Some would believe a camera is an ideal tool to capture and remember celebrations for good. Gulf News readers tried to prove that with their shots in the month of December.
Whether it was about participating in the UAE National Day celebrations or simply rejoicing due to the dip in temperature, the newspaper received images of people enjoying the outdoors.
Featured reader photographers of the month
Three readers who were prepared to photograph the celebrations in the air have been selected as the featured photographers of the month by K. P. Devadasan, Picture Editor.
He said: “Overall, we received some good pictures from our readers but the winning images stood out due to the display of celebrations.” The criteria for selection are composition, perspective, clarity, framing, contrast and light.
Today, Gulf News recognises and honours those determined readers who are willing to go out of their way to capture the perfect shot.
Gallery
The winning readers are asked to send in their best photographs, which are then displayed in a gallery on gulfnews.com.
David Butcher, one of the featured photographers of the month, said: “I thank Gulf News for the opportunity and was surprised to have been selected. I hope that I will find the time to contribute more regularly to the readers’ pictures column in Gulf News in the future.”
David Butcher
Picture published on December 4
Profile:
David Butcher got his first camera as a gift from his grandfather when he was seven. Today, 47 years later, he still has the camera in its original leather case.
He said: “That is what initiated my love and enthusiasm for photography. But, I clearly remember being so frustrated with it. It had a fixed lens and was useless for capturing shots of wildlife in the game parks [in Kenya] that we visited frequently.”
According to Butcher, the camera could only capture black and white images and getting the film processed was very expensive.
As a 14-year-old, Butcher purchased his first camera after having saved money from delivering newspapers every morning.
He said: “I wanted to leave school and follow my dream of becoming a photographer. But my grandfather, who is a mechanical engineer and my father who is a civil engineer did not regard photography as a ‘career’.”
However, luck was on his side. After graduating he got a job in broadcasting and was soon taking pictures at a professional level.
He said: “The first time I visited Dubai was in 2008 and I loved that there were numerous opportunities to capture exotic photographs around every corner!”
Butcher, an active gulfnews.com reader, is currently based in Germany and visits the UAE often. He is moving to the UAE within the next two months.
Reason for winning:
K. P. Devadasan, Picture Editor said: “The picture has a good exposure and composition. The reader captured a good shot of the fireworks displayed during the UAE National Day celebrations with Burj Khalifa in the background.”
Naila Shirazee
Picture published on December 4
Profile:
During her four years at university, Naila Shirazee developed a passion for photography. She relocated several times in pursuit of the perfect degree, but ended up doing what she loved most – taking pictures.
She said: “I was born in Kenya, but am of Indian origin. I attended high school in Paris, France and university in Pennsylvania, US. I even did a short course in filmmaking in New York. But, the love for photography pulled me back into the world of still images.”
She then went ahead to earn a degree in documentary photography in New York.
Reason for winning:
K. P. Devadasan, Picture Editor said: “The picture shows children from different countries taking part in the celebration of the UAE National day. The reader captured this moment of celebration. There are fine details with good colour in this picture.”
Allan Polina
Picture published on December 7
Profile: Photography became a hobby for Allan Polina when he bought his first digital camera in July, 2008.
He said: “I learned the basics of photography by reading books, articles, web tutorials, visiting web forums, participating in workshops and practical experience.”
He is a part of a photography club in Abu Dhabi.
He said: “It helped me improve my photography skills. With some dedication and inspiration, I was able to develop my passion from just a hobby to serious photography.”
As a regular traveller, Polina focuses a lot on landscape, lifestyle and street photography.
He said: “As an engineer, cityscapes and architecture fascinates me. But, as a family man, taking portraits of my loved ones are always a favourite.”
Reason for winning:
K. P. Devadasan, Picture Editor said: “This one is a nice silhouette picture with a colourful sky in the background. You can see a person having fun at a park.”
