Qatari photographer Amna Marafi wins Tasweer Single Image Award

In Qatar, photographer Amna Marafi has been honored with the Tasweer Single Image Award for her contemplative photograph, "Like Two Ships." The award-winning image captures a fleeting encounter between two boats during a quiet sunrise at Katara. Marafi discovered the scene during an early morning walk, visiting familiar locations around Doha to see them from a unique perspective.

She was drawn to the still water, changing light, and the moment the boats passed each other. Initially, the image seemed like a portrait, but Marafi later reflected on the deeper meaning, noting the brief nature of the encounter and the unexpected paths people often cross in life. The title "Like Two Ships" is a reference to the phrase "like two ships passing in the night," symbolizing these fleeting moments and the impact they can have.

The photographer sees the two boats as two separate journeys briefly sharing the same space and time, emphasizing the intricate constellation of events required for such encounters. Marafi's approach to photography is grounded in noticing ordinary moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. She believes that compelling images do not require elaborate preparation; sometimes, they begin simply with looking up and paying attention.

The award has placed Marafi's work alongside photographers she admires, but she views the recognition as an opportunity to continue learning and growing within the art form.