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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 DECEMBER 2024 3 CULTURE Capturing Malta through the lens: Prestigious photography exhibition returns The Malta Photographic Society's 59th National Exhibition, hosted at the Malta Society of Arts, promises an extraordinary display of local photographic talent THE Malta Photographic So- ciety (MPS) is set to open its much-awaited annual showcase of photography at the Malta So- ciety of Arts' Palazzo de La Salle on Thursday 28 November. The 59th Exhibition of Photography, which can be visited until 19 De- cember, will showcase the win- ning photos of the MPS' Annual National Competition. Established in 1961, the Malta Photographic Society has a rich legacy spanning 63 years. This year's event saw an impressive participation of 77 photogra- phers who submitted a total of 708 works. After a rigorous selec- tion process, 120 digital projected images and 119 prints have been chosen for the exhibition. The entries were judged on three key criteria: technique (camera work, editing, and presentation), mood (success in communicating the message and the photogra- pher's expression), and originality (creativity and unique outlook). This year's awards include seven special distinctions: two for dig- ital images in the Best Still Life and Best Nature categories; and five for prints – in the Best Por- trait, Best Street Photography, Best Landscape, Best Architec- ture, and the newly introduced Unmistakably Malta category, aimed at capturing the essence of Malta through the eyes of Maltese photographers. A distinguished panel of 14 judges, including guest Master Craftsman from the UK, Mr. Ray Lowe, evaluated the entries. Mr. Lowe brings with him over 50 years of professional photogra- phy experience and 35 years in international judging, having held esteemed roles such as President of the British Institute of Pro- fessional Photographers and the Master Photographers Associa- tion. The Maltese judges, led by Ruben Buhagiar, Chairperson of the Judging Committee, repre- sent the 'who's who' of the local photography scene. Buhagiar, who also serves as President of the Malta Photo- graphic Society, expressed the society's pride in this year's event. "The Malta Photographic Socie- ty's annual exhibition has become a symbol of artistic excellence in the local photography commu- nity," he comments. "This year's submissions have surpassed ex- pectations, not only in volume but in quality, with each piece telling a story and evoking a range of emotions. Buhagiar goes on to explain how exhibiting photography of- fers participants and the MPS three distinct benefits: "Firstly, it fosters greater awareness of cur- rent styles, themes, and strengths, while also revealing areas that can be developed further as a club. Secondly, the exhibition provides an opportunity for a reflective re- view of the members' portfolios, offering a fresh perspective on their work over the past year or even years. "Finally, while digital images encourage broader participation, the exhibition gives photogra- phers to opportunity to print their photos, which ultimately brings out the unique character of a photograph, giving it a signif- icance and stature that surpasses the digital realm," he concludes. The exhibition aims to foster a deeper appreciation for pho- tography and provides a vital plat- form for local artists to express their creativity. Visitors can look forward to viewing a wide spec- trum of images, from evocative portraits to captivating nature scenes, all displayed in the histor- ic setting of the Malta Society of Arts' Art Galleries at Palazzo de La Salle. Underscoring the importance of this collaboration, Adrian Mamo, President of the Malta Society of Arts, says. "We are pleased to host the Malta Photographic Society's 59th National Competition & Ex- hibition. Palazzo de La Salle has long been a hub for artistic ex- pression, and we are delighted to support and showcase the excep- tional photographic talent that Malta has to offer. We look for- ward to welcoming visitors to ex- perience this unique collection." The 59th National Competi- tion & Exhibition of Photogra- phy 2024, organised by the Mal- ta Photographic Society, can be visited during the Malta Society of Arts' opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, and Sat- urdays 9am to 1pm. Admission is free, so don't miss this opportuni- ty to immerse yourself in the art of photography. For more details about the exhibition please vis- it www.artsmalta.org/events or www.mpsmalta.com. Above: All Lit Up by Anna Tabone, Left: Edge of Infinity by Karl Sammut