BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
For over a decade now, the annual Al Thani Award for Photography has not only turned into one of the most prestigious international photography competitions but has also become a shining beacon for photographers to excel in their craft.
Every year the Al-Thani Award receives thousands of entries from all over the world vying for the Al Thani Grand Prix which comes with a prize of $30,000, a limited edition Leica camera and a Photographic Society of America (PSA) Gold Medal.
“Last year alone we received around 70,000 images from 7,000 participants from more than 90 countries,” said Abdulrahman Fakhroo, Vice President of Qatar Photographic Society, organisers of the Doha-based worldwide competition under the patronage of Federation of International Art Photography (FIAP) and recognized by the PSA.
Submissions for the 12th edition of the Award already closed on October 29 and judging will be held on November 3 and 4 ahead of the much awaited awards ceremony to be held in December in Doha.
Interest in the competition has been on the rise around the world as reflected in the growing number of entries each year.
“The idea of the Al Thani Award was conceived in 2000; the following year we organised the first edition of the competition exclusively for Qatar, in 2003 we opened it for the GCC, in 2005 for the Arab world and the following year internationally,” explained Fakhroo.
The organisers have always ensured the quality of the winning photos through the criteria and the theme of the competition which comes in two sections: General and Themed.
In the general section participants enter images on any theme such as portrait, people, travel photography, architecture, still life, children, experimental photography and digital imaging, among others.
“We look for photos which are unique and never-seen-before and which reveal the photographer’s exceptional skill and technique in capturing the images. We are not looking for the commonplace so the photographer must look beyond the usual,” he explained.
Last year’s Al Thani Grand Prix Award winner was a shining example of a photographer’s extraordinary skill and eye in catching a rare moment on lens. German photographer Michael Schönberger’s ‘Man bites wolf’ photo bested thousands of images from over 90 countries to clinch the coveted award.
“The photographer was a friend of the owner of the wolf. The wolf tries to bite the owner but the owner bites it,” explained Fakhroo, “and never anywhere this moment has happened.”
The theme also plays a very important role in the quality of submissions. This year the theme is ‘The Magic of Light’
“We see to it that every year we come up with a theme that would challenge the participants’ creativity and talent. We make sure the awardees truly deserve an Al Thani,” he explained, adding deciding on a theme is rigorous and the process could take up to a month.
“It takes around a month to choose a theme because it has to be approved by our sponsor afterwards the jury debate on and finally approve it. The theme has to be unique, workable yet challenging and not too narrow because it could kill a photographer’s chance,” he explained.
Some of themes in the past editions were Flora (2001), Architecture (2002), Landscape (2003), Traditional Clothes and Jewellery (2004), The Animal Kingdom (2009), Planet Earth (2010), Emotions and Passions (2011).
In its 12-year-run the competition has maintained its prestige and created its own niche in the world of photography, thanks to an efficient organization and a visionary sponsor.
“We have regular meetings to discuss everything about the competition. Sheikh Saoud bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani, who is sponsoring the award is an art lover and an artist himself.”
Apart from the prizes, many participants join the competition to have their photos published in a limited edition coffee-table book which could not be found or bought anywhere.
“Sheikh Saoud said each page should only contain one picture,” he said, adding the book makes a fitting tribute to the best entries of the year.
Prizes include a total cash prize of $90,000, gold medals and trophies. The winners are also flown to Doha for a three-day stay to receive their awards and tour the country. The most coveted prize however is a limited edition Leica M6 camera given to the Grand Prix winner.
“The Leica camera is signed by Sheikh Saoud and exclusively designed just for him. There are only 15 such cameras in the world so it’s priceless. In 2015 the last Leica camera will be given so we are already thinking of the next set of cameras for the coming years.”
The awards are divided into three categories: Qatar, Middle East and International, and Fakhroo believes the awards helps in developing talents both locally and regionally by continually raising the bar in the field of photography.
“There is one category particularly for Qatar because Sheikh Saoud wants to develop interest and expertise in photography not only for Qataris but for all living in Qatar regardless of nationality,” explained Fakhroo.
Asked how Al Thani Award for Photography distinguishes itself among other photography competitions in the region and around the world, he said: “There are many competitions of this kind but in the case of Al Thani Award for Photography, we have built people’s trust and the increasing number of entries each year speaks of that. How do we achieve that? Through good organization: adherence to deadline and transparency by announcing the jury at the very start of the competition. We have to be clear and fair to everyone and that makes people trust us very much.”
Looking back, it is no surprise why Qatar Photographic Society is enjoying a successful 12-year run of Al Thani Award, among other achievements. It has come a long way since a group of four Qataris who had the passion for photography started in 1985.
“During that time, our parents would not allow us to carry cameras. In May 1995, while two of our members were taking photos in a camel race H H the Emir saw them and asked what they were doing and what they wanted and upon knowing they wanted to have a Society, he asked them to apply. So, in 1995 we were recognised officially as an organisation.”
From four, QPS’s membership increased to 20 and presently it has 350 members. From conducting meetings in a small room, the society has now three buildings which could not accommodate all its members.
The Society also conducts regular trainings in basic, intermediate and advance courses, filling around 1,500 to 2,000 seats every year.
“Many of the professional photographers in Qatar who are now doing well in their careers originally started in QPS.”
The Peninsula
