Abdul Salam Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijeri’s love for photography began with the camera which he recorded his childhood moments. This led him to take all kinds of pictures and as he traveled within the Kingdom, the camera became a means of recording scenes which attracted him. He said, “I started taking pictures years ago but three years ago, I became more serious. That’s when I met Abdullah Al-Thahiry who is responsible for the website ‘Adasaat Arabia’ (Arabic lenses). I began exhibiting my work on the website and hearing opinions from professional photographers who encouraged me in my work.
Which are your favorite photographs?
I like to name my photographs rather than leaving them to the imagination of the viewer. They are part of my thinking and way of looking at the world. When doing portraits, however, I leave them to viewers to treat them according their imagination. I prefer nature and portraits — though of course the latter is not easy to do here.
Do you use the camera to tell the truth?
Telling the truth is a necessity, no matter how harsh it may be. I’m all for conveying truth its harshness as long it shakes my internal feelings and because, in the end, I am in control of the image. And I take the photograph as I see it. The viewer is then free to respond or not.
What about your style?
I like a combination of colors and black and white. I probably prefer colored pictures on the computer while I prefer black and white if the picture is printed.
Do you use the latest photographic technology?
I’m in favor of using the latest technology and technical processes so that the picture comes out in a way that pleases me. There’s a new technology related to aesthetics which carries a message called ‘photo art.’ In other words, I observe the scene until I get the shot that I want and sometimes I find that the scene is asking to be taken; all that is needed is for me to adjust the light setting and press the button.
What is the relationship between the Saudi photographer and the desert?
The Saudi photographer is very well-placed to photograph the desert. Most foreigners admit that coping with the desert and its elements is not easy.
How does the community react to the photographer?
Society doesn’t understand the nature of what I do or my love of photography. And sometimes the presence of the camera aggravates them. Some look at the camera and the photographer as an intrusion into their lives; on the other hands, there are those who understand what I do and are supportive.
What do you think of Saudi women photographers?
Saudi women photographers have surpassed men with their distinctive choice of names for their pictures. I think this is because average viewers are first attracted by the name or title of a picture and then they decide whether they want to look at it. That gives the photographer a certain amount of power and control over people’s reactions to the images.
Do you still have your first photographs?
Yes, I do. I look at them and see where I started and how I have got to where I am today. They are a good lesson for me.
