Malaysian Photographer Wins Gold at International Photography Competition
Winning Moment
Kuala Lumpur: National News Agency of Malaysia (BERNAMA) photographer Ahmad Iskandar Kamaruzaman has won a gold medal at the International Association of Art Photographers (IAAP) in the ‘The Spirit of the Olympics: Beyond Victory and Defeat’ competition. The 38-year-old photographer attributed his success to a lucky moment during the women’s three-meter springboard final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Nur Dhabitah Sabri’s dive brought him good fortune.
A Surprise Victory
Ahmad Iskandar did not expect to win gold, admitting that he had made a ‘mistake’ when submitting his nomination to the organisers. He initially intended to submit a photo of national track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, who was involved in an accident during the men’s keirin final. However, an error in the website system led him to submit a photo of Nur Dhabitah instead.
A Clean Shot
Despite the mistake, Ahmad Iskandar was satisfied with the quality of the photo he submitted, describing it as "quite clean" against the iconic logo of the world’s prestigious sports event. He also submitted three other photos, featuring top gymnast Simone Biles from the United States, world men’s singles badminton champion Viktor Axelsen from Denmark, and track cycling riders at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome.
Enhancing BERNAMA’s Reputation
Ahmad Iskandar’s success is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to BERNAMA’s reputation at the international level. He expressed his gratitude for the valuable opportunity given by the organisation to cover the 2024 Paris Olympics from July 26 to August 11.
Conclusion
Ahmad Iskandar’s gold medal win at the IAAP competition is a significant achievement for BERNAMA, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to producing high-quality photography. The incident also highlights the unexpected twists and turns that can occur in the world of photography, often leading to surprising and exciting outcomes.
FAQs
- What is the International Association of Art Photographers (IAAP)?
The IAAP is an international photography organization that hosts competitions and events to recognize and celebrate the work of photographers from around the world. - Who is Nur Dhabitah Sabri?
Nur Dhabitah Sabri is a Malaysian diver who competed in the women’s three-meter springboard final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. - What was the theme of the IAAP competition?
The theme of the IAAP competition was "The Spirit of the Olympics: Beyond Victory and Defeat", which aimed to capture the essence of the Olympic Games beyond the winners and losers. - How many years of experience does Ahmad Iskandar have in photography?
Ahmad Iskandar has 13 years of experience in photography.