Dubai
If you are a photography enthusiast, chances are, your family members are some of your most frequent subjects – whether they are willing to be, or not.
According to veteran photographer Robert Caputo’s book, Photography Field Guide: People and Portraits, whether photographers are looking for momentous occasions or the occasional moments, family members are the best people to practice on.
He wrote: “When you are photographing strangers, you either get the picture or you don’t. There is no going back to a fleeting moment. With your family, you can work on getting a similar moment again, and again, and again.”
Our March Facebook Picture Competition had many reader photographers looking to their children, to capture the March theme: ‘Element of surprise’.
An added advantage of knowing your subject well, is the ability to anticipate their behaviour. Many reader photographers captured the exact moment of shock or surprise on their children’s faces.
The photography competition was opened up to our Facebook readers, and they selected the top four winners, by liking the picture that they found best captured the theme. Here, we present the winners.
Editor’s note: If you would like to participate, log on to Gulf News’ Facebook page and send in your submission for April’s Facebook Reader Picture Competition.
First Place
Gulf News reader Danish Naduthodi captured the delight on his niece Fatima’s face. He said: ‘She was surprised when I gave her a Barbie doll.’
His picture won first place, with 514 votes on Facebook, and 49 shares.
Second Place
In Gulf News reader Mamata Mohapatra’s photograph, taken in Bur Dubai, a surprising moment is on display. Facebook reader Shuvendra K. Mohanty commented on the image on Gulf News’ Facebook page and said: ‘Is this perfectly timed? Or did the pigeon fly by while the photo was being captured? Photographs like these are hard to frame.’
Mohapatra’s picture received 404 likes and 30 shares.
Third Place
Gulf News reader Megna Rajagopal said: ‘It is always a surprise, to see a smile in the sky. It sure does feel good, too! I clicked this photograph while I was out boating in Fujairah, and noticed paragliders up in the sky.’
Her picture received 372 likes and four shares.
Fourth Place
Gulf News reader Lasitha Mohan said: ‘In this picture, I used my husband’s DSLR camera. It was an unexpected reaction from my son Gautham.’
Her photograph received 141 likes and five shares.
