Iranian photographers win top prizes at Qatari competition

TEHRAN,Dec.29 (MNA) – Three Iranian photographers have received first prize in different sections of the 11th Al Thani Awards for Photography Competition. Organized by the Al Thani Awards for Photography in conjunction with the Qatar Photographic Society, over 50 awards were given to participating photographers from Qatar, the Middle East and around the world during a ceremony held on December 14. Each year there is a general section in which participants can enter images on any theme including portraits, people, architecture, still life, and children. There is also a special theme each year that, for 2011, was ‘Emotions and Passion’. Ahmad Reyhan from Iran received the first prize for his color print “M. Like Mother” including FIAP (Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique) Gold medal and $1,500 cash prize at the Emotion Section, the competition website reported on December 14. Mohammad Golchin received the first prize for his “Classmates” in the General Section. The prize included FIAP Gold medal and $2,500 cash prize. The third Iranian winner was Afshin Azarian who got the first prize for his monochrome prints “Bridge” in the Emotion Section. His prize included FIAP Gold medal and $1,000 cash prize. The Grand Prix Award was given to Michael Schonberger from Germany for his “Man Bites Wolf”.