Doha Photography Award launched with total prizes worth QR 2.3 million

The Ministry of Culture announced Tuesday the launch of the Doha Photography Award, which comes within the activities of the first edition of the Doha Photography Festival and aims to activate Qatar's role in various fields of arts, with a special focus on the art of photography.HE Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani, Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali, several officials, and dignitaries attended the award launch ceremony.In a speech on the occasion, Director of the Qatar Photography Center, Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain, said that the award comes to translate the vision of the Ministry of Culture in continuing to achieve artistic and cultural momentum in society and creating a great interaction between the components of the photography industry, with the aim of supporting and encouraging photographers in the field of photography among different age groups, refining young Qatari talents, and developing their aesthetic sense and photographic taste.He noted that the objectives of the competition, which has been allocated valuable cash prizes, go beyond supporting talents and innovators to directly contribute to supporting the tourism movement in the country through a special axis in the award categories, focusing on highlighting the beauty of the State of Qatar and introducing its tourism components and famous landmarks in an artistic and attractive way, which contributes to encouraging tourism in Qatar at the local and international levels.Al Buainain added that the Qatar Photography Center is keen to enhance the participation of many segments of society in this distinguished award, calling on those interested in the field of photography, young talents, innovators, and professionals to seize the opportunity to participate in the award categories as the center is keen to expand the participation to contribute to promoting art and culture in the country.In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Director of the Fire Station Artists' Residence Khalifa Al Obaidli said that the Doha Photography Festival is one of the distinguished festivals that cares about art and photography, describing it as an "encouraging station" for Qatari photographers who were allowed by the festival to display their works in an organized and coordinated manner, noting at the same time that displaying the image in such beautiful festivals gives it great momentum and highlights it from all aspects, which makes its idea reach more widely.Al Obaidli noted that the festival was full of a group of lectures and workshops with the participation of international photographers who meet with each other to exchange experiences and participate effectively in it.The Doha Photography Award includes several categories and axes. It has opened the door for the participation of two categories:- The first category: for the age group under 18 years, and consists of one category (general), and participation is limited to those inside Qatar with all types of photos without being restricted to a specific axis.The first-place winner will receive QR 30,000, the second-place winner will receive QR 20,000, and the third-place winner will receive QR 10,000.- The second category: The adults category, is for those over 18 years old, and includes five axes:1- Qatar axis: It allows all photographers to participate in highlighting the beauty of the State of Qatar in an artistic and attractive way.Three prizes were allocated for the axis: First place QR 300,000, second place QR 200,000, and third place QR 150,000.2- Story axis: It allows photographers to submit 6 to 10 photos that tell a complete story. Three prizes were allocated for the axis: First place QR 150,000, second place QR 100,000, and third place QR 75,000.3- Special axis: It is determined by the competition committee affiliated with the Qatar Photography Center and changes it every year, and witnesses the organization of courses and workshops throughout the season to develop the skills of photographers.Three prizes were allocated for it: First place QR 150,000, second place QR 100,000, and third place QR 75,000.4- Video axis: Allows photographers to participate with creative video clips.Three prizes are allocated for it: First place QR 150,000, second place QR 100,000, and third place QR 75,000.5- General axis: It is divided into the color photos section and the black and white section, with three prizes for each section, for a total of six prizes: first place QR 150,000, second place QR 100,000, and third place QR 75,000.The activities of the Doha Photography Festival continued for the fifth consecutive day, as part of the cultural season activities, with a large attendance and participation of those interested in the arts of photography, as it is the appropriate destination for photography lovers and the largest event in the Qatari photography community.Through it, you can learn about the latest equipment and devices and acquire them through the pavilions of participating international companies.The day's activities witnessed the presentation of a group of lectures on the main stage, presented by a group of Qatari and international photographers, such as the lecture (Qatari Environment) by Hamad Al Khulaifi, (Exceptional Art of Photography) by Graham Kerry, (Newborn Photography) by Reem Al Badr, and concluded with the lecture (Chasing Stories in the Himalayas) by Niroj Sedhai.The day also featured the presentation of three training workshops: the (Speed Light) workshop by trainer Abdullah Hamdan Al Mannai, (Video Content Creation) by trainer Amir, and (Wedding Photography) by trainer Martina.The festival, which is located opposite Darb Al Saai in the Umm Salal area, concludes its activities on Wednesday, within the framework of promoting the art of photography in Qatar and highlighting the importance of this type of photography as a means of expression and documentation, in addition to inspiring the community with the stories and experiences of photographers, and promoting photographic tourism in the country.