Four photographers have snapped up high praise and prizes for their incredible images of ‘Bahrain Today’ in GDN’s popular photography competition.
Hundreds of amateur and professional photographers competed in four categories— the people of the kingdom, landscapes and seascapes, architecture and buildings and flora and fauna— to receive a free three-month-long subscription to the GDN, as well as capture coveted Canon EOS 4,000 DSL prize cameras.
Amatuer photographers Ahmed Abdulnabi, Joey ‘Weng’ Geromo and father and son duo, Jayaraj and Kesshav Sivadasan, wowed the panel of Al Hilal /Gulf Daily News Group judges made up of three senior members headed by group creative director André Bigg, for their technical competence, subject matter and creative composure.
“The winning images were chosen from almost a thousand submissions, many of which were outstanding,” said Mr Bigg.
“The judges felt that the winning photographs combined technical excellence with creative empathy with each of the winners capturing the essence and spirit of their particular category.
“The competition has grown over the past five years in both quantity of submissions as well as quality. Today, we are receiving submissions from amateur and professional photographers of all ages, genders and nationalities that reflect the beauty and diversity of the kingdom in their photographs.
“The GDN is delighted to be able to highlight the best of their work and provide them with the recognition, which they so rightly deserve.
“The competition celebrates the very best of Bahrain as seen through the eyes of the people who call Bahrain their home.”
Bahraini telecom operator Mr Abdulnabi, 31, used his Nikon Z 6II to take an image of master dhow builder Mohamed Rahimi. It won him the people of the kingdom category.
“I wanted to capture people working on Bahraini crafts; the ones who treasure our culture and heritage,” said Mr Abdulnabi who is a first-time participant and photography winner. “Haji Mohamed is a master at his craft and one of the oldest dhow builders in Bahrain. I took a picture of him in Muharraq in an area where dhows are made. I am so happy to have won and can’t wait to use my new camera.”
Filipino Mr Geromo, 41, another first-timer, was shocked by his victory in the architecture and buildings category as he only started learning how to use his Canon EOS M5. He took a picture of a popular mosque with the Bahrain World Trade Center peering through for a sense of old meets new.
“I am so excited,” said the Manama-based graphic designer and bassist in the popular heavy metal and rock band called Rock United. “This is my first time competing in any photography contest. Most of my friends, particularly my girlfriend, have been encouraging me to pursue photography, which I find as a stress reliever. This win has really motivated me to continue my photography passion.”
Meanwhile, Indian expatriate Mr Sivadasan, 49, and his son Kesshav, 18, a student at The Asian School, Bahrain, are doubly delighted for their successes. Mr Sivadasan, a senior engineer, won the landscape and seascape with his panoramic picture of Bahrain using his Nikon D850, while his son seized the flora and fauna accolade with his Nikon D3500 for his image of two birds feasting.
“My son jumped for joy,” said Mr Sivadasan who collected both prizes as his son was in school at the time of the handover and group picture in GDN Media’s Sanad office with the other winners and associate editor Andrews Victor and managing editor Stan Szecowka.
“We are part of the Friday Dawn Shooters (FDS) group where we set off every Friday morning to different locations to capture the beauty of Bahrain. My son took his picture in Hidd while I took mine from the rooftop of the Bahrain World Trade Center.”
His son started taking photographs in 2018 after Mr Sivadasan won a camera in a photography contest and gave it to him. They have been sharing their love of photography ever since and hope to continue to do so even after his son goes off for further studies in India.
This is Mr Sivadasan’s third photographic contest win this year. He took first in the FDS annual contest and in a major competition in India for his festival and heritage image.
“We both feel wonderful about this,” added Mr Sivadasan.
Aside from being handpicked from a panel of judges, they also received the most ‘likes’ on all of GDN’s social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and GDNlife.
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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