2nd Prize goes to the image: ‘At the very beginning.’ by Aabdulazim (Egypt), Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 4.0 Download Link
An in-depth look at Wiki Loves Africa’s International Photography 2nd Prize winner: “At the very beginning” by Ahmed Mahmoud Abdulazim (Egypt)
“One photograph is always worth a thousand words.” — Ahmed Mahmoud Abdulazim
Bathed in the pale light of early morning, an elderly Egyptian farmer sits astride his first corn harvest of the day, borne by a donkey, making his way along a dirt path. Dressed in a white thobe, his figure is framed by diagonal rays of light and soft, delicate shadow beneath him. It’s a moment of quiet dignity — an intimate glimpse into the enduring rituals of agricultural life and the unbroken connection between land, labour, and sustenance.
For photographer Abdulazim, the image reflects both tradition and resilience:
“A traditional farmer starts his day in the harvest season by harvesting some corns [sic] while riding his traditional means of transportation,” he explains.
File:My personal portrait.jpg by Aabdulazim, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Capturing the scene through the lens of this year’s Farm to Plate theme deepened his awareness of the human effort behind food production: “I’ve realised how much time and effort it takes for just a simple meal!”
The jury was equally moved by the photograph’s understated power. Juror Alan Levine reflected on his own evolving perception of the image: “In the third round, I first rated this photo low, that it was ordinary, but the more I studied the composition, the more I liked it. It has strong visual elements and ideal placement of the man and donkey on the left third, and the rays of light from the top right give it an almost spiritual presence. The pure white of his clothing amplifies this, and the lines of the road draw you deeper into the frame. Finally, the idea of basic tasks being done efficiently in the era of machines brings a strong sense of humanity.”
For Abdulazim, winning the Wiki Loves Africa prize has helped grow an audience for his work: “Winning in the Wiki Loves Africa competition had a positive impact on my work and on the interaction and engagement of my followers due to the excellent reputation of the competition over the years.”
To download Ahmed’s winning photograph from Wikimedia Commons, click here!