Naturally Stunning: Malaysian Photographer wins Big!
In a world brimming with filters and Instagram likes, it’s refreshing to see someone pick up the ol’ camera and capture something real. Malaysian Nur Syaireen Natasya Azaharin has done just that, snagging a prestigious award in the Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year competition. Her award-winning shot? A breathtaking capture of smoking volcanoes in East Java, Indonesia. Talk about a hot topic!
Nur, who hails from Selangor, took first place in the competition’s smartphone category. Yes, you heard that right. She didn’t haul around a couple of grand’s worth of camera gear; no, she shot this beauty using a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. Looks like it’s time to give that old DSLR a break and embrace the magic of mobile photography!
Her photograph, aptly titled “Volcanoes”, captures the serene morning light illuminating the ominous mounts. The image features a modest pyrocumulus cloud perched atop Mount Semeru (the central peak in the background) while Mount Bromo offers up a smorgasbord of smoke and steam. Picture this: you wake up early, set out to capture a dreamy sunrise, and boom—you end up with an award-winning masterpiece! If that doesn’t make your morning coffee taste even better, I don’t know what will.
As part of her accolades, Nur took home a cash prize of £2,500 (RM14,190). That’s a nice little bonus for simply capturing the world’s breathtaking weather and climate phenomena. Perhaps she can use a fraction of that money for a vacation somewhere—preferably somewhere without volcanoes, just to be safe.
This is the ninth year of the Weather Photographer of the Year competition, recognizing the stunning artistry that showcases the planet’s weather events. It also brings attention to the pressing environmental issues impacting our Earth. Because, let’s be honest, if we don’t start taking care of this beautiful blue marble we call home, we might end up being the only species that can’t take a decent vacation selfie anymore. Just a thought!
For those who want to feast their eyes on the full list of this year’s winners and the stunning shortlisted entries, you can find that here. Spoiler alert: you might want to start packing your bags and heading to East Java for your photo ops!
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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Malaysian photographer Nur Syaireen Natasya Azaharin has achieved remarkable recognition as one of the winners at this year’s prestigious Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year competition, thanks to her breathtaking photograph of smoking volcanoes set against the dramatic landscape of East Java, Indonesia.
Hosted by the esteemed Royal Meteorological Society in the United Kingdom, the Selangor-based artist distinguished herself by clinching first place in the highly competitive smartphone category with her captivating image featuring the iconic Mount Semeru alongside Mount Bromo bathed in the soft glow of early morning light.
Her award-winning photograph, appropriately titled “Volcanoes,” was taken with her Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 and brilliantly captures a small pyrocumulus cloud perched atop the majestic Mount Semeru, while wisps of smoke and steam rise gracefully from the crater of Mount Bromo in the foreground, creating a mesmerizing scene of nature’s power.
For her impressive achievement of first place, Nur Syaireen Natasya received a substantial cash prize of £2,500 (approximately RM14,190), acknowledging her talent and dedication to the art of photography.
The competition, now in its ninth year, is renowned for showcasing the most striking weather and climate photography from around the globe, while also serving as a vital platform to raise awareness about the pressing environmental issues that threaten the planet.
The full list of 2024 shortlisted entries and winners can be found here.
