The final session of the Dubai Image Forum in Dubai concluded with a lecture titled «The Art of Influential Content» presented by American photographer and winner of this year's Creator Award, Mark Smith. Veteran photographers expressed their admiration for the audience's engagement with the forum's topics and offered several suggestions for the next edition, with intellectual property and photographer rights protection being the top priority. The award's organizing committee has taken these suggestions into consideration.
«The Dubai Image Forum received a very positive response from the public, despite differing opinions on the strength and importance of the events,» stated the Secretariat of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoom International Photography Award (HIPA). «However, there was a consensus that the forum is the most inspiring and knowledge-rich event in the region. Some photographers requested that the forum's duration be extended, while others noted that the public is thirsty for this kind of knowledge and skill, and the event should be held more than once a year. We expect HIPA to achieve this, as it is the most giving to photographers eager for success and development.»
The first day of the forum ended with a lecture «Storytelling Despite the Challenges» by American photographer Rick Smolan, the recipient of the 14th cycle's honorary award.
The second day began with a photography tour at the Museum of the Future titled «Symphony of Lines: Architectural Photography», led by Egyptian photographer Wael Ansy. Following that, the audience enjoyed and interacted with a workshop titled «Smart Editing with Lightroom» presented by Kuwaiti photographer Majed Sultan Al-Zaabi.
The Secretariat of the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoom International Photography Award (HIPA) revealed the results of the fourth edition of the «Dubai Image Forum», which was recently held in Dubai following the closing ceremony of the 14th cycle. The packed schedule featured six diverse events presented by a elite group of prominent photographers from the UAE, Kuwait, Egypt, Palestine, Ethiopia, and the United States.
«We are delighted by the great turnout for the fourth edition of the forum, and more importantly, the positive impressions from the public, who were grateful for the valuable knowledge, skills, and photographic treasures offered at the forum,» said Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, the award's Secretary General. «The presence of 300 photographers at the events is a promising sign, and we were pleased with the results of the public survey, which showed that 93% confirmed it is the most inspiring and knowledge-rich event in the region, and 96% demanded that the forum be extended and held more than once a year.»
He added: «HIPA is committed to providing knowledge-based and skill-based containers that align with the latest developments in the global photography industry. The positive results of the public's evaluation of the forum at this level reflect the vision for which the award was established on the ground, and we are currently studying these demands seriously.»
The first day of the forum included a practical photography tour in the old areas of Dubai titled «Through the Alleys of Time», led by Emirati photographer Alaa Al-Awz in the morning until noon. After that, the audience enjoyed and interacted with a panel discussion titled «Photography in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,» moderated by Emirati photographer and editor-in-chief of National Geographic Arabia, Hussein Al-Musawi. The discussion featured Ethiopian photographer Aida Moluna, Palestinian visual artist Yahya Qadoura, and American photographer Karen Egnar.
