Award-winning photographs

Last week, the essence of the UAE's land, people and leaders as captured by students on film was the focus of attention at Zayed University's Dubai Campus. It was the culmination of the Noor Ali Rashid Second Photography Award competition with Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, presenting awards to 18 student winners.

The contest seeks to recognise the talents of young student photographers and videographers and build on Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid's legacy by encouraging students to focus on visual bodies of work that capture the essence of the UAE.

About the competition

• 94 UAE universities participated.
• The contest is divided into two categories — still and video.Each category is further sub-divided into UAE leaders, the land, and the people.
• Participants in still photography had to submit a portfolio of 20 images, divided and representative of the three sub-categories.
• Participants in video photography submitted a compilation tape with a minimum of three clips, one in each sub-category.

The winners

The photography section

UAE land category:
First prize: Majid Mohammad Ebrahim Al Zarouni,
Dubai Women's College
Second and third prize: Abdul Aziz Ali, Sharjah Men's College

UAE people category:
First prize: Hussain Ali Al Numairi, Dubai Men's College
Second prize: Hamda Sultan Saif Salem, Zayed University, Dubai
Third prize: Amnah Abdullah Abulhoul, Zayed University, Dubai

UAE leaders category:
First prize: Sara Mohammad Kalantar, Zayed University, Dubai
Second prize: Hussain Ali Al Numairi, Dubai Men's College
Third prize: Sara Mohammad Kalantar, Zayed University, Dubai

UAE best portfolio category:
Majid Mohammad Ebrahim Al Zarouni, Dubai Men's College

The video awards:
First prize: Moath Bin Hafez and Munir Ebrahim, Dubai Men's College
Second prize: Faris Saleh Al Hadrami, Abu Dhabi Men's College
Third prize: Shahad Al Suwaidi and Eman Khamis, Sharjah Women's College and Reem Bin Ahmad, Zayed University

Students say:

"I participated in the land category; I took photos of places and buildings — old and modern — in Sharjah."
— Saqr Al Qasimi, marketing and management, American University of Sharjah

"I took photos for the UAE land and leaders categories. Photography could help me a lot in my major and career, since engineering involves art."
— Ousama Al Essa, engineering Sharjah Men's College

"I joined the UAE land category. I wanted to highlight people's lives and how they work hard to earn a living. I have participated in previous events like this and have won first place. This time I might not win because the competition is tougher, but it is good exposure for me."
— Shaima Hassan, graphic art, Sharjah Women's College

"I took pictures of city life, people working, gardens, land and landscape images. I am glad I participated because it will help me develop my talent."
— Eman Mohammad, graphic art, Sharjah Women's College

"I took pictures for the UAE leaders and UAE land categories. I took nice pictures of the camels in the desert. Last year I participated in this competition and I was on the honourable mentions list. This year I hope I will win. Actually I am planning on developing my talent and taking it up as a career."
— Majid Mohammad Ebrahim Al Zarouni, paramedics, Dubai Women's College

"I took pictures of UAE leaders and places in the UAE. I took a photo of a bridge on Shaikh Zayed Road, and a picture of the construction cranes representing the development of the UAE. I would like to develop my talent and open a photography business."
— Hussain Ali Al Numairi, e-business, Dubai Men's College