sometimes it’s easier for me to express myself with silent images than with words

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Katara Art Center interviewed photographer Jaber AlAzmeh for a short history of his imagemaking. The images enclosed here were sourced from his work entitled Traces, which will be shown in Katara Art Center from the 31st of January through the 27th of February.

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Katara Art Center: Are you the type who always carries a camera?

Jaber AlAzmeh: Recently I have been using my mobile camera! It’s fun. But otherwise the answer is no, I only take my camera along when I know almost exactly what I want to do or search for. The most important effort and creativity in photography comes before releasing the shutter.

KAC: When did you start making images? How would you describe that process?

JAA: I started drawing & painting at an early age and I was passionate about creating images since then. Photography came later and is obviously my favorite medium.

KAC: How much do you invest in the idea of catching the right moment in photography?

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JAA: I’m not much of a “right moment” photographer, as you just said I might plan before or conceptualize but still I only like to plan my work to a certain extent. When I’m working I need to leave a big space for myself to be spontaneous natural and simple.

KAC: As Traces was made on location, how do you feel limitations of distance and time have influenced your work in a studio and abroad?

JAA: Distance from your home is not pleasant especially when one had to leave against his feelings, but this distance actually pushed me to work harder on the series I already started in relation to my country and the revolution of the people in Syria and my productivity abroad became much higher. So maybe it did not have a negative effect on my work after all. Every bit of this world has something to offer and other things to discover.

KAC: Since photography can be seen as altogether truthful, invasive and scientific (as in documentary photography, news, and forensic evidence), how can an image be both honest and false at the same time?

JAA: It’s a different approach when one is doing photography as art, I don’t think you need to be honest as in copying the real

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world, on the contrary, since photography (technically) is a photocopy machine of reality and the people around us it is quite an interesting challenge to bring out something unreal through this copying machine! It’s a challenge I enjoy every time I hold up my camera against reality.

KAC: Looking at Traces in Qatar, how do you intend to further explore these themes in your photography workshops?

JAA: When teaching photography I try my best not to influence my students with my own work or themes as I believe the real role of a teacher (after exceeding technical necessities) is to bring out and encourage their own personality and spirit in their images. Personally I have a theme I’m already enjoying and working on here in Qatar but the project is still in its early stages. As for the workshop, I do not prefer to prepare themes in advance, I would rather leave it to be decided after interacting with the students themselves.

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JAA: I don’t consider myself to be a good speaker; using language and words is not a skill I have. So sometimes I might have difficulty answering questions. While I feel it’s easier for me to communicate visually, sometimes it’s easier for me to express myself with silent images than with words. Image-making is a passion and it’s my favorite method of communication.

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