The camera is a sure companion for those who are travellers at heart, looking to frame the finest moments of their everyday adventures. In the month of November, our reader photographers turned tourists, exploring far-off places such as the serene European countryside, and interesting sights closer to home, where their neighbourhood fishermen land their first catch of the day.
Deputy Picture Editor Sankha Kar picked the top three winners and we present the photographs that stood out from the rest.
Editor’s note: Do you want to participate in our monthly Reader Picture Competition? Send us your best photographs, with captions, at readers@gulfnews.com.
On the web
View more pictures by the winners at gulfnews.com/pictures
RDS_141220 YT FIRST Picture Competition Winner Miral Ballout
Profile:
Miral Ballout is a Lebanese national, who moved to the UAE recently.
Her winning photograph was taken in the city’s Global Village, which is host to a number of international pavilions and an amusement park.
The reader photographer wanted to capture the enthusiasm of the little girl, playing by a colourful fountain, in her photograph.
Reason for winning:
Deputy Picture Editor Sankha Kar thought Ballout succeeded in her task.
He said: “It’s a candid shot. The colours are beautiful and the placement of the girl within the picture is just right. Despite being taken from behind, the photograph captures the young girl’s curiosity and delight by clearly focusing on her posture.”
RDS_141220 YT SECOND Picture Competition Winner Arindam Chatterjee
Profile:
Arindam Chatterjee is an Indian national, based in Sharjah.
Chatterjee took this picture on a trip to Romania, while his train halted for maintenance work in Novat Valley.
He said: “The curve of the Vaser River and its mellifluous flow towards the low lands caused viewers in the train to become spellbound by its beauty during this routine maintenance of the train. Although I couldn’t capture the Vaser at the time, I tried to depict the traditional Mocanita (the narrow gauge forestry steam train), with its steam leaving the frame of my photograph.”
Reason for winning:
For Deputy Picture Editor Sankha Kar, the black and white imagery of the photograph took viewers to a different time.
He said: “It’s a great example of travel photography. The photograph has a mysterious appeal and a nostalgic feel to it. The framing is excellent, with a trail of smoke blowing into the distance, leaving viewers wondering…”
RDS_141220 YT THIRD Picture Competition Winner Adel Beheiry
Profile:
Adel Beheiry is an Egyptian architect, based in Dubai.
In his Reader Picture Essay, Beheiry explored Al Mu’izz Street in Cairo, Egypt — a renowned pedestrian-only stretch that is home to 34 registered monuments, many of them dating back centuries.
The reader photographer ventured into antique markets, captured images of craftsmen at work and of ancient architecture along the ‘Grand Street’. His winning photograph was one of the Qalawun complex, which includes a madrasa, a hospital and a mausoleum, and was built in 1285AD.
Reason for winning:
The heritage site makes for an appealing subject, according to Deputy Picture Editor Sankha Kar.
He said: “Overall, the city feature was very well done. This photograph stands out due to its perfect exposure and lighting in the night-time. The reader has captured modern-day life alongside an old architectural heritage site. This combination is a winning one.”
