• Abdalla Mohamed Alraeesi from the UAE, winner in the One Photo category, Mountains subcategory. All photos: Wam
    Abdalla Mohamed Alraeesi from the UAE, winner in the One Photo category, Mountains subcategory. All photos: Wam
  • Ajay Ghosh Ramachandran from India, winner in the One Photo category, Emirates from Above subcategory.
    Ajay Ghosh Ramachandran from India, winner in the One Photo category, Emirates from Above subcategory.
  • Jason Balaba from the Philippines, winner in the One Photo category, Sea subcategory.
    Jason Balaba from the Philippines, winner in the One Photo category, Sea subcategory.
  • Khaled Alkindi from the UAE, winner in the One Photo category, Valleys subcategory.
    Khaled Alkindi from the UAE, winner in the One Photo category, Valleys subcategory.
  • Maurizio Casula from Italy, winner in the One Photo category, Desert subcategory.
    Maurizio Casula from Italy, winner in the One Photo category, Desert subcategory.
  • Tittu Thomas from India, winner in the Portfolio category, Faces from UAE subcategory.
    Tittu Thomas from India, winner in the Portfolio category, Faces from UAE subcategory.
  • Thomas (Faces from UAE).
    Thomas (Faces from UAE).
  • Thomas (Faces from UAE).
    Thomas (Faces from UAE).
  • Thomas (Faces from UAE).
    Thomas (Faces from UAE).
  • Thomas (Faces from UAE).
    Thomas (Faces from UAE).
  • Thomas (Faces from UAE).
    Thomas (Faces from UAE).
  • Thomas (Faces from UAE).
    Thomas (Faces from UAE).
  • Crisencio Bernabe from the Philippines, winner in the Portfolio category, UAE Street Life subcategory.
    Crisencio Bernabe from the Philippines, winner in the Portfolio category, UAE Street Life subcategory.
  • Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
    Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
  • Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
    Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
  • Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
    Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
  • Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
    Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
  • Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
    Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
  • Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
    Bernabe (UAE Street Life).
  • Rahul Bansal from India, winner in the Portfolio category, UAE Wildlife subcategory.
    Rahul Bansal from India, winner in the Portfolio category, UAE Wildlife subcategory.
  • Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
    Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
  • Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
    Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
  • Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
    Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
  • Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
    Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
  • Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
    Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
  • Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
    Bansal (UAE Wildlife).
  • Omar Almarzouqi from the UAE, winner in the Portfolio category, UAE in Your Eyes subcategory.
    Omar Almarzouqi from the UAE, winner in the Portfolio category, UAE in Your Eyes subcategory.
  • Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
    Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
  • Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
    Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
  • Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
    Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
  • Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
    Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
  • Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).
    Almarzouqi (UAE in Your Eyes).

32 winning pictures from the UAE's World's Coolest Winter photography competition


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

The winners of the World’s Coolest Winter photography competition, which tasked entrants with capturing images of the UAE, have been announced.

Organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office, the competition was designed to highlight the UAE’s entertainment, culture and natural landmarks, and raise awareness of the variety of its tourism activities during the nation’s winter.

Running from December 20, 2021 to January 20, 2022, the competition attracted 2,176 participants from 89 countries, and more than 2,800 images were submitted.

It featured two main categories – One Photo, which was open to the public, and Portfolio, which was exclusive to professional photographers.

The One Photo competition featured five subcategories, each of which had its own winner. They were Maurizio Casula from Italy (Desert), Jason Balaba from the Philippines (Sea), Abdalla Mohamed Alraeesi from the UAE (Mountains), Khaled Alkindi from the UAE (Valleys) and Ajay Ghosh Ramachandran from India (Emirates from Above). Each was awarded Dh7,000.

The winners of the Portfolio competition’s four subcategories were Omar Almarzouqi from the UAE (In Your Eyes), Rahul Bansal from India (UAE Wildlife), Tittu Thomas from India (Faces from UAE) and Crisencio Bernabe from the Philippines (UAE Street Life). Each was awarded Dh50,000.

"The UAE’s nature, landscapes, society and culture are a model for beautifully synchronised diversity,” said Alia Al Hammadi, deputy chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office. “Its landmarks across the nation attract visitors and tourists from within and outside the UAE, and its scenery is a focal point for artists and creative geniuses."

On the panel of expert judges was photographer John Stanmeyer, whose work has been featured on 14 of National Geographic's covers and 18 Time magazine covers. Three-time Pulitzer and Emmy Award-winning photojournalist Barbara Davidson, and Shadi Nasri, who specialises in night photography, natural landscapes and fine art landscapes, were also on the panel.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the winning images

MATCH INFO

UAE Division 1

Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
LA LIGA FIXTURES

Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)

Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)

Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)

Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)

Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)

Sunday

Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)

Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)

Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)

Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)

Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)

Monday

Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)

FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Racecard

6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m 

7.10pm: British Business Group – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,200m 

7.45pm: CCI France UAE – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m 

8.20pm: Czech Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,400m 

8.55pm: Netherlands Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m 

9.30pm: Indian Business and Professional Council – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m  

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Updated: February 16, 2022, 6:52 AM