Dubai
People watching: It’s probably the single most common thing people do when they’re bored, waiting for an appointment or standing in a queue.
The human body is a powerful communication tool, and knowingly or unknowingly, it is easy to form opinions of people based on what they’re wearing and how they’re behaving.
According to a study by US-based magazine, Psychology Today, one of the most important judgments we make about others, based on their appearance, is their emotional state. It is possible to infer if someone is happy, excited, angry or sad by their stance, their way of walking, and the use of their hands.
But what if you want to express how someone feels, in a still photograph? What does it say about who they are and where they are from?
Robert Caputo, a veteran photographer and author of ‘Photography Field Guide: People & Portraits’, writes: “Portraits of people from other cultures have to do double duty — they have to be honest about the exotic nature of the people while conveying our common humanity.”
We asked Gulf News’ Instagram followers to pick their favourite reader photograph of the month of December. 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
Danish Naduthodi is an accountant, based in Dubai.
His winning photograph is part of a picture essay on the Shaikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi, and captures an elderly Emirati man swaying to the music of the ‘ayala’. Generally known as the ‘stick dance’, this traditional folk dance is accompanied by drumming and performed by two rows of dancers facing one another. Naduthodi said: ‘I was taking pictures of the men dancing when I noticed an elderly man dancing in a corner, alone. It was very nice to see his steps and expression. He was really enjoying the moment.’
His picture received 1,949 votes in our poll on Instagram, landing him in first place.
SECOND PLACE
Dilna Avinash is based in Dubai.
On a visit to the goat market in Nizwa, Oman, she clicked this photograph. She said: ‘It’s very interesting to see Omanis maintaining and following their traditions. The goat auction takes place every Friday, and within hours, the best buy is completed. The goats and their sellers walk in a circle, surrounded by potential buyers. If a buyer sees a goat he likes, he inspects it. If satisfied, he and the seller would bargain for the price of the goat. The atmosphere was noisy and things happened at a hectic pace.’
Her picture received 1,650 votes in our poll on Instagram.
THIRD PLACE
Gaanesh Prasad is a project director, based in Dubai.
The timing of his winning photograph was perfect. He took this picture along 2nd December Street in Satwa, Dubai, and said: ‘Here, various artworks or paintings have been done on walls. This particular painting caught my attention and I wanted to frame a person in the wheel. After a short wait, I couldn’t miss clicking at the right moment.’
His picture received 1,445 votes in our poll on Instagram.
