Image via National Geographic
In collaboration with Saudi dairy brand, Almarai, National Geographic Abu Dhabi has announced some shortlisted entries for the 2020 edition of “Moments,” its annual photography competition for which this Saudi female entrant has made the list!
Out of over 27,000 entries for the competition, only 10 images were selected for the shortlist by the judging panel. The judges include two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and National Geographic photographer Mohammad Muheisen and Chief Marketing Officer of Almarai, Hussam Abdulqader.
The competition had an apt theme for the past year and called for entrants to capture moments that inspired them in moments with loved ones as people took to isolating, staying home and connecting with those closest to them when the COVID-19 pandemic affected the world. Entitled, “2020 Moments: A Year Lived Differently,” the competition saw a submission by 22-year-old, Afrah Al Harby from Madinah, who captured an image of her 10-year-old sister drawing.
Discovering her talent for photography three years ago, Al Harby took the image of her younger sister during quarantine, who had discovered her own passion for drawing in that time, and sent her submission across. When she discovered that she had been shortlisted for the prize, she told Arab News that she had felt proud and that “it was a unique moment.” She said as she also thanked her brother for encouraging her to enter the competition, “I was not expecting I would be selected among the 10 participants shortlisted, but that is all thanks to my older brother, Mohammed, who saw a talent in me and insisted that I participate in this competition.”
Afrah hasn’t been the only Saudi person to be shortlisted for the prize. Hussein Ali, who captured an image of a family member taking a class online also made the cut. “Moments” is one of the largest photography competitions across the Middle East and North Africa, and will be announcing the winner soon. The winning entry will receive $10,000 worth of professional photography equipment and will have their picture published in National Geographic Al Arabiya Magazine.
