Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has announced “Family” as the main theme for its 15th season photography competition, aligning with the UAE’s declaration of the Year of the Family. The new season will feature five main categories, including General Photography in both black and white and colour, Sports Photography, Portfolio or storytelling photography, and a special category titled “Dreams Through AI.” HIPA Secretary-General Ali Bin Thalith said the chosen theme reflects the importance of family as the foundation of society and supports national efforts to strengthen family bonds and social stability. He explained that the theme encourages photographers to capture meaningful moments that reflect connection, belonging, and shared experiences, while highlighting the role of family in shaping quality of life and community values. Bin Thalith also highlighted the introduction of “Dreams Through AI” as a response to rapid technological advances in visual arts. Participants in this category are required to submit an original photograph that meets specific criteria, followed by an AI-generated interpretation that represents a dreamlike or imagined version of the image. He said the category creates a unique creative space where reality and imagination meet, while still placing the original photograph at the heart of the submission. According to Bin Thalith, HIPA has grown into a globally recognised photography platform that remains deeply rooted in Emirati identity, while using visual storytelling to draw attention to important global and social issues. Submissions for the 15th season are open until May 31 at 11:59pm (UAE time). Entries can be submitted through the official HIPA website. ICA/Expat Media
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