Alliance Francaise rewards budding photographers

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Massive response was received to the Localens Photography Competition, whose lucky winners were awarded prizes at the Alliance Francaise, Karachi, on March 22.

It was an opportunity for the youngsters who pursue photography as a hobby to demonstrate their creativity and talent. 

Nearly 14,000 entries were received and the judges, Jean-Francois Chenin, Director, Alliance Francaise in Karachi, Izdeyar Setna, a photographer, and Max Becherer, a freelance photo-journalist, had a challenge to meet while shortlisting 30 of these pictures which were put on display on the walls of the auditorium. 

“I have nothing to hide, these pictures were beautiful,” Chenin was quoted as saying while pointing to the wonderful pictures he had to judge. 

The participants were awarded certificates while cash and gifts were presented to the winners of first, second and third positions.

Sikandar Hayat's 'Paddy Crop' was adjudged first, Asfand Majeed's 'Roadside barbeque' second and Mehlum Sadriwala's 'The early morning walk' third. 

The Gurumandir image captured by Asfand Majeed portrayed many of the things from streets to cars and barbeque on the roadside as the youngster desired glorifying Karachi, known for its food, with his stunning picture. 

Mehlum Sadriwala won the third prize which the photograph he had clicked in November 2013 of Old Lahore. He believed that there’s an old world charm in the old Lahore city, near the Wazir Khan Mosque and the picture he took of an old man walking past was done in a poetic way.