Look: Xposure International Photography Festival in Sharjah

Visitors look at the photographer Mogens Trolle's display during the sixth edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival. Handpicked 1,600 photos from top photographers were unveiled during the 'Xposure International Photography Festival' that began on Wednesday in Sharjah.

Sharjah entities on Wednesday announced at the opening of the ‘Xposure’ photo festival they will sponsor the schooling of a Syrian refugee boy seen in a viral photo reading a book while perched on a garbage bin. 10-year-old Hussein, who fled with his family from Syria to Lebanon, had to drop out of school and collect junk, scrap and plastic from garbage bins to support his family. On finding a book in the garbage one day, the young boy began to read. Architect Rodrigues Mghames captured Hussein’s moment with the book. The photo, titled ‘The Reader’, and shared on social media platforms, went viral in just a few hours and became a subject of discussion on essential Arabic and international media outlets. It depicted Hussein’s passion for reading despite the harsh reality of his circumstances. Above, Rodrigues Mghames (R) was honoured by Tariq Saeed Allay (L), Director-General of SGMB, during the opening ceremony of Xposure 2022.

Running until February 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah, the event brings together 70 world-renowned photographers, award-winning storytellers, and photojournalists whose works will be displayed through 45 exhibitions. Above, a visitor looks at the work of the photographer Biljana Jurukovski.

Prominent names at this year’s edition include, amongst others, Magnum member Steve McCurry, who captured the iconic ‘Afghan Girl’ portrait for National Geographic; American photographer James Nachtwey who documents wars and critical social issues and others. Above, visitors look at works by photographer Steve McCurry at the sixth edition of Xposure International Photography Festival.

Held in partnership with the International League of Conservation Photographers, the summit will bring together environmental activists, passionate explorers, photographers, and changemakers from around the world to lead nine insightful panel discussions on lasting solutions and everyday acts to protect the environment, organisers said. Above, works of photographer Tariq Zaidi.

Organised by Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure 2022 will also feature 28 talks, workshops, portfolio reviews, and Above, Photographer Vineet Vohra's works display.

The exceptional talents and extraordinary images of photographers worldwide are celebrated in Sharjah each year through the Xposure Photography and Film Awards.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Muhammed Muheisen who is known for his photographs covering the refugee crisis around the world, including Afghans in Pakistan and Syrians in Jordan who have been displaced because of the conflicts in their respective countries.

This year, the award received as many as 14,998 entries from 126 countries, including Switzerland, Greece, Canada, Germany, Finland, Italy, and Chile. Representing a 58 per cent increase over five years, the highest number of submissions this year came from China, India, Iran, Russia, Egypt, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the UAE.

Entries were evaluated by 21 renowned photographers in the categories of: Portraiture, Architectural Photography, Drone Photography, Short Film and Moving Image, Junior Category, Travel Photography, Landscape Photography, Wildlife Photography, Photojournalism, and an exclusive category for Sharjah Government Employees.

Visitor looks at work by photographer Andrew Prokos.

The public is invited to step into the fascinating worlds of visionary photographers who will share their unique perspectives and experiences at Xposure this year.

Visitors go through camera accessories at the iBrandConnect stand at the sixth edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival. Meanwhile, budding shutterbugs of all age groups will be inspired to take forward their photographic goals through the 28 inspirational talks hosted at Xposure by renowned international photographers who will share their understanding of the world and the influences that have shaped their extraordinary journeys.