This category remains a favourite among photographers who have an outstanding eye for photography that doesn’t necessarily fall into any of the other categories on offer. Year after year, this category has gained quality and diversity, with a constant share of about a third of all entries registered in HIPA.

HIPA continues to offer participants two opportunities to participate in this category by once again dividing it into two subcategories: one for black and white entries, to give deserved substance to this classic art form, and the other for coloured entries, giving participants the option to dazzle the jury and viewers with their vibrant compositions.

Winners of 'General - Black & White' Category

1st Place - Duelling with Nature by Mahdi Pourebadi, Iran

In the peaks of the Binalud Mountains in Iran, a lonely tree stands tall in an otherwise isolated and cold environment. Mahdi Pourebadi explained that he was hiking in the mountain when he saw the this tree, standing alone. He immediately had a visual image in his mind of this solitary tree during the winter. So he came back. But the weather was not right, so he was sitting in the small creek trying to not disturb the snow and waited hours and hours until the weather cleared and he was able to take the shot. During those hours he felt connected to the tree, standing alone just like him. It was quite a meditative experience for him. The dreamy background was achieved with a long exposure and the end result is an image of fantasy and dreams.

image Mahdi Pourebadi / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

image Duelling with Nature by Mahdi Pourebadi, Iran / Courtesy of HIPA

2nd Place - A Master at Work by Quanhui Liu, China

An 80 year old retired carpenter shows off his skills at making bamboo baskets in Yongxin County, Jiangxi Province, China. Quanhui Liu explained that his father was a carpenter so he knew this trade from an early age. The old man on the photograph is actually his neighbour, one of rare people who is the master of this skill. The carpenter is creating handmade bamboo baskets and the process itself is visually quite inspiring. The photographer wanted to bring the awareness to this craftsmanship, to document it for the posterity.

image Quanhui Liu / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

image A Master at Work by Quanhui Liu, China / Courtesy of HIPA

3rd Place - A White-Tailed Hunter by Yousife Thyab, Kuwait

The White-tailed Sea-eagle of Poland is seen through his wings while in mid-flight. The composition of this photograph is quite unique and not seen often. To freeze the moment and create almost an abstract image with such depth is a challenge for many photographers.

image A White-Tailed Hunter by Yousife Thyab, Kuwait / Courtesy of HIPA

Winners of 'General - Colour' Category

1st Place - The Dream Express by Zuhe Ding, China

Passengers slump in their seats to try and catch some rest on a long train journey in rural China. Among the travellers is a monk, seen sitting cross-legged with his eyes shut; a shot of poise and serenity. Zuhe Ding told us that he was travelling often in this train which is mainly for middle class and poor people. A moment, so peaceful, with children sleeping and monk meditating, compelled him to take this shot. He also explained that two children in front are actually his children. Without intention he included his family in this shot.

image Zuhe Ding / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

image The Dream Express by Zuhe Ding, China / Courtesy of HIPA

2nd Place - A Tired Memory by Jasem Khlef, Canada

An elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease stares blankly at the camera during a pre-Christmas party in Ottawa, Canada. Jasem Khlef explained that woman on the photograph seemed as if she was in her own world, away from everybody. She appeared so lonely, with a blank stare, that he was compelled to take a shot.

image Jasem Khlef / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

image A Tired Memory by Jasem Khlef, Canada / Courtesy of HIPA

3rd Place - Goat Herder at Mount Mikeno by Michael Christopher Brown, United States of America

A young goat herder tends to his goats in the foreground of Mount Mikeno; a volcano located in the Virunga Mountains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This photograph touches upon many aspects, from child labour, to hardship of many children across the globe. The boy of his age should be spending his life playing and going to school, not tending to his goats. On the other hand we see dignity and pride in such posture of the boy, it makes us feel his needs. The look in his eyes reveals everything.

image Goat Herder at Mount Mikeno by Michael Christopher Brown, United States of America / Courtesy of HIPA


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