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A series of images that captured the 'henna night' of a Palestinian wedding or pictures of children joyfully playing on the streets of Egypt: these were the powerful moments celebrated for showing people's simple ways of happiness amidst the region's turbulent times.
Fatima Shbair, 20, from Gaza was among the four photographers who won the 7th edition of National Geographic Moments competition held under the theme 'Celebrations.' The four winners from Palestine and Egypt were selected from over 19,000 entries from across the Middle East and North Africa with two new categories of youth photography and photo documentary added this year.
Shbair, who wasn't present at the National Geographic exhibition in Dubai to celebrate her piece, won the newly-introduced photo documentary grand prix category. Through a series of five images, she shared moments of a bride on henna night, the most important night that takes place a day or two before the wedding. "The picture was a challenge to myself. I wanted to show that Gaza has talents and that we are able to celebrate despite the unrest we are experiencing," she told Khaleej Times over phone from Palestine.
The series of photographs captures celebrations as the bride prepares for the night, with henna, candles, song and dance - traditions of Palestine. Photography, Shbair said, was her channel to document people's lives on the streets. Her dream is to expand this mission outside Palestine and document different cultures from around the world. "I hope in the future, our condition gets better, and that I'll be able to capture different cultures with my lens."
As part of the competition reward, Shbair will go for an 11-day trip to Cuba to meet photography coaches and take master classes. She added: "The feeling of victory is great, and I can't wait to explore a new country."
Mohammed Mahdy from Egypt won the single image category in the competition held this year under the theme 'celebrations.' With his Fujifilm X-T1, he captured a photo titled Happiness of a young boy with a chick on his shoulder, while his brother is watching him from the window with a big smile.
Winners and their prizes > Single Image Grand Prix : Happiness by Mohamed Mahdy from Egypt. The prize is a $7,500 photography hamper courtesy of Nikon and 11-day all-expense-paid National Geographic photography Expedition Trip to Cuba > Photo documentary Grand Prix : Palestinian Wedding, Henna Night by Fatima Shbair from Gaza, Palestine > Youth Grand Prix Winner: Celebrating Their Little One by Barakat Khaled from Egypt. Won a $2,000 photography hamper, courtesy of Nikon > People's Choice Award: Life in Jabaliya Refugee Camp by Mahmoud Abu Salama from Gaza Palestine. Won a National Geographic Goodie Bag worth $500 |
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