Dubai lensmen to mark World Photographers Day at DSS event

This special evening will not only recognise the participants and award the winners, coinciding with World Photographers Day (August 19), celebrated globally with shows, workshops and talks. It was on August 19, 1839, that photography was first unveiled, with Arago's presentation to the French Academies des Sciences and Beaux Arts describing Daguerre's photography process. Hence August 19 is regarded as the birthday of modern photography.

Participants, winners and renowned names from the photography world will gather for a grand gala dinner at Al Multaqa Ballroom of the Dubai World Trade Center, the final day of the DSS Photography Exhibition and prize presentation ceremony.

Winners for the DSS photo contest, The Best DSS Smile, organised by DSS Media Centre as part of the DSS 2006 Photography Exhibition will also be declared tonight. Winners will receive expensive photography equipment and materials, sponsored by Kodak .

The DSS Photo exhibition displayed a total of 360 compelling images from 72 diverse photographers of different nationalities, including UAE nationals. Images from both professionals of leading media organisations and amateur enthusiasts were displayed, with themes as diverse as the photographers: Dubai's architecture, ships, people, roads and nature being just some of them.

The exhibition was divided into three sections; in the Photojournalists division, the region's foremost news photographers showcased their hard-hitting factual pictures. The 'Professional Photographers' section featured some of the world's leading figures, and the 'Talented Photographers' section showcased many gifted non-professionals. Each featured photographer presented 15 photographs on a specific theme out of which five each were shortlisted and displayed at the expo. The Best DSS Smile contest attracted 112 entries from 24 photography enthusiasts.