The 13th Sharjah Light Festival (SLF), taking place from 7th to 18th February, 2024, brings several specialised workshops and a photowalk in collaboration with FotoUAE, a platform dedicated to supporting photographers in the UAE through the online publication of photos captured within the nation.

These activities, carefully curated to cater to varying interests and skill levels, aim to provide participants with mentorship and guidance to level up their skills.

Maysoun Hassan Al Hosany, Media Department Manager at SCTDA, said, “We are excited to collaborate with FotoUAE platform to offer diverse experiences for photography enthusiasts during the 13th Sharjah Light Festival. We aim to enrich the visual and photographic content of the festival and encourage the public to showcase their talents by providing them with a unique opportunity to capture the essence of the Light Festival. This partnership reflects SCTDA’s commitment to nurturing local talents, inspiring the youth, and making Sharjah a destination of art, culture, and heritage in the region.”

As a start to the series, enthusiasts took a photographic journey led by Ola Allouz, Founder of FotoUAE, for the “Al Dhaid Fort Photowalk”, on 9th February, from 18:00 to 21:00. A photowalk is a communal activity where camera enthusiasts gather in a group to walk around and take inspired pictures of their surroundings, sharing experiences, and learning from one another. This unique experience invited participants to explore the historic Al Dhaid Fort, capturing the enchanting light displays of SLF 2024 in a distinctive setting.

On 12th February, the upskilling workshops will commence with the “Double Exposure Workshop”, led by Allouz and in collaboration with the leading imaging and camera equipment manufacturer, Fujifilm. The workshop will take place at the Khalid Lagoon at Al Majaz, from 18:00 to 21:00, and will educate participants on the intricacies of creating photographic compositions through the double exposure technique. Participants will apply what they learn to the light shows in Khalid Lagoon and Al Noor Mosque.

For those intrigued by the art of chronicling a visual tale through photography, the “Storytelling Workshop” with instructor Abdalla AlAstad, is scheduled for 13th February, at the Al Hamriyah New General Souq in Sharjah, from 18:00 to 21:00. Participants will be able to discover the craft of conveying narratives through visual storytelling, and improve their photography skills, white reflecting the story and the message of the light show through their lenses.

On 14th February, the “iPhone Workshop" with instructor Muhammad Alchaar will take place from 18:00 to 21:00 at the Sharjah Mosque. This workshop is tailored to harness the potential of mobile photography, exploring techniques and creative approaches under the guidance of an experienced professional. Participants will capture the beauty of the mosque's architectural and Islamic details illuminated in the light show titled “A Sublime Canvas”.

Concluding the series is a “Videography Workshop” in collaboration with Fujifilm, scheduled for 15th February from 18:00 to 21:00 at the iconic Sharjah Police Headquarters Building. Instructed by Ram Manoj, this workshop will guide participants through the intricacies of videography, offering valuable insights into capturing engaging visual narratives while highlighting the unique architectural details of this modern landmark.

The partnership extends to a competition managed by FotoUAE, where the participant with the most outstanding work for each activity will receive a prize sponsored by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.