Dubai
A unique perspective can take any photograph from average to outstanding.
It all depends on your vantage point.
While a picture of your pet Golden Retriever would be great from any angle, try stepping away from shooting from the usual eye level. Go lower to show what your pet sees, or when it’s lunch time, capture his puppy-eyed impatience by standing tall and looking down at him. The same techniques can be applied across photographs – from landscapes and cityscapes to portraits.
A spiral staircase, for example, can look spectacular if shot from the top floor, looking downwards, capturing the descent into infinity.
So if you see something interesting you would like to capture on camera, don’t click right from where you are standing. Think about how a small change in angle could alter the image. A flat photograph can transform into something much more dramatic and interesting with techniques like perspective and depth of field, which is when you add something to the foreground of an image, leading the viewer into the picture.
We asked Gulf News’ Instagram followers to pick their favourite reader photograph of the month of January. They selected the picture they liked best, by responding to a poll on Instagram Stories. Here, we present the winners.
Editor’s note: Do you want to participate in our monthly Reader Picture Competition? Send us your best photographs, with captions, at readers@gulfnews.com.
FIRST PLACE
Syed Irtaza Kazmi goes by @ertazaqazme on instagram.
His picture essay of Lahore, Pakistan, captured the quintessential charm of the older parts of the city. His winning photograph is of a man reading the newspaper and gives insight into everyday life. Kazmi said: ‘Real life can be enjoyed in the old city. People love to remain updated and actively participate in political and national activities.’
His picture received 1,931 votes in our poll on Instagram, landing him in first place.
SECOND PLACE
Arjun Sasi is an area sales manager, based in Dubai, and uses @iarjunphotography as his instagram handle.
Prehistoric creatures came to life in the reader’s pictures from the Dinosaur Park at Dubai Garden Glow. The monochromatic image makes it seem as if the pterodactyl is truly flying over Dubai skies.
Sasi’s picture received 1,392 votes in our poll on Instagram.
THIRD PLACE
Ajita Nayar is a lecturer at Murdoch University, based in Dubai.
Her winning photograph is part of a picture essay on the abandoned town of Jazirat Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah. The graffiti drawing on the wall is in tribute to the UAE’s armed forces and Nayar said: ‘Heroes are still remembered among the ruins. I noticed this artwork of the soldiers, through the broken wall of one of the dilapidated homes in Jazira Al Hamra. That view and frame caught my attention.’
Her picture received 932 votes in our poll on Instagram.
