For nine years, Sony has been presenting its annual World Photography Award to the winners of the competition. This year, the shortlist is composed of over 270 photographers from nearly 60 countries. According to the World Photography Organization’s press release, this is ‘the most in the awards’ nine-year history’! This year, Middle Easterners are filling up the categories for the Sony World Photography Award.
To the delight of all the Arabs, a panel of experts have chosen several Middle Easterners to be shortlisted in this competition that is split into a variety of categories. Those in the awards’ Professional categories compete for a $25,000 prize and the L’Iris d’Or/ Photographer of the Year title. A $5,000 prize will be awarded to the winners of the Professional categories, along with the Youth and Student winners plus the Open Photographer of the Year. The recipient of the title and the other winners will all be announced Thursday, the 21st of April, at the Sony World Photography Awards Gala Ceremony in London.
Here is a list of the Middle Easterners shortlisted for the 2016 Sony World Photography Award:
1. Amir Hoosein, Iran. Shortlisted, Open Competition, Arts and Culture: His photo captures a Persian tradition, Tazieh and Parde-khani, inspired by historical and religious events, which symbolize epic spirit and resistance.
2. Nader Saadallah, Egypt. Shortlisted, Open Competition, Arts and Culture: Saadallah, who studied theatre in Alexandria, captured the essence of the traditional Lijiang show of the Naxi, Yi and Bai people, which he titled Culture’s Soul.
3. Mohammed Yousef, Kuwait. Shortlisted, Professional , Environment: The fascinating relationship between a lion and lioness in Masai Mara, Africa
4. Asghar Khamseh, Iran. Shortlisted, Professional , Contemporary Issues: This photo is meant to stress the importance of stopping the violence of acid throwing on women and children.
5. Armand Tamboly, Egypt. Shortlisted, Professional, Portraiture, Stereotypes: Tamboly tackled the issue of stereotypes and closed taboos in Arab countries
6. Ahmed Gaber, Egypt. Shortlisted, Youth, Portraiture: Rasheed, A picture of children playing in the town of Rasheed
Also, each of the three shortlisted Egyptians: Nader Saadallah, Ahmed Gaber, and Armand Tamboly, are competing in different categories to win the title of Photographer of the Year 2016.
We wish them all the luck!
Don’t forget to leave a smile :)!
