Jamwaktu.com – University of Jember (UNEJ) student Ahmad Farhan won third place in the International Healthcare Photography competition held in December 2023. This success brought pride not only to him but also to UNEJ, as it demonstrates Indonesia’s exceptional talent in medical photography.
The International Healthcare Photography competition is a prestigious photography competition that challenges participants from around the world to submit work that depicts the reality and beauty of healthcare. The competition assesses not only the artistic quality of the resulting photographs but also how they convey a message about the importance of health, medical care, and human life in general.
Raising Awareness Through Photography
Farhan, a student from the Faculty of Medicine at UNEJ, explained that the theme of his work is “Human Resilience in the Face of Disease.” In his photo, he depicts a patient undergoing treatment in a hospital, with doctors and nurses working hard in the medical room in the background.
With sharp composition, dramatic lighting, and strong use of color, Farhan successfully created an image that is not only visually impressive but also meaningful.
Farhan said, “I want to show the human side of the medical world, that besides advanced technology and equipment, what’s most important is the patient’s courage and mental resilience in fighting disease. This photography depicts a healing process that relies not only on medicine, but also on the will to live.”
In-Depth Creative Process
Farhan explained that the creative process of producing this work was not easy. He spent months observing and exploring how moments in the medical world can be framed into a powerful visual story. He even visited various hospitals in Jember and the surrounding area to get the opportunity to photograph various medical conditions firsthand.
“As a medical student, I am often exposed to various medical conditions, both in the field and in the classroom. Through photography, I want to show that although the medical world can sometimes seem harsh, there is a human side that we must appreciate,” he added.
Challenges and Fierce Competition
This year’s International Healthcare Photography Competition attracted more than 200 participants from around the world, including professional photographers and students in the healthcare field. With the stiff competition, Farhan faced significant challenges, given that many participants had more experience in medical photography.
However, Farhan’s ability to combine professional photography techniques with a deep understanding of the medical world set his work apart from the rest. The jury, consisting of photography and medical experts, judged the work based on technique, creativity, and the ability to communicate a social message through images.
Support from the University of Jember
The Rector of UNEJ, Prof. Dr. Moh. Hasan, expressed his pride in the achievements of the medical students.
“We are very proud of Ahmad Farhan’s achievements. This is proof that education at UNEJ is not only focused on academic aspects, but also provides space for students’ creativity to develop. We hope this achievement will inspire other students to continue to excel in whatever fields they pursue,” said Prof. Hasan.
Farhan’s supervisor, Dr. Ir. Dwi Purnama, also expressed his high appreciation for Farhan’s work. He stated that Farhan’s ability to combine medical knowledge with the art of photography shows great potential for the development of a more humanistic medical profession in the future.
Hope for the Future
Farhan expressed that this award is not only a personal achievement, but also a motivation to continue developing his skills in medical photography. He hopes that through his photography, he can educate the public about the importance of health awareness and how art can be a means of showcasing the human side of the medical world.
As the third-place winner, Farhan will have the opportunity to exhibit his work in an international photography exhibition next year. He also plans to continue exploring photography with other social themes, particularly those related to healthcare.
