Interview with Alia Al-Shamsi
Oman3D Special Feature - December 2005
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Personal Details: |
Alia Al-Shamsi is the first professional female photographer from the United Arab Emirates. She is currently working as a full time photojournalist for two of Dubai's newspapers as the only female photographer. The following interview will explore Alia's journey to prove women's capability of excellence in a world dominated by men.
O3D: Thanks for taking the time to give us this opportunity. Could you please give us some of your background information?
Alia: I am a 23 year old half UAE national half Italian, born and raised in Dubai. I graduated from Griffith University: Queensland College of Arts with a bachelor in Photography majoring in Photojournalism. I have worked two months as a freelance designer and photographer before landing on my dream job as a full time photojournalist for Dubai's newspapers: Al Emarat El Youm and Emirates Today as the only female photographer.
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O3D: What inspired you to enter the field of photography?
Alia: I had always been inclined towards the arts, so pretty much knew I would head into that direction. In the beginning, I started studying Visual Communications in Dubai and there in the dark room I fell in love with photography. Perhaps this passion was due to the fact that my father's hobby has always been photography and when I was only six I took a photo which left my parents bedazzled so I had my first camera at the age of seven. After a few courses my photography professor was very supportive and told me that I should be thinking of taking photography as a career. My father was not enthusiastic at all, in fact, he was very much against it thinking it is not a good career and that there is nothing out there for me. The people felt that if it is not a business it won't work in Dubai. However, I finally managed to convince my parents to continue my studies and abroad and placed a bachelors choice of photography. This way all my design courses fell into electives and had to finish the core photography classes.
O3D: Was photography a fun subject to study? How were the teaching methods of the course?
Alia: Yes, it was fun, and no it wasn't easy. I had come from Dubai where the idea of look and click had no background on any research, history, philosophy, let alone technicality of the trade. I did not understand f-stops, aperture and all that, I was so much behind everyone. I had little time to catch up and had a miracle of supportive staff. We had to study chemistry, maths, and physics that dealt with the chemicals used in the labs as well as the whole study of lenses which was upsetting since I thought I would never have to study maths ever again! But it also consisted of teaching me to research my subject, which meant going to the library reading up on it as well as looking at how previous photographers had dealt with it. My favourite part was the philosophical side as well as art history, which just gave deeper meaning to how to read and interpret photographs through using visual language which was surprising as you would see more to the image than just the first impression.
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O3D: Could you please describe to us your daily schedule as a professional photographer?
I usually get a phone call the night before to inform me if I have any early assignments. I go there and take the shots then after I'm done I head back to the office and upload them. I choose my best shots then run them through to the picture editor who chooses the final images to go for print. Sometimes it happens that I work late and I send my photos through our FTP system which is like a wire system where anyone from the photography department or the picture editor can connect to so that they can download the images. Usually it gets hectic if you are on a night assignment and it has to be in for the next day paper because you will need to be back at the office to run the photos before 10:30pm which is when the paper is put to sleep.
O3D: Is there a photographer in particular that inspired your work?
Alia: I think that I am more inspired by everyday people. They are my true inspiration. I often spend more time to get to know the person I will photograph, they ease up and then I would start taking photos. I never leave a photo session the same, their stories change me, they influence me, and therefore inspire me.
O3D: What is your biggest achievement?
Alia: Getting the job! No, it is actually more than that, it is the trust and responsibilities that the people have given me. I was chosen as the sole photographer to go to Pakistan to cover the earthquake and I have also been sent out to Riyadh for an exclusive interview with Prince Al Waleed. I am so thankful for the chances that I have been given and from my side I will work hard to make sure I am worthy of that trust.
O3D: What is the most satisfactory feeling you get from being a photographer?
Alia: The freedom toe express beyond words, a photo sums up what can and what cannot be expressed in words. It takes you to places you would never have gone to, stories you never heard of. It is so enriching, everyday is a new day. Every person is unique and outstanding in their own little way.
O3D: Do you think the Arabian Gulf should encourage the field of photography?
Alia: I am very supportive to have more individuals from the GCC in the field of photography and the field of journalism in general. We cannot keep on relying on foreigners to write down our people's and our countries' stories. We are in need of an Arab point of view to send out to ourselves and the world. It is very hard for others to fully grasp our culture and our traditions and lifestyle. I see a bright future in the field of journalism, and even though I am sure that some will argue about the lack of freedom of speech, but I do not personally see it that way. Our countries seem to have loosened up a little bit, and now it is our turn to be smart and not misuse the freedom but speak out at the right time and in the right way.
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O3D: How does it feel being the first female Emarati photojournalist?
Alia: There is a lot of pressure, when I was given the job they told me that the future of female photojournalists is in my hand, if I don't succeed it will be seen as a bad experience, but if I do a door may open for the future generations. How dramatic! They really could have had that speech skipped! For that reason, I am not only trying to prove myself as a photojournalist, but as a woman in a field dominated by men.
O3D: What advice would you give to those who intend to enter the field of photography?
Alia: Never ever let anyone mess with your ethics, always stick to your beliefs and values. Be curious let it loose, try to get to know your subject, do your research, always spend a few minutes talking to the person as it puts them at ease and you see part of the personality coming through the photograph. And most important of all: Enjoy it, you chose this field because it is fun and artistic, so try taking photos in different ways and angles and you would be amazed of what you might end up with.
O3D: Final question, what camera(s) are you currently using?
Alia: I use the Canon 20D, which is a great camera that is practical for me, the colours turn out bright and saturated.
© Oman3D.com - The Creative Adventure - December 2005
© Alia Al-Shamsi - 2005