Latest news with #9thInternationalPhotographyFestival
Gulf Today
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Landscape photographers capture fragility of planet
Landscape photography is an intimate dialogue between the photographer and nature, a process of emotional expression, and a journey into the raw beauty of the Earth's elements. At the ongoing 9th International Photography Festival (Xposure), two celebrated landscape photographers – Isabella Tabacchi and Filip Hrebenda – took the stage to share their profound artistic perspectives. Tabacchi took the audience on an emotional voyage across some of Earth's most majestic and fragile locations. 'Landscapes are not just rocks or trees,' she noted. 'A place can feel more alive than anything else, carrying our memories, our joy, our grief, or even our silence.' A session rich in personal stories, Tabacchi shared how her passion for volcanoes and remote landscapes shaped her work. Her fascination with the contrasts between calm and chaos was brought to life through stunning examples of her photography. One image, taken in Japan during the cherry blossom season, exuded serenity. 'It was a sunrise that made me feel completely at peace,' Tabacchi shared. 'I felt the gentle connection between the fleeting beauty of the blossoms and the eternal presence of Mount Fuji.' Tabacchi also shared her love for aerial perspectives, particularly her award-winning shot titled Tree of Life, taken in Iceland. 'Sometimes nature creates art so profound it doesn't need words. My job is to immortalise it and remind the world how breathtakingly fragile our planet is,' she said. Hrebenda's presentation was a philosophical ode to the elemental forces that shape our planet. Growing up amidst Slovakia's High Tatra mountains sparked the adventurer photographer's love for untamed landscapes. 'Standing on the peaks or in the heart of the wilderness, I feel small, like an ant in front of nature's grandeur,' he said. With his work deconstructed according to the natural elements, the visual montage of erupting volcanoes, icy glaciers, and windswept desert scenes transported the session's attendees into the raw beauty of the Earth. 'The elements – fire, water, air, earth, and space – are so much larger than us. They remind us of our insignificance in the universe, yet our deep connection to it,' Hrebenda said. His high-profile Born of Fire images, showing Icelandic volcanoes in full eruption, were a highlight. Equally moving was his exploration of water as an element. One of the most evocative elements was his depiction of space. Standing under the Northern Lights or the Milky Way in Iceland became moments of clarity for Hrebenda. 'It's not just the size of the universe that overwhelms you. When you look up, you realise how much is outside of ourselves. And it changes the way you see everything on Earth,' he added, visibly moved. Both photographers spoke to the collective responsibility of protecting these natural wonders. 'Photography,' Tabacchi noted, 'is not just art. It's a place where emotion meets action: a way to capture the soul of a landscape and motivate change.' Hrebenda echoed, 'People protect what they love, and they can only love what they understand. That's our job as photographers, to help them see what's worth saving.' Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure 2025 runs until Feb.26. Earlier, Xposure unveiled the winners of its most prestigious initiatives, celebrating the pinnacle of photojournalism and global visual storytelling. Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra was announced as the overall winner of the Independent Freelance Photojournalist Award (IFPA), while the Global Focus Project (GFP) honoured 12 exceptional photographers highlighting their diverse works and contributions. The IFPA designed to recognise outstanding photojournalism, announced its winners from a shortlist of seven entries. In a ceremony attended by industry peers and photography enthusiasts, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director-General of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), handed over the awards.
Broadcast Pro
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Filmmakers explore impact of documentaries as agents of change at Xposure
The international panelists share their journeys navigating the intersection of storytelling, ethics, and impact, with the documentary genre blending emotion, urgency and responsibility. At the 9th International Photography Festival (Xposure 2025) in Sharjah, a panel discussion titled Filmmaking for Change: Documentaries That Matter brought together filmmakers Rick Smolan, Jerome Pin and Dennis Schmelz to explore the influence of documentaries in capturing untold stories and reshaping global perspectives. In a world of increasing media fragmentation, documentaries remain a powerful tool for raising awareness and driving social change. French filmmaker Jerome Pin, known for his work in war zones and environmental crises, talked about the importance of giving a voice to the unheard. Reflecting on his early experience documenting refugees in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, he recalled a moment of moral conflict when he momentarily set aside his camera to assist UNICEF workers. Ultimately, he reaffirmed his role as a journalist, believing that his responsibility was to shed light on these crises. His documentary later became crucial evidence for Human Rights Watch in investigating crimes against humanity. Schmelz, known for his visual compositions showcasing the grandeur of hidden destinations, spoke about how his lens has shifted. 'For much of my career, I worked in tourism, capturing beautiful places and selling dreams. But I began to feel like something was missing,' he said. From working on a commercial train project in India, Schmelz expanded his focus to include the stark socioeconomic contrasts he encountered. 'I turned that trip into a personal project, creating a short film for YouTube about my experience. Unexpectedly, it went viral and resonated with almost half a million people, sparking the conversations I hoped for.' Making documentaries that matter comes with another formidable challenge: financing. Photojournalist Smolan, famed for his iconic 'Day in the Life' photography books, shared a more entrepreneurial approach, and commented: 'When no traditional publisher would touch my idea, I approached corporate sponsors. I told them, 'Your sponsorship will give you visibility, not editorial control.' To my surprise, many companies agreed. That strategy unlocked massive resources while safeguarding integrity. And once the project was complete, those same sponsors became my biggest marketers, enabling me to reach audiences globally.' Still, Smolan acknowledged the shift younger filmmakers face today. 'We live in an era of TikTok and short-attention-span theatre,' he said. 'Audiences demand bite-sized stories, but social change doesn't come in 30-second takes. It requires time to build empathy for people's struggles. Despite YouTube's power as a platform, it's not always built for the investigative rigour some stories demand. That's where the traditional long-form documentary still holds its power.' Social issue films also face an uphill battle in convincing backers of their value. But the responsibility of telling these stories remains more urgent than ever. Schmelz advocated authenticity over chasing trends. 'The subject has to mean something to you. If you're just making films for clicks or virality, it shows. But if the cause is real to you, the audience will feel it,' he said. Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) Xposure 2025 is taking place in Aljada, Sharjah until February 26.
