Nisma Rafiq

Saudi Gazette 



Photography is an art that needs observation. It requires eyes that could find interesting and extraordinary quality in an ordinary thing. An art which has nothing to do about the thing, but the way one sees it. Faisal Almalki, 37 an award winning Saudi Photographer has the sight that seeks beauty in simplicity.  “I always enjoyed looking at things differently but not through a camera.  Eventually, while taking regular vacation pictures, I started to experiment and capture those ideas I’ve always imagined – and it grew from there.” Almalki told Saudi Gazette.



Currently residing in Riyadh, Almalki started photography as his hobby for the weekends, but overwhelming response to his work boosted his confidence to become a professional photographer.  He has dozens of award to his name “Photographer of the Year at The Masters Cup and ‘Fine art photographer of the year at IPA/Lucies, were important highlights and milestones.  At first I only wanted to participate to see where I fit in this world but winning was a nice icing on that cake.” He added, “I was also lucky to have won major prizes from PDN, Popular Photography and the PX3 awards in Paris.”



Faisal Almalki had a very happy and exciting childhood. He was the youngest of 8.  “I’ve always had a camera but only for taking family snaps.  My first camera as a photographer was bought when I was 28.” His shots are themed with story and other times with beauty, “Most of what I shoot falls within street and portraits (stories) or architecture and abstracts (beauty).  Sometimes I try to connect both.”



Often times he has to face challenges from inside of him and from the surroundings “Some of my favorite struggles are about growth: trying to look for fresh ideas or fresh ways to execute – or even cruising through genres and styles of photography, finding and expressing my own point of view on things.” He added, “I also think a photographer’s pictures are only interesting if he first finds them interesting, so there’s an ongoing struggle to impress myself – and that is not easy.”



“Whereas, on a bigger scale there was the struggle of photographing in public in Saudi, and I felt uneasy about the strictness, but luckily that is finally being broken down”



Almalki’s family played a vital role in his success for becoming an internationally renowned photographer, “I’m lucky to always have had their full blind support in anything I wanted to do.”



He wishes upcoming photographers a very good luck, “I think photographers can only succeed if their goal is to express their own point of view and impress themselves first.  A few attempt to impress others or follow “popular trends” even when they’re not enjoying what they’re producing – and that’s a shame.  Just make sure you are doing your absolute best, enjoy it and be your own worst critic.  If you do this, even if you don’t succeed, you’ll be happy and content.”



Almalki enjoys being around people, but tends to keep his focus more on photography when he is alone. For him, it is not necessary for a photographer to be an extrovert. “Introverts can shine through their disconnectedness or quietness just as well.” 



He has plans for the upcoming future “My first major task will be launching my all-new website in the coming days.  I’m hoping to show a transformation or revolution in what I shoot and how I show it and I’ve waited 7 years to do it. I’ve also started to experiment with new subjects as well as more work with shadows and long exposures.”



“In the beginning of 2014, I will also be participating in my first major exhibition in Saudi Arabia – as well as the publication of an exciting book about a Saudi subject which will be officially announced soon.”