ABU DHABI // The winners of the second annual Al Gharbia photography competition were announced yesterday, with photographers taking prizes in the three categories of adventure, nature and heritage. Saeed Sultan al Khasouni took first prize in the adventure category with his dramatic photograph of a jet skier. Maitha Bint Khalid came first in the nature category for her overhead shot of the Al Gharbia shoreline.
Yousif Jasem Al Ali won the award in the heritage category for his silhouette of a man and his falcon. They were each awarded Dh20,000. Second and third-place prizes of Dh15,000 and Dh10,000 were also given in each category. The competition was launched last year by the Western Region Development Council (WDRC). This year's event saw 70 photographers, all residents of the UAE, submitting 588 photos.
Mohamed Hamad Bin Azzan al Mazrouei, the director general of the WRDC, said he was delighted with the large response. "We developed the photography competition to seek and promote fresh talent and creativity among amateur photographers and professionals, and to capture the beauty and majesty of Al Gharbia's natural landscapes, together with its vibrant festivals," he said. The awards highlighted the region's rich heritage and culture, he added. The three judges were Omar al Zaabi of the Emirates Photography Association, Nasser Haji, a representative of Abu Dhabi International Photography Society, and Karen Davies, a deputy photo editor on The National. @Email:aseaman@thenational.ae