KARACHI: The Co-curricular committee of Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry (LCMD) recently organised the Dental Digital Photography 2023 Competition, aiming to promote creativity among its BDS students from various professional years, providing them with a platform to showcase their artistic talents.
Under the guidance of expert dental professionals, this competition was organized by Prof Dr Navid Rashid Qureshi, Principal of LCMD, Dr Saad Usmani, Chairperson of the Co-Curricular Committee, Dr Sadaf Asrar, Secretary of the Co-Curricular Committee, Dr Wajida Jawed, Coordinator of the Co-Curricular Committee, and facilitated by Dr Mahnoor Zahid. Dr Arsalan Shahid, Senior Registrar of the Department of Pharmacology, and Dr Marium Umoodi, Demonstrator in the Department of Prosthodontics, hosted the event.
The contest aimed to encourage students to explore their talents beyond academics and express their aesthetic sensibilities through the lens. This unique competition emphasises the representation of reality while prioritising artistic expression over objectivity. Participants employed various techniques, composition, tonality, and a distinctive visual language uncommon in other photography categories.
With over 33 participants from all professional years of BDS at LCMD, the competition was well-represented. The breakdown of entries included 18 from 1st Professional BDS, 8 from 2nd Professional, 2 from 3rd Professional, and 5 from Final Professional BDS.
The event commenced with a welcome note delivered by Dr Sadaf Asrar, Secretary of the Co-Curricular Committee.
A panel of judges, composed of respected dental professionals with a keen eye for dental aesthetics, evaluated the submissions. The judging panel included Prof Dr Naheed Najmi, HOD Operative Dentistry, Prof Dr Uzma Zareef, HOD Oral Pathology, Dr Samir Azeem Qadri, HOD Oral Medicine, and Dr M Touseef Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Oral Pathology.
The competition categories were divided into 1st and 2nd Professional BDS and 3rd & Final Professional BDS, with participants submitting both individual and group entries. Entries were evaluated based on criteria such as innovative technique, composition, contrast, creativity, lighting, focus, and adherence to the theme.
The winners of the contest were announced in various categories:
1st & 2nd Professional BDS: The first position was secured by a group of participants from the 1st Professional BDS, which included M Hashim Gazdar, M Shaharyar Abdullah, M Umaid Noor, M Areeb, Rahayma Hayat, Minahil Zahid, Sana Hussain Memon, Maheera Junaid, Nabeera Baig, and Nameera Sohail. The second position was claimed by another group of participants from the 1st Professional BDS, consisting of Warisha Nadeem, Warisha Asif, Maheen Maqsood, Salman Jamil, and Shayak Jan. The third position was secured by an individual participant from the 2nd Professional BDS, Arouba Mukhtar.
3rd & Final Professional BDS: In the 3rd & Final Professional BDS category, the first position was awarded to Maryum Zakaria, an individual participant. The second position was attained by a group of participants from the 3rd Professional BDS, namely Abdullah Ali, Muhammad Huzaifa, and Hafsa Haq. Lastly, the third position was claimed by another individual participant from the Final Professional BDS, Amna Batool.
The session concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks from Dr Saad Usmani, Associate Professor and HOD of the Department of Anatomy, Chairperson of the Co-Curricular Committee. The event was appreciated for its emphasis on creativity, participants engagement, efficient time management, and the acquisition and application of valuable knowledge in the field of dental photography.
Dr Usmani thanked the Co-Curricular Committee and the entire LCMD community for creating a platform for all students to showcase their talents under one roof.