PHOTO CONTEST ‘Seize the Sky’ Winners Announced by HIPA

Filipino photographer Dexter Bacani has been crowned the winner of the 2015 edition of the ‘Seize the Sky’ photo contest held by the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA). Bacani takes home USD $7000 for his first placed photograph which was taken during the 5th Dubai International Parachuting Championship held at Sky Dive Dubai. The second placed prize was awarded to Ahmed Al Asiri from Saudi Arabia, who received USD $6000. In 3rd place was Emirati photographer Ola Allouz who won USD $5000 for her photograph. 4th and 5th placed winners were also awarded to Don Ferdinand Santiago Tabbun (Philippines) and Yousef Al Zaabi (UAE) who received USD $4000 and $3000 respectively.

Commenting on the conclusion of the ‘Seize the Sky’ photo contest, the Secretary General of HIPA, Ali bin Thalith said "HIPA’s third participation at the Dubai International Parachuting Championship with the ‘Seize the Sky’ photo contest has been a resounding success. Submissions for the contest were of a very high standard and pitted some of the most talented local and international photographers in this tremendous event." Bin Thalith also pointed out that "Seize the Sky has slowly become one of the main attractions at the Dubai International Parachuting Championship, with many photographers attending the event just to take part in the photo contest. This demonstrates the impact that contests such as ‘Seize the Sky’ have in developing local and international photographers alike, which is one of HIPA’s biggest strategic goals."

Winners of 'Seize the Sky' Photo Contest

1th Place - DEXTER BACANI

Image courtesy of HIPA

2nd Place - AHMED AL ASIRI

Image courtesy of HIPA

3rd Place - OLA ALLOUZ

Image courtesy of HIPA

4th Place - DON FERDINAND TABBUN

Image courtesy of HIPA

5th Place - YOUSEF AL ZAABI

Image courtesy of HIPA

Currently in its fourth season of competition (Life in Colour), the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award was founded in 2011 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. With a grand prize of $120,000 and an overall prize pool of $400,000 the competition; submissions can be submitted through the official website before Midnight of December 31, 2014 (UAE Standard).