Tasweer Single Image Award 2024
For the fourth cycle of the Tasweer Single Image Awards, Tasweer invited Khalifa Al Obaidly (Photographer, Educator and Director of Artists in Residence & Tasweer Photo Festival); Khalid Ismail (Photographer); Manjri Saxena (Freelance Photographer) and Alwaleed Khaled (Photographer) to select the 2024 awardees.
Tasweer congratulates Ahmed Abdulaziz Alabbadi, Adel Al Haimi, Mustafa Shorbaji, Mohamed Abdalla Medo, Waad Saber, Mustafa Turky, Bashar Shglila, Mortada Emad, Ahmed Shaaban Elimi, Muthanna Ba Dhares, Haitham Imad Nuraldeen, Ahmed Hussein Masoud, Ali Mahmoud Abdelwahab Gad, Tarek Elmagrbe, Eslam Ahmed Hamed, Neşe Arı, Salem Sultan Alhajri, Mohamed Nasr, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan and Ahmed Emad.
Ahmed Abdulaziz Alabbadi: Memories For Sale (Yemen)
Ahmed Abdulaziz Alabbadi is a visual artist born and based in Aden. His exploration of conceptual photography began as he found it to be the most fitting way to tell stories, capture emotions, and address issues that resonate with him. Ahmed has exhibited his work in numerous local and international venues, including Sawara in Aden (2021), Here, There, and in Between in New York (2022), and Do You See Me? in New York (2023). His art continues to engage deeply with both personal experiences and broader societal themes.
“ ... the most fitting way to tell stories, capture emotions, and address issues... ”Ahmed Abdulaziz Alabbadi
Adel Al Haimi: Love and Bread_Old Sana’a (Yemen)
Adel Al Haimi is a filmmaker and visual novelist with a profound passion for storytelling, combining cinematic and photographic techniques to document and narrate human experiences. Proficient in photography, editing, and directing, he has worked on various artistic projects and human interest stories for organizations, agencies, and TV channels. His debut professional film, *Satel*, received notable acclaim, including Best Documentary Film at the Baghdad Film Festival 2024 and second place in the Al Jazeera Documentary Competition for Short Film 2024. Additionally, he won the Best Picture Award at Yemen 2021: Hope for the Future from among 700 entries. Adel aspires to achieve international recognition.
“ ... combining cinematic and photographic techniques to document and narrate human experiences ... ”Adel Al Haimi
Mustafa Shorbaji: Gold Days (Egypt)
Mustafa Shorbaji is an Egyptian photographer with 13 years of experience and a deep passion for street photography and documenting diverse lives and cultures. He has received 35 local and international awards, including the European Union Award from Egypt in 2017 and 2020, the Wiki Loves Africa Award, and the SOOC Award from Fujifilm Middle East. Mustafa is also the founder of the "Story and Picture" initiative, which significantly contributes to teaching young photographers the techniques of street and documentary photography. His work continues to influence and inspire within the photography community.
“ ... deep passion for street photography and documenting diverse lives and cultures ... ”Mustafa Shorbaji
Mohamed Abdalla Medo: Smile Winning (Sudan)
Mohamed Abdalla (b. 1994) is a Sudanese photographer who began his journey in photography as a hobby while completing a diploma in computer engineering in 2016. His passion for the craft developed during his university years, leading him to focus on documentary photography, portraiture, and visual storytelling. Mohamed has participated in numerous competitions and exhibitions, including international events. He secured fourth place in the Positivity Competition organized by the Sudanese Photographers Association in 2022 and had his work featured in the annual book of the Union of Arab Photographers, showcased at the Xposure 2024 International Photography Festival.
“ ... focus on documentary photography, portraiture, and visual storytelling ... ”Mohamed Abdalla Medo
Waad Saber: Ezbet Al Burj (Egypt)
Waad Saber (b. 2000) is a documentary photographer from Cairo, Egypt who graduated from the Faculty of Language and Media at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. She specialises in capturing daily life and street scenes, offering a vivid and authentic glimpse into everyday moments. Her work reflects a deep interest in the nuances of urban life, showcasing the subtleties and realities of the city through her lens.
“ ... capturing daily life and street scenes, offering a vivid and authentic glimpse into everyday moments ... ”Waad Saber
Mustafa Turky: Joy (Iraq)
Mustafa Turky, born in Baghdad, Iraq, embarked on his photography journey by taking pictures with his mobile phone, which sparked his passion for the art form. This early interest led him to purchase his first professional camera in 2012, marking the true beginning of his photography career. Mustafa is especially drawn to street photography and capturing everyday scenes, creating visual stories that resonate with viewers. Over the years, he has earned several local awards from associations, forums, and unions in Iraq, as well as recognition in international competitions and exhibitions. His work reflects a deep commitment to documenting the world through his lens.
