Interview

Ahmad Kaddourah

Ahmad Kaddourah began his journey in 2019 by focusing on capturing architectural scenes using photography’s fine art concepts to explore further about different techniques in black and white photos, which infused with long exposer items.

Ahmad Kaddourah, Photo by Av Skit

Please introduce yourself

I am a photographer from Palestine, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. My interest has fundamentally emerged from an architectural background since I studied for a Bachelor's degree in architectural design. Later on, through elaborating my study with my passion for photography, I began my journey in 2019 by focusing on capturing architectural scenes using photography’s fine art concepts to explore further different techniques in black and white photos which infused with long exposer items. I am always looking for creativity to achieve the perfect outcome that fulfills the viewer's eyes taking into consideration their different perspectives. The ultimate goal in mind is to spread my vision and art to reach as many people as possible and to learn and collaborate with other photographers to grow up within a professional community. 

 

Where do you live, does your place of residence inspire you to take pictures?

I am living in the United Arab Emirates in its capital city Abu Dhabi. U.A.E is a country full of architectural buildings with a modern character. Indeed, it is a country that inspires me and always cares about architecture and urban development. It always strives to be in the elite.

Therefore, U.A.E is always looking for the assistance of many companies, experts, engineers, architects, such as Zaha Hadid, Jeanne Nouvel, Rafael Vinoly, Rasem Badran, and others, and they, in turn, have designed for us a significant architectural feature of great beauty.

 

Do you have a photographic background?

I have always been looking for a hobby to practice and enjoy. A hobby that expresses and offers me and the surrounding community a benefit. After considerable research socially & technically, photography and architectural photography, in particular, came to me. So quickly and without going into other fields since I have a fundamental route because of my bachelor studies in Architecture.

 

How comes that you are interested in photography?

My interest in photography emerged from the fact of applying all of my inspirational ideas and then convert them into images, and that is only when I can reach the architectural buildings that help me with that, but in return, I have some sadness when I cannot achieve this.

I am also interested in sharing my work through social networking sites and constantly communicating with photographers, experts, and evaluators, as I always take part in international competitions and high-level photography sites. Now, Photography has become a lifestyle.

 

Which photographer has inspired your photography?

Honestly, the inspiring photographers are many, and every picture expresses me with certain similarities to my thoughts is inspiring regardless of who made it. 

 

Why do you work in black and white/color?

Good question. The black and white (mono) option is always my first choice to deal with my work for several reasons. Black and white are compatible with my ideas, philosophy, and artistic message that I would like to convey to the recipient. Its beauty comes from the characterized by neutrality and professionalism, let us agree with each photographic situation its aesthetic touch Among these different modes, black and white photography has a special charm and elegance that does not diminish in popularity and brilliance over time or by its different application and exploitation and other different shooting modes.

The most important characteristic of black and white photography is its main deficiency, as the colors disappear and it satisfies us with the two basic colors, which need to be compensated for the vitality that the image lacks by the lack of color. Here comes the role of exploiting the light, shadows, depth, and the special artistic glimpse, also it highlights more details in the image, directs the eye to the main subject of the image, and keeps you away from distraction, and thus attracts the eye of the recipient to the subject, also to process it is more flexible because you can penetrate the smallest details in the image and paint the picture as you want.

 

How do you prepare for a photo? 

Preparing to photograph is an integral part of the successful work, it must be planned before going to the location by following these steps: Determine the location to be photographed, view all the pictures taken of the place and can be accessed by searching on the Internet, and that will help you in making an initial visualization of the image that you will get, consider the weather, prepare all your equipment, arrive at the location early, preferably 3 hours after sunrise or 3 hours before sunset if the shooting location is external and exploring and examining the place completely before starting the filming process. All this makes you imagine more to choose the appropriate angle. You must always “visualize before you shoot.”

 

What are your technique and the creation process?

Fine art in black and white: After the development in the field of digital imaging, monochrome lovers made very large progress to the image to present it to the recipients with a complete, integrated artistic image, and they call this Fine Art or Abstract. 

 

Which projects would you like to tackle?

Part of my plan is to visit countries such as Roma, Barcelona, Al Andalus, Iran that embraced ancient civilizations & architecture throughout history as Roman, Renaissance, Gothic and Islamic Architecture. I would also like to visit the architectural buildings of a modern character designed by prominent architects such as Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Louis Kahn.

 

What do you do in your life besides photography?

I am an architect who has a profound interest in design & architecture. Besides my hobby is photography, I love to read books & watch movies besides social and familial activities.

Thanks a lot Ahmad Kaddourah for the Interview

Cheese Tower
Conch
Cubes
Exit To
Leaning Tower
Look Up
Louvre Museum Abudhabi
Low angle

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