Xposure brings together cream of inspiring moments in Sharjah

Sharjah - The event is being organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) under the theme 'Inspiring Moments'.

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme council and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the third edition of Xposure International Photography Festival on Wednesday at the Sharjah Expo Centre.
Opening of the event that will continue till Saturday was attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and other government officials. It is being organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) under the theme 'Inspiring Moments'.
Over 90 celebrated photographers from all seven continents have brought the cream of their works, and hundreds of them are on display at the 34 galleries in the exhibition space.
Dr Sheikh Sultan met several participating photographers and congratulated them for their brilliant contributions to the field. The Sharjah Ruler also visited the photographic trade shows by leading brands and exhibitions by acclaimed professional institutions.
At the opening ceremony, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council (SMC), reiterated the importance of images in communicating messages in a language that the world understands, and their capacity to show the truth, disseminate knowledge, give birth to new friendships and bring peace.
"Photographs communicate critical messages and stimulate human conscience. They have a way of entering our consciousness, our hearts and minds effortlessly," he added.
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi showed the audience photojournalist Mustafa Hassona's recent picture of a bare-chested Palestinian holding a large flag and wielding a sling over his head in Gaza, shot amid protests on a beach close to the border.
"What emotions did the picture evoke? How did it reach so many people? Why has it gone viral? The whole world is talking about it! The photo crystalises the Palestinian cause in one, hair-raising moment. It brings before our eyes the hardships and struggles that Palestinians in Gaza have been facing for decades."
He called photographers 'truth makers', and applauded their unfailing dedication as 'transmitters of information, knowledge and beauty', given their paramount role in documenting the past and present, and serving humanity, history and future. He called on them to ensure that their photographs always represent truth.
'I wasn't taking enough pictures of my life'
Veteran American photojournalist David Burnett made an appearance at the opening ceremony of Xposure International Photography Festival in Sharjah on Wednesday and took the audience by surprise with a presentation of beautiful family photos of his wife and daughter.
The award-winning photographer, who has spent over 50 years documenting revolutions, wildlife and breaking news, said: "I wasn't taking enough pictures of my own life; little moments that life is really about. If there is one thing I can perhaps try to share with you, is the photos from my life that will hopefully help you remember to capture the precious moments of your own life. I can tell you in 20 or 30 years from now, somebody in this room is going to say - boy Burnett was really right; I'm glad I took these pictures and have them now.
"The big breaking news will always be there, and we should be around to cover them, but always remember to cover things in your own life," Burnett said to the audience.
To conclude his heartfelt presentation, he said: "I want to thank Sheikh Sultan for bringing us together. When you are a professional photographer going from story to story, it can be a very lonely occupation. A time like this, when we are able to come together and share stories and pictures, is truly enriching for us photographers. It's wonderful to see so many people here with a common passion. Photography really is about memory. It guides us in our process of relating from generation to generation, and gives us a window into a time before we were even alive."
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Sharjah