Hamdan International Photography Award, Dubai Safari Park frame Dubai’s natural wonders

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Abu Dhabi [UAE], September 20 (ANI/WAM): The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) and Dubai Safari Park have jointly announced the results of the various photography competitions aimed at opening new horizons for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts with an added bonus of being in close contact with a variety of predators, pets and rare animals. The series of competitions included three categories: “Portfolio” competition, whose entries were received on the award’s official website www.hipa.ae; the “Instagram” contest for individual photos, with the following three themes: My Favourite Animal, Just Birds, and Animals in Motion.

The third category was to submit short creative clips for the Instagram “Reels” platform. The competition prize valued at AED 45,000, distributed between cash prizes and shopping vouchers from the Al-Futtaim Group. The series won the admiration and interaction of the photography community and received thousands of entries. The strength of the photography community within the Asian continent was formidable, with four photographers from the Philippines, two from India and one photographer from Pakistan winning.

The Arab presence was represented by Syrian photographers Faten Al Saleh and Ghaith Bayazid, alongside Jordanian photographer Mohammed Naif Kassim. HIPA Secretary-General Ali bin Thalith expressed his satisfaction with the outstanding outcomes achieved through our strategic partnership with Dubai Safari Park. He elaborated, “This collaboration successfully highlighted the marvels of nature, diverse wildlife, and various animals, while also igniting the thrill of capturing breathtaking moments through the lens. It has heightened the audience’s anticipation for this remarkable experience.”

He further emphasised, “HIPA continues to play its role in spreading the culture of photography and amplify the role of art in connecting with the wonders of nature and wildlife. Diversifying the opportunities and competitiveness for our photographic talents was an enjoyable challenge that pushed their creativity to the delight of the viewers.” Director of the Department of Public Parks and Recreational Facilities in Dubai Municipality, Ahmed Al Zarooni said, “We appreciate the distinguished results achieved by the various photography competitions, which confirm the successful partnership between HIPA and Dubai Safari Park, and the keenness of both parties to support nature and wildlife photography enthusiasts, and provide them with the support to encourage continued excellence, creativity and achieving more successes. We are also pleased with the success of the competitions by highlighting the nature, environment, wildlife in Dubai through the lens of the creative participants, which highlights the unique and attractive tourist destinations in Dubai, and opens future opportunities for photography lovers to participate in the next editions of the award”. (ANI/WAM)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Capture every moment with Contour India Group Jaipur your one-stop destination for all photography needs says founder Laxman Singh Sisodia

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ATK New Delhi [India], September 11: Preserve your memories with perfection as the most talented and passionate artist is on roll to capture every moment of yours with perfection at par. Yes, Laxman Singh Sisodia is a true inspiration for many has a versatile career in photography and videography that makes him the man of the hour!

Laxman Singh Sisodia, a native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, made the brave decision to leave his well-paid corporate job and follow his passion for photography. Despite his successful career in the corporate sector, his creative side always took precedence over his other skills. He noticed a significant demand for photography services whether it’s for weddings, fashion shoots, commercial projects, or any other photography needs, the option of bringing in photographers from outside like Mumbai or Delhi was on hike in Jaipur. In response to these observations, he founded Contour India Group, a photography service provider offering comprehensive 365-degree photography services in Jaipur.

Since its inception, Contour India Group has cultivated strong relationships with national and international clients. Initially, the focus was on corporate shoots, but the business gradually expanded to cover a wide range of photography genres. From weddings and pre-weddings to portfolio shoots, e-commerce, fashion shows, property shoots, and jewelry shoots, the team at Contour India Group has successfully diversified its portfolio. Understanding the evolving needs of clients, Laxman Singh Sisodia, the founder, recognized the demand for a one-stop solution in the industry. To cater to this demand, he created a comprehensive portfolio of models, makeup artists, and locations, offering clients a wide range of choices tailored to their specific requirements. This holistic approach has contributed to the success and growth of Contour India Group, allowing clients to find all their photography needs met in one place. The remarkable work of Contour India Group has attracted prestigious clients across various industries. Laxman Singh Sisodia and his team have successfully undertaken exclusive property shoots for renowned establishments such as Shahpura Hotels, Ananta Hotels, Kutani Bagh, Rajvi Palace, Kings Abode, and more. They have also collaborated with esteemed jewelry brands like Tribe by Amrapali, Valere (Australia), Steinkult (Switzerland), and JKJ Jewellers for captivating jewelry shoots. In the world of fashion, Contour India Group has worked with notable labels including Pasha India, Yadaka, and Meerahini, showcasing their expertise in fashion photography. The impressive roster of clients reflects the trust and recognition the team has earned through their exceptional work.

