Through the Lenses of HIPA Winners
Photography is the most immediate of artistic mediums and one practiced by more people than any other.
The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is a globally recognized initiative that encourages and disseminates the culture of photography across the world.
HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the award in March 2011 and continues to be its active patron. Now in its tenth edition, the award is an expression of Dubai’s commitment to supporting creative innovation in all forms and to establishing connections across communities.
The award is open to amateur and professional photographers alike, who may define themselves in the fields of fine art, commercial, documentary photography or photojournalism.
Each year begins with an open call for entries that are submitted online, responding to specific themes. Winners are announced and granted substantial financial prizes and exposure.
The award is always evolving to respond to developments in the field of photography and global preoccupations and priorities.
Key themes act as inspirational ideas for budding photographers to expand their practice, such as ‘Beauty of Light’ in 2012-13, ‘Life in Colour’ in 2014-15, ‘The Challenge’ in 2016-17 and simply ‘Water’ in 2018-19.
Perhaps the most evocative is the current theme of ‘Humanity’ – asking photographers to respond to what is at the base of our very existence and to create a photograph which encapsulates what it means to be human.
As well are the main theme each year, there are secondary categories photographers can submit entries for. There is always a General category separated into Black and White and Color and since 2016 a Portfolio or story-telling section, which calls for between 5-10 images creating a coherent narrative.
Focus areas which have been brought in for individual editions include a Digital Manipulation award, Time-lapse video submissions, Aerial and Mobile photography. The newest category is for Architectural photography.
Since 2014 there have been special awards granted by HIPA which acknowledge the valuable work put in by supporting staff in the photography industry such as researchers, editors, publishers, bloggers, print and digital content creators and promoters. These can be awarded to individuals, groups or whole teams.
In addition to their annual award, HIPA frequently have contests on their Instagram page asking followers to respond to themes such as Shadows, Ramadan, National day or Underwater. Alongside the award, HIPA have developed the Dubai Photo Forum as an educational initiative to bring a community of photographers together for a discussion forum which provides both practical advice on how to create a living through photography and gives inspiration from leaders in the field.
HIPA regularly organises free lectures for photographers with partner camera brands, offers photography workshops to government employees and collaborates with partner organisations to raise the profile of photography both in the region and across the world.
A photograph can tell a thousand words and is often understood as being the most credible witness to truth. A constantly evolving medium that thrives as technology advances, with the support of important initiatives such as HIPA, photography can bring societies together and make us appreciate the world we live in.
