Dubai
A person’s eyes might be the window to their soul, but their character can often be revealed through their hands.
That’s according to Chris Corradino, the head of the photography mentor program at New York Institute of Photography, US.
He writes on the institute’s website: “Effective portraits can be made without showing a person’s face. In the absence of colour, shape and texture become more pronounced.”
Imagine a baby’s impossibly soft, pudgy hands juxtaposed with the calloused, hard hands of a farmer. One is a blank canvas, the other carries years of experience, where every line and scar has a story to tell.
Through action or motion photography, the camera can capture the deft movement of hands that know what they are doing – whether turning a wheel or embroidering flowers – revealing a person’s skill without even showing their identity.
In September, we asked our reader photographers to tell the story of their subjects by capturing the theme of ‘Hands at work’.
The picture competition was opened up to voting by our Facebook readers, and they selected the top five winners, by liking the picture that they found best captured the theme. Here, we present the winners.
Editor’s note: If you would like to participate, log on to Gulf News’ Facebook page and send in your submission for October’s Facebook Reader Picture Competition.
FIRST PLACE
At World Trade Centre, Dubai, Mamata Mohapatra watched a woman hammer intricate designs into metal. She said: ‘An Emirati woman was busy, working to show her talent in handicrafts. I learned about her culture, and her work was so well-defined.’
Her picture received 282 likes on Facebook.
SECOND PLACE
Ajit Kumar Majhi’s photograph captures a potter’s skill in Kolkata, India. His picture is from Kumortuli, a traditional potters’ quarter in the northern part of the city, which has a long history of clay sculpting.
Majhi’s photograph received 133 likes on Facebook.
THIRD PLACE
Using his smartphone, Shihab Al Deen Hamza captured this image in Palakkad, Kerala, India. He said: ‘I took this photograph when I visited the area during my vacation. In winter’s chill or summer’s heat, a farmer works so that the world can eat. I wanted to say thank you to all farmers, through this picture.”
His picture garnered 88 likes on Facebook.
FOURTH PLACE
Biju Sivasankaran’s photograph is from Kerala, India. He said: “It is not easy to arrange wooden logs in a truck on a rainy day.”
His picture received 40 likes on Facebook.
FIFTH PLACE
Vladimire Manuel Lapuz captured this image in Ajman during the Liwa Ajman Date Festival. He said: ‘I sat and watched a woman weave a traditional basket, while she gladly explained the importance of keeping the Emirati heritage alive.’
His picture received 15 likes on Facebook.
