Within the framework of the 13th Hamdan International Photography Award, the photo by Mukhammed Rashid Al Maktoum on the theme "sustainability" was unanimously agreed upon as a deserving culmination of their hard work, and also served as a reflection of many years of experience in photography. The photographs highlighted the importance of imagery in conveying various messages, whether these were randomly taken shots or carefully planned works, infused with challenges and experiences.
The Chinese photographer Libing Kao, who won first prize in the amount of $200,000, stated that his winning photograph was taken by chance. It featured a view of towering turbines against the sky, where the blades slowly rotated in the blowing wind, symbolizing the calming might of renewable energy. He decided to capture this moment due to the dynamic nature of the sky and its unique beauty. According to him, winning this competition was a tremendous joy, as it became an award for his 40-year career with a camera. He also emphasized his interest in the theme of sustainability and the development of the world and the surrounding environment.
The photo from Palestine by Fatima Al Shabir, which claimed first place in the photo reportage category, recounted her work on the war front in the Gaza sector. She noted that her images carry not only the history of people but also her own personal history, as everyone faces the same danger during wartime actions. Fatima expressed that photojournalists carry the truth through the objective lens of the camera, and that photographs become messages from wartime, requiring the acceptance of challenges and difficulties of shooting. She pointed out that as a photographer, she encountered problems during wartime and difficulties in conveying her messages.
The Saudi photographer Yumn Bint Mukhammed Al Malla, who took second place in the "General Colors" category, shared her photograph taken at one of the Moroccan horse festivals. She noted that her images captured movement, highlighting horses, riders, and participants, and also emphasized the importance of harmonizing all elements within the frame. This created a foundation for presented shows, where the loss of any component could lead to the potential demise of a particular rider. Yumn remarked that participation in such contests became a tremendous support for her and a remarkable achievement.
The third place in the "General Colors" category was taken by Ahmed Abdullakh Al Khusni, whose image captured the moment of rescuing a girl from danger, threatened by a falling tree. He emphasized that the value of such an award lies in the opportunity to participate in international competitions and the importance of conveying emotions and moments in images with a sense of naturalness, attracting viewers to the artwork.
