March 4, 2012 – National Geographic Abu Dhabi (NGAD) witnessed an impressive response of 80,445 entries into its second Photomentaries photography contest. The month-long contest, open to the public throughout the Middle East, was launched on February 1, 2012 inviting viewers to use their photography skills to illustrate the competition’s theme, ‘Capture Life in Motion’. The contest is part of a month long photo fest encompassing a TV series that follows National Geographic photographers on their assignments and a series of photography seminars conducted by a National Geographic photographer in the UAE.
The winning entry (Grand Prize) will feature in National Geographic Al Arabiya Magazine and receive photography equipment worth $5,000. Runners up will get photography accessories worth $2,500 and $1,500 respectively, in addition to featuring the winning photographs on National Geographic Abu Dhabi TV.
“Photography is synonymous with the National Geographic brand and the phenomenal response to our photo competition reinforces it. We are glad to have been able to provide the region with an annual fest that not only gives them an opportunity to showcase their skills but also enables them to interact with National Geographic talent through our seminars and learn more about their assignments through our special TV episodes aired on our channel” said Rohit D’Silva, Senior Vice President and General Manager (Middle East and North Africa), National Geographic Abu Dhabi.
This is the second National Geographic Abu Dhabi photography contest in the Middle East, conducted under a theme focusing on how the world around us is in constant motion. The judging panel consists of George Steinmetz, a renowned international National Geographic Photographer who conducted photography seminars in Abu Dhabi and Dubai during February, and Mohamed Al Hammadi, the Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Al Arabiya Magazine.
The 80,445 entries will be evaluated by an expert panel from Gulf Photo Plus. The shortlisted entries will then be judged by the eminent jury comprising Steinmetz and Al Hammadi, who will pick up the 3 winning entries. The winners will be announced by mid April.
The TV series, ‘Photomentaries’, showcases the most challenging photography assignments undertaken by National Geographic photographers. It follows photographers on assignment to capture their stories for National Geographic magazine, pushing their physical abilities, emotional endurance and creative powers to the limit. Taking tens of thousands of pictures for a single story, these photographers brave extreme environmental conditions, grueling hours and dangerous political undercurrents to capture vivid, world-shaping images.
About National Geographic Abu Dhabi
Launched in July 2009, the free-to-air National Geographic Abu Dhabi invites viewers in the Middle East to re-think the way they see television – and the world – through smart, innovative programming in the Arabic language. Brought to the region by the Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) and National Geographic Channels International (NGCI), the channel is dedicated to understanding and protecting the world, with its worldwide reputation of producing credible and authentic content that fits different viewers’ interests. Its programming is smart, factual entertainment weighted in favour of popular science, technology, natural history, archaeology and natural mysteries. www.natgeotv.ae.
About Abu Dhabi Media
Abu Dhabi Media is a leading media organization in the Middle East, with businesses in free and pay television, radio, publishing, digital media, games, feature films, music, digital signage, outside broadcast/production and printing.
The company manages over 20 market-leading brands such as the TV channels Abu Dhabi Al Oula, Abu Dhabi Riyadiya/AD Sports; Emarat FM and Star FM radio stations; Al Ittihad and The National newspapers; Majid and Zahrat Al Khaleej magazines; the websites, anazahra.com and admcsport.com; and subsidiaries Image Nation, LIVE and United Printing Press. Abu Dhabi Media partners with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment on VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, and with National Geographic on National Geographic Abu Dhabi, the Arabic language television channel and National Geographic Al Arabiya magazine.
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