Friday 26 / April / 2024
Does the intent behind a picture that speaks a thousand words also require a thousand words?
Well, more often than not, they do, because to explain to someone why this photo was taken isn’t just about why you wanted to take that particular photo, but so much more than that.
It’s about the angles, about the play of light and shadow, about the intention of the photographer, what sort of message he wanted to present (and why he wanted to do so), about his background, his training, how he decided to approach the project, and so much more.
To find out what made photographers in Oman so passionate about their hobby, we spoke to four photographers in Oman. While two of them are based in Salalah in the south, the other two are in Muscat. Irrespective of where they live or where they come from, all four of them are united by a love and passion for photography, proving once again that art truly does transcend man-made communities and boundaries.
Mohammed Al Barami
Wildlife photographer, Salalah
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A native of Dhofar, Mohammed Al Barami balances his profession – a full-time job – with his passion, wildlife photography. While it is fair to say that both require vast amounts of sincerity, dedication and passion, Mohammed has learned to provide those qualities to both his job and his hobby.
What’s more is that he has mastered the art of knowing not just which discipline requires more passion at any particular time, but also how much of that passion is required. While it might be a fine line that divides too little from too much passion, knowing how to sustain that passion and provide as much of it as is required is what makes someone a master of their trade.
“Although I studied geology at Kuwait University, my hobby has always been to pursue the nature and wildlife of Dhofar. I am always working on showing how beautiful the nature and environment in Dhofar is, and have been interested in wildlife and nature for about 10 years. I specialise in the documentation of wildlife and nature, and I do this by taking pictures of the birds that migrate from the cities to more natural areas.”
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What inspired your passion for photography?
I am self-taught, and actually, it was after I finished secondary school that I developed an interest in photography. There was a lot of free time before I joined the college. I had a lot of encouragement from my friends, and my parents also gave me plenty of support. However, I also have a full-time job here in Salalah, where I live. Many people think this is what I do for a living, but photography is a hobby from me.
What advice would you give others?
There have been times when I have spent many days away from home, particularly during my vacations, just to capture that one perfect photo. The most important thing I would say I have learned from this hobby would be the importance of patience. There have been times when I have spent more than three hours without moving just to take a photo. It is patience that will lead to improving your dedication and rewarding your hard work.
What plans do you have for the future?
What really inspires me is the city of Salalah itself. It is a natural city and it inspires any photographer to improve himself, where there are many stunning views you can enjoy. My plan is collect and document all my photos on wildlife in a book, and then publish it. My advice to others would be to keep the environment clean and to look after it, because it contains so much life and natural beauty.
Abdullah Al Hinai
Founder, 4K Oman
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A manager at a leading bank in Oman, Abdullah Al Hinai is also the founder of 4K Oman, a company that specialises in using drones to capture the country’s stunning landscape.
Now in his forties, Abdullah first realised the ability and potential drones could unlock when he attented a technology conference in London a few years ago, where he was shown how drones could take shots of areas that were hard to access and provide stunning panoramas of landscapes, showing people a perspective that was different to shots taken from the ground...a view (no pun intended) that Al Hinai seems to share.
Abdullah owns several drones, including a DJI Mavic and two Phantoms, but after the introduction of a drone licence in the country, has asked people to train with drones before they splash the cash on an expensive one that they may not need, only to see it crash because they don’t know how to fly it properly.
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What inspired you to take up photography?
When you explore a place by walking around, you are only viewing it through one perspective. You may not see a place for what it is actually worth until you are able to see it from different angles, and that was what I was able to see with drones, even if it is just a simple building that you are walking past.
It takes me about two to three days to shoot at a location, and then a week to edit all of this footage. My schedule is pretty tight at the moment, but I do this whenever I find time because it is a passion of mine.
What advice would you give others?
“Until very recently, the Public Authority for Civil Aviation had a ‘fly at your own risk’ policy, but now you need a licence to fly drones, so make sure you always follow the law in this area, because drones are expensive and you don’t want to end up making a mistake. Make sure you always train with a drone, don’t just buy the most expensive ones because they look good; you need about a year before you get the grip with a drone.
What plans do you have for the future?
Oman is a vast country and has plenty of natural beauty, unlike the other GCC nations, and I want to make a documentary that captures the country, all the way from Musandam to Salalah.
Mohammed Tabooq,
Nature photographer, Salalah
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Mohammed Tabooq may have stopped being a teacher, but that doesn’t mean he has stopped teaching. Having worked as a teacher in the Dhofar region for more than 15 years, the 42-year-old has now started his own business, which has given him more time to pursue his passion – photography.
Although he really enjoys his time behind the lens, Mohammed doesn’t go to locations with the intention of taking photos. It’s just that these opportunities present themselves to him when he is out and about with his family.
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What inspired you to take up photography?
I started photography in 1994. It is an outlet for me to let out my energy. It is one of the most beautiful hobbies that you can find. I have never studied photography, but I like landscapes, and I take a lot of photos in the Dhofar. I don’t get any money for photography, it is all for free.
