Every year World Photography Day is observed on Aug 19. The occasion puts the photo, photographers, photographic arts, sciences, and tools in focus; and restores the heritage of this human discovery. The photo represents a tool of knowledge, documentation, and a source of facts about society and nature, in addition to representing utility and beauty. On this occasion, officials, experts, and creators pointed out — in their statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) — Qatar's efforts and pioneering role in sponsoring the art of photography and the prestigious awards it has dedicated to them.
They shed light on the great achievement of Qatari photographers locally, regionally, and internationally; and the preparations of the institutions and creators to express the potential of social, cultural, and artistic renaissance in Qatar during its hosting of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. One of the main efforts reflecting the development in this field and the continuity of generations that serve the cultural and artistic development in Qatar is the photo festival 'Tasweer'.
The festival is rich in events and exhibitions. The Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani Awards celebrate the creativity of photographers and photography enthusiasts in Qatar and around the world. The award commemorates the life and work of Sheikh Saoud bin Mohamed bin Ali al-Thani, who served as Chairman of National Council for Art, Culture and Heritage from 1997-2005 and created the first award for photography 20 years ago. In his statement to QNA, director of Tasweer festival Khalifa al-Obaidly elaborated the role of the award and the festival in enriching the cultural life and enhancing the role of photographic arts. He said that the festival management will announce — withing two months — the opening of applications for the 2023 Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani Photography Awards which is organised in partnership with Sheikh Saud Al-Thani Foundation.
Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani Photography Awards comprises two categories, the first is Single Image Award, a competition directed to talented people who are passionate about photography and students to express their ideas and their worlds through a photographic camera or a phone camera, and to compete in presenting the best photo or group of photos that bear artistic ideas and document special moments, provided that the jury will choose 10 winners to participate in the award exhibition that will be held next year.
The second category is related to photographic projects, for which a financial grant of QR30,000 is allocated to the best projects submitted to the competition. It attracts the category of experienced and professional photographers with great experience in the Middle East and West Asia to present their existing projects or photographic projects that they plan to complete. This grant provides financial support, guidance, and direction by a specialised team.
Al-Obaidly stressed that this competition aims to discovering new photographic talents, build bridges of communication between artists, and display their ideas and projects in various parts of Qatar and its institutions. He pointed out that the winning and participating works of last year's edition were displayed in art gallery in Qatar Foundation student centre, Hammad Hospital lobbies, and Doha Tower, saying that the results of the next competition will be displayed next year in special places for the public to see.
He pointed out that the Qatar Photography Centre of the Ministry of Culture works to develop and enhance the skills of professional photographers and to move trainees from the hobby stage to professionalism, encourage them to paticipate in local and international competitions, improve photography and provide appropriate conditions for its practice by scientific, technical methods and means, as well as create all possible means for the members of the centre to practice their activities through plans and programs to develop capabilities and motivate the talented.
In a similar statement to QNA, Vice-President of Qatar Photography Cente Ahmed Khaled al-Ansari elaborated the efforts exerted by the centre to sponsor Qatari photographers; showcase their work in international forums; and reflect Qatar's culture, heritage, and environment before and during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. He stressed the completion of preparations to launch a group of individual and joint art exhibitions highlighting the sporting renaissance in the country and its sports landmarks during September, to highlight the aesthetics of the World Cup stadiums and document Qatar's hosting of tournaments, teams, athletes, cultural, and creative events accompanying the FIFA Arab Cup 2021. He said that during September the centre will organise a solo exhibition for the Qatari artist Jassim al-Buainain at the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, reflecting the aesthetics of sports and its symbols in Qatar.
On the centre's participation during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, al-Ansari said that during the World Cup activities in November and until the end of next December, the centre will set up photography studios documenting the event, as well as individual and joint art exhibitions, adding that in the framework of developing the capabilities of photographers, the center organises joint programs with the state's institutions, including Qatar Charity and Qitaf Educational Company, and has concluded agreements with International photographic companies such as Canon, Nikon, Fuji, and Sony.
