PHOTOGRAPHY HIPA Announces November Winners of Its Instagram Photo Contest

The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has concluded the November edition of the Instagram Photo Contest themed ‘My Cup of Coffee’. Five winners were announced for the competition which received submissions under the hashtag #HIPAContest_CoffeeCup. The contest winners hailed from; Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. November’s ‘People’s Choice Award’ winner will receive a brand new NIKON D7200 SLR, courtesy of Nikon Middle East & Africa.

HIPA Secretary General, His Excellency Ali bin Thalith said, “Coffee cups are amongst the most photographed subjects around the world. They not only bring people together but they inspire energy, drive, and just the right amount of ‘pick me up’ when we need it most. We enjoyed the plethora of submissions showing how they enjoy their ‘My cup of coffee’. The winning submissions were both inspiring and creative in equal measures. We encourage all of photography community to put their skills to the test and participate in future competitions.”

November’s winner of the ‘People’s Choice Award’ was Maizal @mmakdang from Indonesia and he said, “In the beginning the idea was conceptual; I designed and implemented it all in my old wooden kitchen in West Sumatra. I took the picture specifically for participating in the ‘My Cup of Coffee’ competition. I set the shutter speed to 20 seconds and poured the coffee as shown in the picture. This was not my first win, but winning one of the HIPA competitions is a dream of all photographers in Indonesia.”

The Saudi winner, Nahla Al Dulaijan @dar.navatart said, “I tried to draw a simple word or picture on the surface of coffee using chocolate foam, then I noticed the reflection of the lighting and the possibility of shadow forming on it. I liked the idea of the bell shade, where the image expresses attention and weakness in harmony with the taste of coffee and the strength of colours. I started photographing food and coordinated my passion for expressive photography years ago. I enjoy telling stories through my pictures and introducing usual things through unusual ways.”

I knew about the competition through the enthusiasm of the photographers I follow on Instagram, so I participated in it and was happy to qualify for the final stage and then win; especially since it is my first experience in Instagram competitions. I thank HIPA for its efforts to support amateur photographers like myself. These beautiful competitions give photographers confidence in their choices and vision. As an amateur photographer, this win motivates me to continue practicing, acquiring skill and studying this art more deeply."

Winners

Maizal, Indonesia (@mmakdang)

Photo Courtesy of HIPA

Nahla Mohammad Al Dulaijan, KSA (@dar.navatart)

Photo Courtesy of HIPA

Omar Mohammed Elbakary, Egypt (@omarelbakary)

Bekir Yesiltas, Turkey (@bekiryesiltas)

Photo Courtesy of HIPA

Nazım TETİK, Turkey (nazim_tetik)

Photo Courtesy of HIPA