Wekh Lahore, the largest photography contest in the city, will be held at Alhamra Arts Gallery from January 17 to 19.
The contest has been organised by the Walled City of Lahore Authority and Lahore Photography Club in collaboration with Alhamra Arts Gallery. As many as 569 photographs depicting colours and heritage of the city have been received as yet.
The contest will provide a platform to amateur photographers to present their work and get feedback from professional photographers. Photographers can enter their pieces in two categories, Street Life and Architecture, depicting the culture and heritage of Lahore.
The Lahore Photography Club has so far received pictures of mosques and havelis in the Walled City.
The photographs and winning entries will be displayed at Alhamra Arts Gallery.
WCLA Media and Marketing Deputy Director Tania Qureshi told The Express Tribune that this was the first large-scale photo contest for amateur photographers in the country. “This event is for people who love the city and want to promote photo-tourism,” she said.
The collection of photographs would help create a pictorial data base. The participants would be mentioned as contributors.
WCLA Marketing and Tourism Director Asif Zaheer said, “I am proud of the Lahoris who are taking part in the event. Our objective is to promote the street life, culture and rich heritage of the city.” He said the WCLA would launch several seasons of Wekh Lahore, “this is the first season featuring amateur photographers. I hope the following seasons will also depict the true beauty of the Walled City”.
Lahore Photography Club president Masood Khan said, “We are trying to provide amateur photographers who love heritage a platform for their work. This contest is for amateurs who do not get a chance to project their work. We are trying to involve as many people as we can to promote heritage.”
WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari said, “Wekh Lahore is one step towards promoting photo tourism in Lahore. We want the world to see the jewel that is the Walled City, whether it is Haveli Nau Nehal or the gemstone market.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2014.