Firos Syed
Doha resident Firos Syed has won the second place in a National Geographic Abu Dhabi photography competition that received 80,445 entries from across the Middle East.
The Photomentaries 2012 contest, called ‘Life in motion,’ received more than twice the entries it received last year.
Indian expatriate Syed’s winning picture was that of a man cycling through a puddle, after a rainy day in Doha.
“I am passionate about rain and the mood it creates in photographs,” he said. The winning frame was clicked near his house in Bin Mahmood area.
The winning photograph will feature on National Geographic Abu Dhabi (TV Channel) and Syed is to receive a $2,500 photography hamper comprising of accessories and books.
The contest was held by National Geographic Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with National Geographic Al Arabiya Magazine.
Renowned photographer George Steinmetz, best known for his exploration photography and a regular contributor to National Geographic and GEO Magazines, and National Geographic Al Arabiya editor-in-chief Mohamed al-Hammadi were the judges.
The award winning photograph
A native of Kerala, Syed is working in Qatar as a photographer at the Ministry of Environment for the past four years. Earlier, he was in India and Kuwait, as a media and ad photographer.
“I am really lucky to get this award, given that more than 80,000 entries were submitted and a number of highly experienced and globally acclaimed photographers competed,” he added.
Syed’s earlier achievements in Qatar include a Ministry of Environment Award in 2011, and this year’s Al Jazeera photography award.