Shams also showcased their leading project, the UAE Entertainment Experience.

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

Sharjah Media City (Shams) successfully concluded its participation in the 4th edition of the International Festival of Photography “Xposure”, which took place at the Sharjah Expo Centre from Sept.19-22, and brought together a group of international photographers, who conducted a variety of workshops, panel discussions and training sessions on the various photography skills and techniques.

Shams contributed to the event by participating in nine workshops, in addition to having a platform that showed all their activities and the advantages it offers to investors from all over the world.

They also showcased their leading project, the UAE Entertainment Experience, the first of its kind in the Arab world in terms of the production of an Emirati Arab film made by the audience.

The project is part of Shams initiatives that aspires to promote and foster local talents through development programmes and special offers designed to encourage the formation of startups.

The workshops focused on the art of photography and photo professional processing techniques. The list of workshops included Achievement and Talent Development; Product Photography; Adobe Photoshop Retouching; Social Media for Photographers; Corporate Photography; Video Basic for Photographers; Fashion Photography; Fundamental Photography; and Phonography.

Dr Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Media City (Shams), highlighted the importance of participating in “Xposure,” especially in spreading awareness regarding humanitarian issues and other topics of interest, and the importance of photography in bringing change and development to the world. Al Midfa hailed the festival’s resounding success in the past years in supporting and celebrating creativity through its unmatched cultural and artistic activities.

Al Midfa added, “Xposure is an important platform for Sharjah Media City, to organise training workshops and participate in discussion panels. Their participation provided an exceptional opportunity for meeting various international photography experts.

Attendees also learnt more about the technical aspects of photography while getting an insight into the latest products and techniques in the field.”

Xposure is an integrated platform for photography arts in the region and features a range of external exhibitions. It attracts the elite of international photographers and industry experts, and gives photography enthusiasts a perfect opportunity to meet top professional photographers and acquire new technical expertise and skills on how to deal with the camera.

Today, as an innovative free zone, Shams is a global innovation hub in the region within an integrated city capable of achieving uniqueness, excellence and creativity. It offers over 120 businesses and enables investors to combine several activities in a single license.

Licences issued by Shams allow companies to carry out certain commercial activities within the City. As for media professionals, Shams provides various facilities, legal and flexible regulations, as well as unique public services and logistics available for investors from all over the world. These innovative, high-level services provide Shams with a safe and promising environment for starting businesses.

Xposure is the leading photo festival in the Mena region and the official imagery and educational platform that combines a range of photography events including;  Exhibitions, Workshops, Seminars, Screenings, Focus Groups, Competitions, Photo Walks, and hosts a dedicated photographic and video production trade show.

Xposure features dozens of educational seminars and workshops along with Photo Walks, Master Classes, demonstrations plus a consumer trade show with leading brands showcasing thousands of the latest photographic products and services for you to touch, try and compare.

Since 2018 Xposure has expanded the content and included additional floor space for the companies that support videographers and film-makers. Additionally, Xposure offers a Side Stage arena, complementary to trade exhibitors, to present and demonstrate their products.

Xposure hosts exhibitions from highly acclaimed International Photographers, professional institutes and galleries representing Photographers from around the world.

Xposure offers an extensive and varied selection of educational photography workshops, scholarships and masterclass programmes to suit beginners, advanced and pro photographers.