“ ... drawn to street photography and capturing everyday scenes, creating visual stories that resonate with viewers ... ”Mustafa Turky
Bashar Shglila: Ride Like A Wind (Libya)
Bashar Shglila, from Tripoli, Libya, graduated from the Faculty of Science at the University of Tripoli and works in remote sensing. He began his photography journey in 2006 with a Sony compact camera as a hobby. His work, which involves traveling between cities and countries, led him to share his photos on Flickr, where positive feedback encouraged him to pursue photography more seriously. Bashar has experimented with various styles, including nature, sports, and portraits. However, his true passion emerged in 2008 at a heritage festival in southern Libya, where he was captivated by the cultures of the Tuareg tribes and the desert city of Ghadames, inspiring him to focus on documenting endangered cultures and heritage.
“ ... documenting endangered cultures and heritage ... ”Bashar Shglila
Mortada Emad: Alone Among the Dead (Iraq)
Mortada Emad Kazem, born in 1999, lives in Baghdad Governorate, Iraq. He started photography in 2017 with his phone, inspired by the art of capturing moments and blending them with his own imagination. His career took off with his debut in a black and white photography exhibition in Baghdad, where he was among 100 international photographers. Mortada has since participated in numerous local, Arab, and international exhibitions, winning the GPU Under 25 Years Old grand prize for 2019-2020 and 2023-2024, the Fujifilm Middle East competition in 2021, and the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Photography Award. His recent work was featured at the Xposure Photography Festival 2024.
“ ... inspired by the art of capturing moments and blending them with his own imagination ... ”Mortada Emad
Ahmed Shaaban Elimi: Life Is Colorful (Egypt)
Ahmed Elimi is a media professional and photographer with extensive experience across media outlets in Egypt and Qatar, including Akhbar El-Yom Foundation, Al-Watan newspaper, and the National Planning Council in Qatar. Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous international and local photography awards. In 2015, Ahmed won first prize in the black and white category at the Sheikh Saoud Al Thani Single Image Award. He also clinched first place in the Qatari Amiri Guard Competition for his coverage of the 2016 National Day events and won the Doha UCI Road World Championship in 2016. His work has been nominated for prestigious awards like the Hamdan International Photography Award and has been featured on National Geographic Abu Dhabi's Instagram page.
“ ... media professional and photographer with extensive experience across media outlets ... ”Ahmed Shaaban Elimi
Muthanna Ba Dhares: Joy and Chant (Yemen)
Muthanna Ba Dhares, a former lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism and Media at Hadhramout University, holds a master’s degree in media from Aden University and currently resides in Hadhramout, Yemen. As a photographer, he collaborates with various humanitarian and cultural organizations across Yemen. He has also participated in press team management courses offered by the US Embassy in Yemen and Freedom House NPO. As a cultural and media activist, Muthanna focuses on documenting both tangible and intangible heritage, dedicated to preserving it from change and destruction.
“ ... documenting both tangible and intangible heritage, dedicated to preserving it from change and destruction ... ”Muthanna Ba Dhares
Haitham Imad Nuraldeen: Hope (Palestine)
Haitham Imad Nuraldeen, born in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, is a photojournalist for EANA, specializing in conflicts, wars, and daily life. At the age of 29, he has extensively covered numerous wars in his country and has received several international and local awards for his impactful work. Currently based in the Gaza Strip, Haitham continues to document the ongoing conflict in the region, capturing the realities of life amidst adversity.
“ ... specializing in conflicts, wars, and daily life ... ”Haitham Imad Nuraldeen
Ahmed Hussein Masoud: The Nile: Refuge from Heat (Egypt)
Ahmed Hussein Masoud is an Egyptian photographer who discovered his passion for photography in 2018 and has since participated in several exhibitions. His self-taught approach to photography focuses on analog techniques, particularly 35mm black-and-white film, which he uses to express his inner world and the broader environment. Ahmed finds that black-and-white photography reveals emotions with stark realism, free from the influence of color. He resides in El-Saff, a small village by the Nile River in the Giza Governorate, where he captures daily life and personal reflections in his work. His background in filmmaking further enhances his visual storytelling and emotional expression through photography.
“ ... to express his inner world and the broader environment ... ”Ahmed Hussein Masoud
Ali Mahmoud Abdelwahab Gad: Birds Dream of Better Days (Egypt)
Ali Gad, a 25-year-old visual artist and storyteller from Shabrament Village in Giza Governorate, Egypt, graduated from the Faculty of Commerce in 2021 but has always been passionate about photography. He did not pursue formal studies in the field, instead learning through continuous experimentation and self-exploration. Ali is particularly captivated by the concept of "place," making it the focal point in his images. Even when featuring human elements, the place remains the central character, creating an alternate world that serves as a refuge from real places he feels disconnected from. Ali has showcased his work in several prominent exhibitions in Egypt, including Cairo Design Week 2024 with Phlog, Alexandria Photo Week with "Flowers on Fire" in February 2024, the Fuji Film 2024 Competition, Sync X GLC Exhibition in November 2023, and the Journalists Syndicate Exhibition in December 2022.
