A recurring competition organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) to promote photography as a creative practice and an artistic means of documentation.
The first edition is launched to mark the 125th anniversary of the first photograph of Qasr Al Hosn, taken in 1901 by the American scholar and explorer Samuel Marinus Zwemer. This photograph represents a significant milestone in the visual documentation of the United Arab Emirates and marks the beginning of an established record of this landmark.
In its first edition, the competition adopts Qasr Al Hosn as its central theme and invites photographers to submit entries across four categories. These categories reflect photography’s documentary, artistic, and creative dimensions, as well as its alignment with the digital era, as follows:
1- Documentary Photography Category (Qasr Al Hosn Architecture)
This category aims to reinforce the documentary value of photography. Submissions should highlight the architectural and decorative features of Qasr Al Hosn - interior and/or exterior - while ensuring clear documentary relevance alongside appropriate artistic quality.
2- Monochrome Photography Category (Black & White)
This category aims to develop photographers’ skills in single-tone imagery (Black & White, Sepia, Cyanotype). Submissions should demonstrate effective use of composition, lighting, and texture, with emphasis on detail and tonal contrast.
3- Digital Editing Category
This category aims to showcase photographers’ capabilities in applying contemporary techniques, including AI tools, to express artistic vision. Participants may combine their original photographs of the designated landmark with additional elements to produce an original and coherent visual narrative.
4- Light and Shadow Category
This category aims to highlight expertise in silhouette and high-contrast photography, where shadows constitute an essential compositional element. Submissions should demonstrate the aesthetic qualities of the landmark through the interplay of light and shadow.
Terms and conditions:
1- To obtain a photography permit, please contact the following email: [email protected]. Please note that the images are intended solely for submission to the competition and may not be used for any other purposes or shared on social media.
Participants are also required to register for the competition via this Link.
2- Participation is open to all photographers aged 18 years and above.
3- Entries may be taken using any type of camera and lens, including mobile phones.
4- Submissions are accepted until 31 July 2026.
5- Participants may enter all four categories, submitting a minimum of one (1) photo and a maximum of five (5) photos per category.
6- Each submission must include a title and a caption.
7- Submissions must be in:
8- The same photo may not be submitted in more than one category.
9- Participants must provide a copy of an official identification document. By submitting via the website, the participant confirms that all submitted images are their original work and that they hold all rights thereto. The participant grants the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT-Abu Dhabi) and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, and sublicensable license to use the submitted images in accordance with these Terms and Conditions, without financial compensation. The participant’s moral rights as the photographer will be acknowledged whenever practicable. The participant assumes full legal responsibility for any claims arising from any breach of these Terms and Conditions.
Valuable prizes await you.
