The big, bright world is compressed into a tiny frame when you put your eye to the camera viewfinder. That’s when the storyteller in you can start to spin a tale. What would you like to show your viewers? Would you magnify the life of a busy bee perching on a flower in the neighbourhood park? Or get Shaikh Zayed Road’s dramatic skyline to cut through a flaming sky at sunset? The choices are many, but only three get picked from among the remarkable entries we receive every month. In September, reader photographers outdid themselves, with pictures telling stories of ancient traditions, of folk tales during their travel to foreign lands and of everyday adventures. Deputy Picture Editor Sankha Kar selected the top three winners and here, 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.
FIRST PLACE
PROFILE:
Thulasi Krishnan, a 39-year-old senior health, safety and environment engineer, is based in Dubai and is no stranger to winning in Gulf News’ reader picture competition.
He won last month and has repeated his success with a picture taken in Al Salam Mosque, in Al Barsha, Dubai.
The reader said: “I sincerely convey my happiness and gratitude for the encouragement and I hope to take more great pictures of this kind.”
Reason for winning:
Deputy Picture Editor Sankha Kar credited the mood, lighting and placement of the subject as the key ingredients for making Krishnan’s picture stand out.
He said: “The mood in the mosque is very calm and serene. When you follow the line of sight, you notice the sunlight from the left of the frame, falling on the man. The column behind him stops your gaze and makes it travel down to his face. Where is his face turned toward? To the Quran in his hands. So, the circle is complete – making the reader peek into a person’s life and experience what he is feeling. It’s a wonderful shot.”
SECOND PLACE
PROFILE:
Manoj Gurnani is a sales manager, residing in Dubai.
The reader’s winning photograph was part of a reader picture essay he sent in about the Al Garhoud Bridge.
He said: “This image of the underside of the bridge was really a bonus one, borne out of my photographing the mesmerising rainbow lights that used to exist on the bridge’s base walls in 2010. This image revealed itself while I was crossing from one side of the bridge to the other. Just one look at the perfect symmetry of the bridge and the photograph was inevitable!”
Reason for winning:
For Kar, the picture was complete, in its composition, colours and symmetry.
He said: “The angle of view is just right. It appears like an abstract image, with both bridges in complete harmony and balance – it’s picture-perfect.”
THIRD PLACE
PROFILE:
Adel Beheiry is an Egyptian architect, living in Dubai.
His winning photograph was part of a picture essay capturing some of the ancient mosques of Cairo, and placed the focus on Islamic art, architecture and history.
The reader said: “I enjoyed seeing the distinguished and unique architecture, with all its calligraphy, lanterns, trimmings and the towering heights of its ceilings and domes.”
Reason for winning:
Capturing the ancient can be intimidating, but Beheiry’s photograph brings the proportions of large archways, vaulted ceilings and massive doors to life.
Deputy Editor Sankha Kar explained why the photograph was selected for third position. He said: “Similar to the first place picture, this one captures a similar mood, lighting and central subject. However, what’s different in this picture is that the man breaks the rules and looks directly at the camera, making the photographer the centre of attention and not the subject. If he was looking outside the frame, that would have been more interesting – making a viewer more curious, and retaining the magical mood and story that the picture is trying to tell.”
