Muscat – Two talented photographers – Ali al Ghafri and Turki al Junaibi – secured the first and second places, respectively, at the Waqf and Picture International Competition held in Qatar on September 21.

This prestigious event, organised by the Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs, had attracted 694 photographers from 49 countries, including Egypt, Jordan, UAE, and India.

Both Ali and Turki have previously bagged numerous international awards, further underscoring their exceptional talent and dedication to their craft.

In an interview with Muscat Daily, Ghafri, who claimed the top honor in the category ‘Reflections on the Creativity of the Creator’, emphasised the prestige of the competition and the pride he felt representing Oman on such a prominent stage.

“This accomplishment not only highlights the photographer’s skills but also reflects the rich artistic heritage of Oman on a global stage. Such achievements inspire aspiring photographers in the region and contribute to cultural dialogue through visual storytelling,” he said.

Ghafri’s winning photograph, titled ‘Al Nakhl Al Baseqat’ (depicting the foliage of lofty palm trees), beautifully captures the essence of the authentic Omani palm tree.

Reflecting on his journey, Ghafri said he set out to pursue photography a career in 2011, focusing on highlighting Oman’s stunning natural landscapes and rich heritage.

Omani photographers need better exposure by participating in a lot of local competitions and events to showcase their talents. Also, there needs to be more competition between Omani photographers to promote Oman as a tourist and economic destination because Omani photographers alone would know how best to project the sultanate to the world.

“For a photographer, winning contests is not just about the prestige but about getting recognised for creativity by experts as well as peers.

Gaining global attention is a validation, not only of one’s hard work but also of one’s dedication and efforts in honing photographic creative skills.

Junaibi, who bagged the second place with his captivating image ‘Tree of Nature’, also emphasised the importance of hard work and perseverance in the field of photography. His photograph, taken with a drone on Masirah Island, reflects the beauty of Oman’s diverse environments.

Junaibi, who has been active in photography since 2016 and joined the Photographic Society of Oman in 2018, is committed towards promoting domestic tourism through his art.

Discussing the challenges photographers face, Junaibi stressed the importance of finding ways to stand out in a crowd. He noted, that networking and joining photography groups can be invaluable for gaining feedback, exchanging ideas, and sharing techniques.

More than technical skills, Junaibi believes that discovering and propagating one’s unique style is crucial for artistic growth. He also said that their recent recognition serves as powerful motivation on their creative journey.

“We take immense pride in representing the Sultanate of Oman on such prestigious international platforms,” Junaibi said. “Achieving first place in a competition featuring some of the world’s best photographers is no small feat, it does inspire us to push our artistic boundaries even further.”

Both photographers highlighted the need for more local competitions and events to nurture and showcase Omani talent, believing that such initiatives could further elevate Oman as a tourist destination. Their own success also serves to promote Oman’s rich culture globally, they pointed out.