Contour India Group strives to fulfil all the requirements of its clients, providing them with a seamless and hassle-free experience. Their commitment to being a one-stop destination for photography needs sets them apart in the industry. Congratulations to Contour India Group on their upcoming 9-year anniversary in September! It’s a remarkable milestone that showcases their dedication, expertise, and commitment to the field of photography. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Check out the breathtaking winning images from Nature inFocus Photography Awards 2023

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Winners are chosen in the categories of Animal Behaviour, Animal Portraits, Conservation Focus, Creative Nature Photography and Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat.

This year’s winners of the NatureinFocus Photography Awards were announced at the Nature inFocus Festival, held at the Jayamahal Palace in Bangalore, India. 

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From a heartwarming portrait of a Bonobo nurturing a mongoose pup, to a fierce battle for mating rights among male Nubian Ibexes in Israel’s Zin Desert, these images capture unique moments in natural history and address crucial conservation matters.

The winners were whittled down from a total of 24,000 submitted photographs from 1,500 photographers around the world. 

Below is a stunning collection of some of the winning and highly-commended images from the competition. 

Animal Behaviour winner: Shell I Eat You? by Sankhesh Dedhia

This stunning action shot captures a rarely-seen natural history moment, where the legendary Arrowhead of Ranthambhore fishes out an Indian Softshell Turtle from the lake for lunch. A tiger’s diet in the wild can be very varied as the felid can prey on pretty much everything on its turf, even a turtle, hence proved!

Animal Behaviour winner: A Love Like No Other by Afroj Sheikh

Caught in the crosshairs of a hungry leopard, the vulnerable mother and baby langur had little chance of survival. The hunt and the chase had led the predator and prey up a tree before the mother succumbed to the suffocating hold of the large cat. But in embracing death, the mother was able to save her offspring.

Animal Behaviour winner: A Sappy Alliance by Avinash PC

Symbiotic relationships are plenty in the natural world! But none as sappy and sugary as the mutualistic relationship between ants and aphids. Aphids are tiny, sap-sucking insects that are serious plant pests. They secrete a sugar-rich liquid called honeydew, a favourite food of ants! So much so that the ants protect these insects from other predators and even shepherd them to the healthiest parts of the plant to maintain a steady stream of sweet honeydew!

Conservation Focus winner: Cry Me a River by Hiren Pagi

The Australia Bushfire 2020 had devastating impacts on its wildlife. An estimated three billion animals were killed or displaced in the fires that season. The NGO ‘Vets For Compassion’ actively worked in the Mallacoota, Victoria region to find and rescue Koalas and other animals that were affected by the fires. They made their way past blockades, searching for animals in the most severely affected areas. In this photograph, veterinarian Chris Barton looks for survivors amidst a burned eucalyptus plantation.

Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat winner: The Things You Do for Love by Amit Eshel

Looks like the set for the next Mission Impossible, but for Nubian Ibexes, the high-altitude rocky terrains are home. The vulnerable ibex species is known for many things–large semi-circular horns, the ability to scale mountains with ease and the territorial fights that males engage in during the rutting season. Displays of dominance begin with showing off their impressive horns. If that doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to escalate by pushing and shoving the opponent and literally locking horns with them. Ibexes also stand on their hind legs as they get ready to strike.

Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat winner: Worlds Apart by Dileep SS

Think Dubai and the first thing that comes to mind is architectural marvels that make the sky seem at arm’s reach. The tall buildings may be Dubai’s trademark visuals, but another world coexists alongside the dazzle, where wildlife thrives in the desert. The image juxtaposes these two worlds—the towering skyscrapers and the endless sands—a gentle reminder to look beyond the concrete.

Creative Nature Photography winner: All That Glitters Are Spores by Anirban Dutta

The bristles are the brightly-coloured protective hairs of the Slug Moth larvae. The glitter-like effect is because of mushrooms releasing spores. When the photographer found the larvae positioned right next to the sporing mushrooms, he did not want to miss the opportunity to capture the dramatic frame, and dramatic it is!

Creative Nature Photography winner: Symmetry in Mimicry by Arkaprava Ghosh

Mimicry is the highest form of flattery, they say. But in the animal world, it is among the best defence mechanisms. Here, Line-forest Skimmers position themselves aptly on the perennial Phanera vahlii creeper to resemble an inflorescence. Notice how the dragonflies have raised their abdomens in unison? Fooling a predator never looked this intricate.

