The annual photo competition "Abu Dhabi Through Your Eyes" is now accepting submissions from both amateurs and professionals of images that "capture the spirit and essence of Abu Dhabi".
Exactly what that means is open to the interpretation of the six judges, who are asked to consider the technique, composition, quality and relevance of each entry. "It's not just about the technicalities, because many of the photos that are perfect in some ways can lack a certain spirit," said Sabah al Abbasi, a judge of last year's competition and the executive director of Shawati' magazine, which is funded by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.
"I hope to see something that is not of the desert or falcons, but a new vision that is outside of the box," she said. The deadline for entries to the competition, held by the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi, is December 31. The winners will be announced in February and their photographs exhibited throughout the year. About 30 submitted images are also compiled in a book distributed by the office.
A photo of the Al Maqta Bridge at sunset by Omar al Zaabi, a professional photographer, won first place in the competition two years ago. Mr al Zaabi says his photographs are now recognised by more people, raising his work to a higher standard. "It has helped to develop my skills because people now expect me to produce an image that is at least to the same level as the winning picture," he said. He chose the picture because the bridge is seen in many old photographs of the city. "Although Abu Dhabi is rapidly developing, we still remember our past, which is represented in Al Maqta Fort and Al Maqta Bridge," he said.
The winning entry last year was a photo of a fisherman pulling a net out of the water, taken by the British photographer Rodney Shane Greene. The judges voted unanimously for that photo "just because of the way it captured commercial fishing, something that is almost bygone now", said Ms al Abbasi. Submissions that make a statement tend to gain favour with the judges, said Saoud al Mulla, the chairman of applied media studies at the Higher Colleges of Technology, who was on the panel last year. He would like to see photos portraying the juxtaposition of indulgence and tradition in the emirate.
He suggested contrasts of old neighbourhoods with distant modern buildings peeking up behind them, Ramadan tents in front of opulent homes or a Rolls-Royce in the desert. "Shots of the big mosque or of the city's skyline alone, that is just cement and glass and does not interest me," he said. "The people and the local content in the modern city, examples of how the city has transformed, this is what I want to see - not camels."
Up to four unpublished photographs can be submitted online on the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi's site, brand.abudhabi.ae, or with a completed entry form at one of 40 drop boxes. The winner takes home Dh30,000, while 14 others receive awards between Dh25,000, and Dh10,000. The winning photographs from previous years will be exhibited at Al Wahda Mall on October 13-22.
econroy@thenational.ae
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
'Nope'
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5