“ ... the place remains the central character, creating an alternate world that serves as a refuge from real places ... ”Ali Mahmoud Abdelwahab Gad
Tarek Elmagrbe: Football Shadow (Egypt)
Tarek Elmagrbe, from Alexandria, Egypt, began his photography journey four years ago, specializing in street photography and the interplay of shadow and light. He has received several local and international awards for his work, including being named one of the top 35 photographers of 2022 in the Russian competition 35Awards. Tarek also won third place in the local Street Life competition and earned recognition in the PhotOlympic competition. His work continues to explore and capture the nuanced interactions between light, shadow, and urban life.
“ ... specializing in street photography and the interplay of shadow and light ... ”Tarek Elmagrbe
Eslam Ahmed Hamed: Iron Worker (Egypt)
Eslam Ahmed Hamed, born in 1989, is passionate about photographing street life and portraits. He believes that capturing portraits reveals human traits and qualities in a spontaneous and authentic manner, particularly in street photography. This approach highlights both the present and past of individuals without embellishment. Eslam aims to document everyday moments and the inherent beauty within them, telling people's stories through his photos. With studies in photography and film directing, he brings a diverse perspective to his work. His participation in several local exhibitions has refined his skills, and a notable achievement is his nomination for the Tasweer Single Image Award.
“ ... reveals human traits and qualities in a spontaneous and authentic manner ... ”Eslam Ahmed Hamed
Neşe Arı: Kubra and Emine (Turkey)
Neşe Arı, a self-taught photographer born in Istanbul, has turned her hobby into a vital part of her life through her unique perspective. She specializes in documentary, travel, and street photography, capturing moments across Turkey and globally. Neşe views photography as a powerful form of communication, using it to convey the experiences and emotions she encounters to those who were not present. Her work reflects her belief that photography is a tool for sharing the depth of human experiences.
“ ... photography is a tool for sharing the depth of human experiences ... ”Neşe Arı
Salem Sultan Alhajri: Wandering (Oman)
Salem bin Sultan bin Amer bin Salem Al Hajri is an accomplished Omani photographer, lecturer, and workshop organizer. He is a member of prestigious organizations such as the International Federation of Photographic Art, the Union of Arab Photographers, the Photographic Society of Oman, and the Ernst Photography Competition in Iran. His work has been featured in various Arab magazines and on documentary channels including Arab Px, National Geographic Al Arabiya, and National Geographic Global Networks in Britain. Salem has received numerous international, Arab, and local awards and has organized many exhibitions in Oman. He is currently collaborating with National Geographic Global Channel on a documentary about life in the Empty Quarter desert (RubʿAl-Khali).
“ ... documentary about life ... ”Salem Sultan Alhajri
Mohamed Nasr: Baby in Fog (Egypt)
Mohamed Nasr is an Egyptian photographer with a deep passion for travel and street photography, complemented by extensive experience in capturing human subjects. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Media with a focus on Journalism Production. Mohamed has been awarded the EFIAP Excellence title by the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) and the Crown 2 title from the Global Photographers Union (GPU). His work has garnered 60 international awards in major photography competitions, including those by the Arab Photographers Union, Austria International Competition, Egypt International Competition, and the Al Thani International Competition. Mohamed also serves as a jury member for local competitions and lectures on travel and street photography.
“ ... a deep passion for travel and street photography ... ”Mohamed Nasr
Ahmed Mohamed Hassan: Five Boats (Egypt)
Ahmed Mohamed Hassan (b. 1983) is an Egyptian photographer born in Qatar. After graduating from medical school in Egypt in 2007, he spent three years managing Egyptian army prison clinics before joining the Medical Team at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Qatar as a Public Health Physician in 2011. Driven by a desire to join the ranks of renowned international photographers, Ahmed began his photography journey in October 2015. He views photography as a means to capture human emotions, cultural greatness, and preserve traditions. Specializing in street, travel, and lifestyle photography, he started traveling globally in 2016 to explore diverse cultures. For Ahmed, each image is a story that touches his soul, reflecting his passion for preserving the beauty of the world.
“ ... views photography as a means to capture human emotions, cultural greatness, and preserve traditions ... ”Ahmed Mohamed Hassan
Ahmed Emad: Matariya (Egypt)
Ahmed Emad, born in 1993, is a passionate Egyptian photographer based in Cairo. His journey began at eight years old with a photo taken on his father’s camera, a cherished memory he still holds dear. At 17, Ahmed started exploring Egypt’s beauty and culture, which evolved into a full-time career. By 23, he won his first prize, leading to numerous national and international awards. In 2022, he was chosen as an ambassador for the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, amplifying his work's impact. His award-winning photos and videos often go viral for their beauty and authenticity. Ahmed specializes in travel, portraits, landscape, and documentary photography, focusing on capturing human struggle while preserving dignity. He is committed to empowering aspiring photographers to pursue their passion despite challenges, believing that a single photo can positively transform lives.
“ ... specializes in travel, portraits, landscape, and documentary photography, focusing on capturing human struggle while preserving dignity ... ”Ahmed Emad