds, Eigner decided to take a short break with her team when a jaguar appeared about 50 meters away, calmly walking with an injured eye. She managed to take the picture spontaneously when the jaguar looked at their group. Eigner believes luck plays a role in getting a remarkable shot, but a photographer must be prepared and in the right position to capture it.
Photographer of the Year Omani photographer Salim Sultan Al-Hajri was named Photographer of the Year at the 14th Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award. Al-Hajri spoke about this honor, stating, 'This recognition means a lot to me; it is a culmination that every photographer dreams of. The award represents Omani, Gulf, Arab, and international photography.' Despite the honor, he does not yet consider himself a professional, as his government job is unrelated to photography. His first camera was purchased in 2014, and he began learning the secrets of photography by going out with other photographers and visually feeding his imagination. Al-Hajri focuses his work on the desert, which he loves, believing it can only be understood by its inhabitants and contains diverse terrains and forms of Bedouin life that attract his lens. He describes the desert as a miracle and a legend for those who understand it, serving as a source of inspiration for photographers, writers, and artists.
