WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIFICALLY TO TELL STORIES?

There is a famous quote that says, A picture is worth a thousand words. I tried to deliver my messages through drawing, but I found out that I am not blessed with this talent, so I considered photography. Although I found out that photography limits me in one picture to tell a story. I tried to take up videography because its not as limited, but I couldnt abandon photography so I started to develop my photographic style to tell my stories.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?

I already had background experience through my childhood; I was fascinated with different types of pictures, what I found around the house, in magazines or pictographs in books. I always wondered what certain pictures convey or what they are trying to say. Later on as I grew older, I started seeing my own perception in pictures and decoded messages in my own way. I started to reflect my perceptions with the first mobile I got that had a camera. From that point on I moved to a digital camera, a semi-professional camera, then I got several freelancing jobs in editing, which made me afford a professional DSLR Camera.

WHAT MAKES YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STANDOUT IN THIS FIELD?

My main talent and methodology is conceptual photography. I happen to be one of very few photographers in the Middle East who practice this type of art. I always make sure to highlight the main concept or theme that I convey through my pictures. Another aspect that makes my work standout is that I use raw material rather than graphics; when I need to photograph a fire, I light up a real fire out of scratch rather than just adding it with editing programs.

THE WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY HAS DEVELOPED SO MUCH IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS CHANGED?

Nationwide it improved with the introduction of new equipment. Currently in Egypt our cultural perception has improved that one can be inspired with an idea that carries a shocking perception without ignoring it.

IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY STORIES LUST ESSENTIAL, ANGELS DO LIE AND RAW HUMAN NATURE SEDUCTION HAS BEEN DISPLAYED IN A WAY OR ANOTHER, IS IT LIKE A MOTTO IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?

The word seduction comes alien to my ears in such context. Though, art in general - photography in my case- seduces our imagination. It tackles our hidden emotions and inspires us to experience whats unusual and unfamiliar. In a deeper context; I dont personally think a picture of an autumn tree is less seductive than a picture of a naked woman.

TO WHAT EXTENT, DO YOU BELIEVE, SHOULD PHOTOS STAY MYSTERIOUS?

As far as a human eye and mind can decode it; and at the end everybody sees it from his point of view and life experience.

WHAT FACTORS AND TOOLS HELP YOU CONVEY YOUR MESSAGES DURING YOUR PHOTO SHOOTS?

Mostly elements of life.

IF YOU THINK OF ONE STORY OR MESSAGE TO BASE ALL YOUR FUTURE SHOOTS ON, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Human beings have a lot of feelings that they dont know much about. If I have to pick a message it will be the message of feelings because it differs from one person to the other.

WHICH SHOOT OF YOURS IS YOUR FAVOURITE SO FAR AND WHY?

My favourite shoot is Raw Human Nature because its based on self-experience.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACE IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

I dont use Photoshop to add anything to the picture. For example, I use real fire, real water, and real colours so that it doesnt give me the option of repeating the shoot.

WHICH SHOOT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING SO FAR AND WHY?

One where I was shooting a model wearing a wedding dress and setting it on fire just to clarify that not every bride is happy on her wedding day. Some get married for money, family pressure, or even revenge.