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Animal Portraits winner: The Bonobo and His Pet by Christian Ziegler

The last great ape to be described, the Bonobo, is one of our closest living relatives. Here, a wild Bonobo who caught a mongoose pup is looking after it like a pet. He later released the animal unharmed. This behaviour has only been recorded once before by Prof Barbara Fruth at this site.

Animal Portraits winner: Inspector Booby by Suliman Alatiqi

Brown boobys spend a significant portion of their lives in the open ocean. Their clumsy nature on land earned them their namesake, derived from the Spanish word bobo, which means stupid or daft. They are excellent foragers of the sea and plunge-dive to feed on anything from anchovies and sardines to squid and shrimp. The photographer watched this individual dipping its head underwater at short intervals and got in position to capture a close-up portrait of the bird from the perspective of its fated prey.

Young Photographer winner: Raiders of Hives by Pranav Mahendru

In the dense forests of Satpura, a pair of oriental honey buzzards raid a beehive. These raptors hunt for food in beehives and wasp nests but, unlike what their name suggests, they prefer bee and wasp larvae over actual honey.

Young Photographer winner: Slender in the Night by Arnav Deshpande

Like the spiders they are commonly confused with, opiliones too have eight legs – mostly long and thin in contrast to their bodies. They are living fossils, the original ‘Daddy Longlegs’, having remained unchanged for millions of years. On a rainy night, the young photographer spotted this opilione sheltering in a crevice, raindrops glistening on its limbs.

Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat special mention: The Land of Stripes by Amit Vyas

If the essence of Ranthambore could be captured in one frame, this would be it. Only once in a blue moon does the landscape become this misty at Ranthambore. And when a tiger chooses the opportune moment to show itself, it almost feels too good to be true. The historical architecture of the landscape, its species and the cerulean backdrop create an image that has magic written all over it. 

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Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat special mention: The Rarest of Them All by Sergey Gorshkov

One of the rarest cats in the world, the Amur leopard certainly makes you earn your sighting. The critically endangered felid faces several threats, including poaching for its fur. While suitable habitats are present across Russia and China, these leopards are threatened by the scarcity of prey animals. 

Animal Behaviour special mention: It’s a Cat-eat-cat World by Karthik Mohan Iyer

It takes a moment before you go, ‘Woah!’. Though tigers and leopards share the same prey base, they tend to be non-confrontational and mostly stay away from one another. But when threatened by competition, tigers can eliminate other predators in their territory, such as leopards. 

Animal Behaviour special mention: Lights Will Guide You Home by Merche Llobera

A pod of spinner dolphins dives back into the beautifully lit waters of the Pacific Ocean, creating this stunning scene of a cetacean avalanche. One of the dolphins can be seen gazing into the camera lens, adding a touch of curiosity and connection to the frame. 

Young Photographer special mention: Gecko’s Garage by Vidyun Hebbar

The Andaman day gecko or the green emerald gecko is a bright-coloured gecko endemic to the Andaman Islands. The young photographer was on vacation when he spotted this shy creature lurking inside a light shade.

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Hanle, Ladakh, is India’s first Dark Sky Reserve: How to get there from Leh

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If you’re ready for a spectacular peep into the universe, you may want to put Hanle in Ladakh on your list. The cluster of six hamlets—Bhok, Shado, Punguk, Khuldo, Naga & Tibetan Refugee habitations within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, has just been formally notified as the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve. Effectively, an expanse of 1,073km situated around the Indian Astronomical Observatory is now a sanctuary for darkness, where light is managed so that scientists and astronomy enthusiasts can access the night sky in its purest possible form. 

The orion rising over Hanle, Ladakh. Photo: Sabit Tisekar/Shot on OPPO

To weed out light pollution at India’s first Dark Sky Reserve, there will be several restrictions on use of light including placing curtains on windows and doors, restricting the use of artificial illumination indoors and on vehicles. For a place to qualify as a dark sky reserve, it has to be accessible for all or most part of the year–and it has to be accessible to the general public. 

Why Hanle?

Much before it became a Dark Sky Reserve, Hanle was picked by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics to set up an observatory. “There were various reasons why Hanle was chosen for an astronomical institute. The best reason is that it is very dry and very cold,” says Dorje Angchuk, engineer in-charge of the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle. “If there is any moisture, most of the light gets absorbed by the atmosphere, and very little light from the stars reaches us. Due to the dry atmosphere [at Hanle], the lights coming from far away sources are not attenuated,” says the scientist who has been in Hanle for 25 years. 

Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh. Photo: Sabit Tisekar/Shot on OPPO

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