Local Snappers 'Sheik' it in Qatar

Dundalk Photographic Society members have been winning awards on national and international stages for many years but have recently expanded their horizons and performed extremely well on a new competitive stage in Qatar in the Gulf Region of the Middle East, and at the expense of the one and only Sheik Saoud Bin Mohammad Bin Ali Al-Thani. The 'Al-Thani Awards for Photography' started off in 2000 as a regional photography contest in the state of Qatar, but has expanded rapidly and is now on its way to becoming the worlds largest Salon of Photographic Art. The reason is no doubt the provision from 2006 of $50000 per year in prize money by the Sheik who gives his name to the awards.

This year there were 35,572 entries from 4,067 photographers from 86 different countries. Awards were given in 3 categories - monochrome prints, colour prints and slide/projected image - in each a general section and a special themed section 'Water'. There were awards for the top 10 photographic clubs, each club having to have entries from at least 10 photographers. Dundalk Photographic Society made a club entry composed of photographs from 11 members and duly took 6th place overall in this prestigious international competition, a marvellous achievement.

The Dundalk photographers were: Ciaran de Bhal; Arthur Carron; Marty Garland; Brian Hopper; Colm Kane; David Martin; Tony McDonnell; Niall McEntegart; Pat McHenry; Gabriel O'Shaughnessy and Denis Whelehan. The club members had an amazing 73 works accepted for the Salon, a magnificent feat. Tony Mc Donnell did extremely well in the individual awards by taking Third Place in the Colour print section, where there were 11925 entries, another wonderful result for Tony, and for the society.
Tony's photograph was titled 'The Lighthouse' and was awarded an Al-Thani Medal. Tony's image was also printed in the exclusive Al-Thani Salon Catalogue, along with a colour print by Ciaran De Bhal titled 'HMV', and a monochrome print by David Martin titled 'Louth Hall'.

Dundalk Photographic Society meets every Thursday night at 8pm in the Conradh na Gaeilge hall and all are welcome to attend. The society's main activities include digital workshops, outings, competitions and studio nights.

Article by B.Mulholland, 21st Jan 2008, (C) DPS 2008