National Geographic’s Moments Awards
Each year, National Geographic Abu Dhabi launches its photo ‘Moments Awards’ contest. In keeping with the Moments theme, this year's competition focused on a specific aspect of the region's culture and lifestyle, attempting to capture the essence of food, from purchasing produce in the local markets to cooking and eating. This theme was a direct manifestation of ‘Stories from our World’, which the channel has made as its core mission in the region.
The overall standard of this year's submissions is said to have witnessed a very high level of artistry and creativity, with very competitive entries, taking this edition one step further than the previous ones. Simultaneously, this year's entrants were also encouraged to submit their best compositions, not only shot through both traditional and innovative aspects of photography, but through mobile photography as well, for the first time.
This year's Moments Awards have kept the essence each edition has exhibited since the initiative's inception, which seeks to bring out the more intimate, warm and emotional fibre of the region's traditions and culture, through the lens of budding artists.
Winners of the 6th edition of National Geographic Abu were announced in partnership with Almarai for the fourth year running. First prize went to the Moroccan
Mohamed Benmokhtar, for his entry depicting a newly wedded young woman, from Zagora in South Morocco, making a traditional couscous for the first time for her husband's family to prove her cooking skills... His dramatic composition capturing the essence of the moment swept him to the top, with a prize including a trip to Japan, as well as photographic equipment worth US Dollars 7,500. Second place went to Mohamed
Albadaai from Oman, for his depiction of the making of 'maqadid', a traditional meat delicacy, made by artisans in the Dhofar region. His prize includes photographic equipment worth US Dollars 5,000.
In third place, Mohamad Nasr from Egypt entered an uplifting moment in the life of a rural peasant woman, processing corncobs in a time immemorial tradition. His prize will consist of photographic equipment worth US Dollars 2,500.