Dubai
Charlie Cole’s image of a lone Chinese protester squarely facing the People’s Liberation Army tanks in Tiananmen Square, China, in 1989.
Alfred Eisenstaedt’s photograph of an American sailor kissing a woman in Times Square, US, at the end of the Second World War.
Nick Ut’s picture of terrified children running from the site of a napalm attack during the Vietnam War in 1972.
Kevin Carter’s 1993 image of a vulture waiting, next to a starving child in southern Sudan.
These iconic photographs marked time, they wrung hearts, and told a story that was, at its core, human.
Pictures are memories, moments that hold immense meaning and value. Decades after the photographer clicks, the image still resonates with people from around the world, as they become markers of history.
When our reader photographers click, they are adding to the vast reserves of digital imagery. According to InfoTrends’ Worldwide Image Capture Forecast, consumers are expected to take 1.3 trillion photographs in 2017.
But does the picture you click have meaning? Will it hold value for someone decades from now, as they try to figure out the times we live in? It’s worth a thought. Quality becomes the key.
We asked Gulf News’ twitter followers to pick their favourite reader photograph of the month of July. They retweeted the picture they liked best. The pictures were ranked based on the highest number of retweets. Here, we present the winners.
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
Zohaib Anjum works in a real estate company, based in Dubai.
He captured this striking view of the stars at Qarn Nazwa in Fujairah. Qarn Nazwa is a limestone outcrop in the middle of the desert and attracts photographers and bird watchers.
Around 81 species of birds have been recorded in the area since March 2015.
Anjum’s photograph received 52 retweets and 57 likes on Twitter, landing him in first place.
SECOND PLACE
Murli Patni is based in Dubai.
When he first came to the UAE in 1980, he said he saw a city that was on the brink of transformation. Patni said: ‘When I arrived in Dubai, it was not as well-known as it is today, to the rest of the world. The city has achieved tremendous progress under the guidance of its rulers.’
His winning photograph captured a unique sight. Before there were mobile phone cameras, or even digital cameras, he took this image of Dubai residents getting ready for a photoshoot in the 1980s. Twitter user @Javedsh7 commented: “Old memories of Dubai Creek – so nostalgic. Loved it”.
Patni’s picture garnered 44 retweets and 81 likes.
THIRD PLACE
Salim Mohammad is an administrator in a Dubai-based university.
He was enjoying dinner with his friend at Souq Al Bahar, Dubai, when this sight caught his attention. He said: ‘I couldn’t resist taking this picture from my mobile phone – it was the perfect background. The Dubai Fountain was at work, the traditional abra was going across. As soon as the music started, visitors rushed to capture a glimpse of it. I always see a crowd when the fountain is about to start.’
His photograph received 14 retweets and 24 likes.
