The International Photography Festival, XPOSURE 2017, which is being held from 22nd to 25th November, 2017, at Expo Centre, Sharjah, has seen an overwhelming 70 percent increase in international participation, having received more than 10,000 entries from 98 countries.

The increase in participation over the last year reflects the popularity and success achieved by the first-of-its-kind photography festival in the region, since its debut, said the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the media and communication arm of the Sharjah government.

Asia has once again topped the list of entries with the participation of 6,866 photographers, representing 34 countries, followed by Europe with 1,766 entries from 33 nations. Africa was third with 867 participants, representing 13 countries, followed by North America with 497 entries from five nations. The Oceania region (Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea) came fifth with 161 entries, whereas South America sent 124 entries, representing six nations.

According to the Bureau, the second edition of XPOSURE 2017 has attracted the best of extraordinary and creative photography talent from across the world in eight categories, including Still Life, Portraiture, Wildlife, Landscape, Best of the Emirates, Photojournalism, Action and Sport, and Children (Under 16).

The competitions, which are the main attractions of XPOSURE 2017, are aimed at identifying, encouraging and rewarding extraordinary talent in various genres and styles of photography, at home and from across the world. The winning works are selected on the basis of various technical and professional criteria and values, such as the setting, location, lighting and camera angle, among others, by a jury of renowned international photographers.

The idea is to identify talent at an early age and harness the talent of beginners and amateur photographers in a region where such talent is rare. The winners, whose names will soon be announced, not only earn monetary rewards but also they get the opportunity of a lifetime to work under and with some of the biggest names in the business and celebrated, award-winning photographers from around the world, the organisers remarked.

XPOSURE 2017 is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The International Photography Festival celebrates both, press photography and creative art.