As part of its efforts to further the art and science of photography, Gulf Photo Plus (GPP) organises an annual community photography exhibition that is open to enthusiasts in the UAE and around the world. The third edition of this exhibition, titled “RGB”, is celebrating the three-colour theory that is fundamental to photography and visual displays of all kinds through photographs with a focus on red, green and blue.
“People began experimenting with the idea of colour photography in the 1840s, but the first process to produce practical results was the three-colour method introduced by Scottish physicist James Maxwell in 1855. This three-colour method became the foundation for virtually all practical colour processes thereafter, whether chemical or digital,” Miranda McKee of GPP says.
“This year we wanted to celebrate colour photography in our annual community exhibition, so we asked participants to send us pictures that showcase red, green and blue, which create different colours when combined. We always choose a theme that is very open, and this theme is at the heart of how photography began, and how your television, phone, tablet and other gadgets work even today.
“We encouraged a broad interpretation of the theme by accepting images that included even one of the three colours, and allowed every participant to submit up to three images per colour with no restrictions on the subject or type of camera used. The response has been overwhelming. We received over 1,500 entries from across the globe, from which we selected 60 for the show.
“We have been actively involved in building the local photography community, and we connect with photography enthusiasts around the world through our various programmes throughout the year. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate their talent and to present their work to a wide audience.”
The participants include professional photographers as well as those who pursue it as a hobby. And their artworks range from abstract photography to landscapes, and from formal portraits to quirky street photography and still life compositions. The pictures offer a panorama of life in different places, covering everyday scenes on the streets and special occasions, such as festivals.
Dubai-based administration and human resources manager Sreeranj Sreedhar is happy to have his photographs of the Indian festival of colours, Holi, displayed in the show. “The riot of colours during Holi is something no photographer would want to miss. But I always wanted to photograph the traditional celebrations in Barsana and Nandgaon villages in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh because they are very authentic and special. I finally fulfilled this wish in March this year,” he says.
“In one of my pictures I have captured the movement of the people dancing in the narrow lanes of Barsana during the Lath Maar Holi celebration by using a slow shutter and focusing on the stationary drummer. In another picture, taken in a temple in Nandgaon, I focused on the people singing devotional songs at the end of the festival while others throw colour and water on them. For me photography is a hobby, but being in this show and getting the appreciation of a wider audience has motivated me to further hone my skills and take better pictures.”
Freelance photographer Ranu Jain found a similar riot of colours at the International Kite Festival in Dubai. “It was a bright, sunny morning and the kites from all over the world created a lovely mélange of colours on the Jumeirah beach. It was particularly interesting to see the excited children playing around the kites as if they were in some wonderland. The photograph came out just as I wanted, reflecting the colours and the mood of the moment, and they fit in beautifully with the theme of the show,” she says.
“It feels great to be recognised through this show, which is a good platform for photography enthusiasts to share their work with others, to be acknowledged for their creativity, and to interact with fellow photographers.”
Spyros Catramis played with the shadows on a brightly painted wall to create his interesting composition. The Athens-based lawyer works as a freelance photographer in his spare time and has won many awards for his work. “I saw the red wall and my shadow on the outline of the face painted on the wall and decided to take the picture. To me red symbolises life, vitality, energy, adventure and strong emotion,” he says.
“I usually try to avoid having my shadow in a picture, but here I wanted to use it as an element of composition to add the human factor and some mystery. I sent it to GPP because I love colours and colour photography and loved their theme. It is nice to know that others appreciate my work.”
“GPP is doing great work by promoting photography and photographers. I like and appreciate what they do and the standard of their members is quite high. Photography is a medium of communication, so in such an event photography enthusiasts have the opportunity not only to get inspired, but also to communicate with other people without the barriers of language and distance. A picture gets life when you share it with others, as it happens generally with all forms of art.”
Katarina Premfors, a Dubai-based professional photographer from Sweden is a regular participant in this annual event. “I love taking part in GPP projects and initiatives because being a photographer can be a lonely job and participating in such events makes me feel part of a community. GPP supports both professionals and amateurs, and the ‘RGB’ show is another brilliant initiative that brings everyone together,” she says.
“It is very important for enthusiasts who are getting into photography to see their work printed beautifully. This is something many people, including me, forget to do and we end up with many digital images. I feel proud to see my photographs displayed in this exhibition.”
Speaking about her picture of a group of workers in blue uniforms on bicycles, she says, “This image was taken near Dubai Dry Docks when the workers were leaving for their lunch break. There were a lot of people on their bicycles, and seeing me on a ladder in the middle of the street made them smile.”
Jyoti Kalsi is an arts enthusiast based in Dubai.
“RGB” will run at GPP, Al Quoz, until July 18.