If a ministry is doing something that actually benefits people, I am definitely willing to do it for free, but if it is a corporate event or an event that is going to bring money into the country, then I feel better about taking money. If it is a movement or an event that has a social cause, then I do not charge money.
What advice would you give others?
I have worked as a teacher for 15 years, but now as a businessman, I am free to pursue photography as my passion. I am married and I have five children. It is less about me going out photography, but more about me going to a place with my family and my car. If I see a landscape or something I like, then I will take a photo of it.
What plans do you have for the future?
I am always happy to teach people how to be photographers. If we work together, then I can teach them how to take photos while on the road. It is less to do with teaching and more to do with transferring a skill through direct interaction with them.
Sanak Roy Choudhury
Freelance photographer, Muscat
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Being an eye specialist would certainly help Sanak in best knowing what we see. However, how we see them is something he has learned from his time behind the lens. A long-term Indian expat in Oman, Sanak’s passion for photography was ignited when he decided to take part in a Muscat Festival photography competition a few years ago.
Excelling in that competition gave him the opportunity to showcase his talent to others, and provided him the confidence to pursue this hobby. Although he has made many sacrifices to ensure his hobby is given the time and room to grow, Sanak is blessed with an understanding family who support his photographic interests.
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What inspired you to take up photography?
There was a Muscat Festival competition a few years ago that I decided to enter in, because I have always loved photography. I did really well in that competition, and that gave me the confidence to explore this further because then I realised the kind of photos I could take, and everyone else got to see that as well.
There are times when I wake up really early in the morning to catch the early sunrise, because the light that is available at that time of the day is really the best. I work until about 2pm, so I am free to pursue photography after that. That is why many of my photographs are in the evening or at night. The light you get during a sunset is simply beautiful.
What advice would you give others?
“I think the most important thing this job has taught me is to be patient. There have been times when I have waited for hours just to capture the perfect sunrise. If you are patient, then you will be able to capture the right photo. If you look at that photo in the end, then you will see that it is so worth it. Whenever I go on holiday with my family, I go to places that are really nice for photography. I previously went to Hungary and I recently travelled to Germany, and of course, we went around the city, but I used to wake up early sometimes to go and capture the photos in the right light.
What plans do you have for the future?
I want to continue to improve my photography, and would like to provide advice to others. Some people say that post-processing is not good for photography, but I would disagree. A photo is like the ingredients. If you have good ingredients, you can make a nice meal. But to do that, you must have a good chef and the right techniques and spices. That is what post-processing is like.
The human eye can pick up far more details than any lens, so you need to highlight these things when you make your photos. There is a difference between photo manipulation and photo processing. I am not talking about taking a cloud from a different photo and putting it in this one. I am talking about photo processing, which is the technique of bringing out the best in a photo.
The Photographic Society of Oman
While there are many photographers – some skilled and seasoned, others budding amateurs – the Photographic Society of Oman serves as a guide and so much more for photo enthusiasts in the country, as well as those who come from overseas to take photos and videos of the country.
A space for discussion, a place where people can learn from each other, gain access to resources, collaborate together and discuss ways to improve their craft, the Photographic Society of Oman was established on 9 July 2012, by the Royal Orders of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Formerly known as the Oman Photography Club since 1993, the society is affiliated with the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science.
A statement from the PSO said: “The Society seeks to bring added value to photography, hone the artistic aesthetic of photographers, and create photographic achievements word wide. In order to meet its goals, the Society holds weekly conferences and a range of activities and events, including trips and solo and collective exhibits, in addition to criticism and visual education sessions.
“The Society is a member of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), whose members participate in FIAP-organised competitions, fairs and conferences,” added the PSO. “Given the accomplishments of its members—winners of the Youth Photography World Cup and holders of many more individual and group successes and impressive initiatives—the Society was recently made the official FIAP headquarters in the Middle-East, placing Oman on the map for all member-states.”
The following are the objectives of the Photographic Society of Oman:
· Spreading the culture of photography for photographers and upgrading this art.
· Encouraging amateur photographers, embracing, developing the talents and fostering their artwork.
· Deepening the spirit of cultural and artistic communication between generations and strengthening their connections.
· Strengthening relationships and cooperation among the members of the society and regional and international photography associations.
· Representing the Sultanate in international forums in the field of photography such as exhibitions, competitions and conferences.
To achieve the objectives, the Society is committed to the following:
· Conducting lectures, seminars and training courses and Art Fairs.
· Issuing publications and periodicals on the affairs of photography, while highlighting the activities of the Society.
· Participating in conferences, seminars and events inside and outside the Sultanate.
· Supporting and encouraging members to establish their own art exhibitions inside and outside the Sultanate and helping them to participate in the activities organised by the Society.
Where can they be found?
The Photographic Society of Oman are in Seeb, near the new Al Araimi Boulevard Mall.
Nearby landmarks include the Seeb Health Centre, the First Royal School of Music and the regional office of the Diwan of the Royal Court. They can be reached on +968 24188897
