On International Photography Day...Photographers to QNA: We Used Art to Document Place Features, Man Renaissance, Nature in Qatar
Doha, August 18 (QNA) - The world celebrates on Saturday the photo, the arts, sciences, and tools of photography, and honors photographers and their creativity, on International Photography Day, which falls on Aug.19 of each year.
On this day, the world restores the heritage of this wonderful human discovery (photography) and contemplates its present and future prospects in celebration of the photo as a tool of knowledge and documentation, a source of facts about society and nature, and a title of beauty and benefit.
On this occasion, photographers explained in exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) the importance of recalling the value and aesthetics of the photo, celebrating the efforts of photographers in employing this art in the service of society and people, and highlighting the development of its tools, methods, and schools. They pointed out to the role of the photographer as an author of books, documenting the landmarks of the place, the social, cultural and architectural heritage, and natural treasures in Qatar.
Photographer Mohammad Al Hasel Al Yafei - winner of more than 70 international and Arab awards in the field of photography, during which he won many gold medals, especially in the Austrian International Competition and the Al-Thani International Competition, and other competitions - noted the symbolism of celebrating the International Day of Photography, pointing to the importance of the image on all cultural, social, artistic, economic, sports and other aspects of life, as the world celebrates, on this day, the achievements of photographers and their impact on life, in order to perpetuate their continuous creativity, and to enhance their position on the local and international arenas.
Regarding his personal experience as an author of books in the field of photography, Al Hasel said that he published several books and organized photographic exhibitions in the field of photography with the aim of documenting the civilization and urban renaissance of the State of Qatar, the most important of which is the book (Msyan Doha) sponsored by the Ministry of Culture in 2014, pointing out that the title of his book was inspired by the daily language of the people, which means (evening Doha).
Al Yafei considered that the book is an aesthetic panorama that shows the extent of his love for the city of Doha by documenting its historical and heritage landmarks and modern buildings with a special vision by photographing them in the evening, adding that he will publish this year a documentary book entitled: Wild Flowers in the Qatari Environment, which will include artistic pictures of flowers in their environment that were photographed over a period of 25 years.
Mohammad Al Hasel Al Yafei stated that he will also soon publish a documentary book about his international achievements in the field of photography, entitled "My Story with the Lens", which will document his artistic experience since 1984.
In turn, photographer Khaled Al Musilmani - winner of 28 prestigious local and international awards and medals in this field - explained in his remarks to QNA the role of celebrating World Photography Day in highlighting the importance and vitality of this art as it is an indispensable means of documentation and preserving history.
He asserted that this occasion also constitutes a meeting place for all photographers, where through the events and activities that take place within this event, experiences are exchanged between them, and knowledge of the experiences of other photographers, in addition to seeing the latest technology in the world of imaging, as well as the opportunity it poses for companies producing imaging equipment to display their latest products.
Regarding the role of the photographer as an author and documenter, Al Musilmani said that the State of Qatar pays great attention to documenting history, heritage and the natural environment, and from this standpoint, he came up with the idea of issuing a book that contributes to supporting the state’s efforts in documenting Qatar's heritage, environment, customs and traditions, and published his book "Architectural Touches" in 2015, with the aim of providing the Qatari library with material that will have an impact on highlighting Qatar's identity and heritage, and reflects the aesthetics and innovations of Qatari architecture.
As for the value and importance of issuing books for photographers, Al Musilmani affirmed that it gains its importance from the fact that it documents and collects the work of the photographer, which helps him to spread and communicate his work to others. On the other hand, this contributes to documenting the field that the photographer is interested in, whether that field is related to documenting the Qatari environment, architecture, popular professions, etc.
Al Musilmani stated that he is currently working on issuing a new and more comprehensive book on the aesthetics, features and features of Qatari architecture, in which he will focus on the heritage and history of Qatari architecture in particular. (QNA)
