Hafiz has always been involved in art. He used to paint and sketch when he was younger, but he didn't have the patience for it. Later he discovered the more immediate rewards of photographing portraits and fashion. “My favorite thing to do is to create art from photography," he said. "My clients are both advertisers and individuals."
Arab News interviewed Hafiz about his experience in photography and photo editing.
Photography to me is a way to express and rebel. I find it very easy to express a feeling or a certain mood in a photo; not just mine but also the mood of the people I shoot. Photography can give me the opportunity to capture such emotions and make them eternal.
I went to Cairo to study film-making which is my second passion after photography, and took some courses in photography, after that I started shooting my friends for fun and I enjoyed it very much, never thought of making it a profession, till one day one of my good friends told me that I should consider in making it at least a part time profession, and I did.
How much I love and enjoy it, the joy I get when I look at the people I shoot and how they are satisfied. It's a feeling that I never forget.
We all have our own visions and ways of expressing our work. I guess it's that I do not have boundaries in mine. I like to think way outside of the box!
I am using a lot of cameras. My personal favorite is Nikon D500 and my favorite lens is the Telephoto AF Nikkor 85MM F/1.4D IF Autofocus Lens and the Nikkor 200mm f/4D IF-ED AF Micro Telephoto Lens - f/32 to 4
I rely on both natural and artificial. I am not a big fan of any computer manipulation unless it is necessary.
I used to use Photoshop before more but now I prefer in keeping it as natural as possible. But sometimes you need to retouch a few bits here and there.
EJ Bellocq. He was way ahead of his time. In the early 1900s sexuality was a taboo subject, but he was very well known for his obscene photography. I admire everyone who has the valor to think outside of the box for a change with no regrets.
The truth. I like to put matters on the spotlight make awareness and try to help people.
We have a lot of good photographers at the moment, but to be honest with you most of them are a bit safe and a little bit dreary for me, adding to that the lack of art and photography galleries, I am sure it will be way better and more open.
The dark side of ones character, the hidden secrets and things that are taboo and rebellious — and the early 1900's
There are a lot of favorite parts in taking photos. I enjoy the preparation for the shoot. I like the reaction of the people I shoot. After seeing the photo for the first time, the smile they give is priceless to me.
Make it as real as possible, and never give away your secret skills.
