Dubai Internet City (DIC), along with its partners Canon Middle East and Abu Dhabi University (Dubai Campus), hosted an exclusive photography workshop on Saturday, September 16.
The workshop marked the conclusion of the #clickUAE photo contest organised by Dubai Internet City, Canon Middle East and Abu Dhabi University, which saw the participation of residents from across the UAE who captured and submitted photos showcasing the beauty and diversity of the UAE. A panel of expert judges then selected the top 30 submissions, extending invitations to those participants for the workshop.
The popular contest received over 330 submissions from more than 70 diverse participants, including professional photographers, local influencers, students and amateur hobbyists. Some of the most frequently featured subjects were the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, structures that have become synonymous with the very identity of the nation.
Ammar Al Malik, Executive Director of Dubai Internet City, commented on the community spirit surrounding the successful competition: “Initiatives such as the #clickUAE photo contest serve to remind us of the creative talent we have in the UAE as well as the great potential for public-private partnerships with key industry and education leaders which we can unlock within our communities. Such efforts serve to build and enhance our community spirit within Dubai Internet City and beyond, and I look forward to many more successful events that celebrate and showcase creative and innovative achievements.”
“We can all be living in the same city, but see it from completely different perspectives. This is what we wanted participants to capture about Dubai and this is exactly what came through – a very inspiring and innovative outlook of a city that is leading us into the future yet has a very deep heritage and a complementary interweave of cultures. As photography approaches 200 years, this art form has been a passionate driving force for Canon for the past 80 years to develop imaging products that capture the undeniable power of an image. With all the communication technologies that are evolving around us today, photography has retained its essence as one of the most powerful ways to communicate, and Canon is privileged to inspire people to express themselves and explore their creativity,” added Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director of Canon Middle East.
The workshop was led by leading self-taught Dubai based photographer Nicholas Tohme, who initially started his career as a DJ and music producer. With over 20 years of experience in the music industry, Tohme turned to visual arts in 2015, to deal with the after-effects of a life-altering personal experience. With his impressive portfolio spanning various fields of interest, Tohme’s workshop provided a great opportunity for participants to gain insight into the art of photography and impactful visual expression.
Commenting on the importance of the competition in honing the skills of aspiring young photographers, Dr. Ibrahim Al Sidawi, Director of Abu Dhabi University’s Dubai campus, said: “Abu Dhabi University is proud to support the #clickUAE photo contest which inspired participants to utilize their unique talents in showcasing the beauty of the UAE in such types of events, reaffirms our commitment to empowering the talent of our nation’s youths across various fields. Photography has become an integral part of the daily lives of younger generations in the UAE, and we are pleased to help them realize their dreams and master their talent. It has been an absolute pleasure to take part in this initiative and host the photography workshop for the contest winners on our newly opened Dubai Campus.”