Muscat – Omani photographer Turki bin Ibrahim al Junaibi has won the Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) for January 2022. Founded in 2011 under the patronage of the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum, the total annual prize money of US$400,000 is the largest monetary prize among photography awards.

Junaibi won the award last month in a competition themed ‘Eyes’ in which over 1,000 photographers from around the world participated.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Junaibi said, “Out of a thousand photographers, 36 were selected, and further whittled down to the five best who were declared winners.”
Each photographer was allowed one submission.

Junaibi’s submission, titled ‘Girl with green Eyes’, was shot in Masirah Island focusing on the emerald green eyes of a little Omani girl in a headscarf.

Junaibi described the competition as one of the most important photography competitions in the world that attracts the best shutterbugs. “I am very proud with this win and to raise the profile of my country.”

He is keen to promote domestic tourism and showcase Oman’s beauty and diversity to the world through his photographs. “I love photographing nature and portraits.”

Junaibi is keen to continue showcasing Oman’s natural beauty in photographs. He is currently working on a solo exhibition of his photographs that fetched him awards.