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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Eyes set on historical landmarks

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It’s unusual to find female photographers let alone one who chase after historical landmarks. But for Fatma al Qassabi, it is a hobby she cannot keep her hands from.

Growing in a wilayat full of historical landmarks and outstanding archaeological dsicovery, Fatma has grown a special fascination for the details of all forts and castles.


As far as she can remember, her immersion into the world of photography started when she became a member of a photography group in her school. As the group organised more local trips, she noticed herself getting drawn by the tiny details in the walls, by the dramatic effects on ceilings, the strength of equipment being used in this castles and walls.


“My actual start into professional photography was in 2011 when I joined the Photographic Society of Oman (PSO) and I started to promote my works in different social media. I also targeted promoting the Omani historical sites for people to visit,” she shared.


“Photography for me is the speaker of history. I believe that when you lose your history, you can’t get it back. And those who has no past will have no future. That is why we should exert all efforts to preserve it. For photographers, the way is to document the sites and to promote its legacy to encourage the people to visit and enrich these sites”, Fatma said.


Fatma thinks that photographers have different eyes that enable them to view things in unique ways. She shared that it is very important to avoid imitation and to put one’s own touch in every work. “You need to choose the right angle,” she said.


PSO plays a good role in helping young photographers discover their passion and field. Through the various workshops and exhibitions held in and outside the country, young photographers were given a helping hand to be better in their chosen crafts.


“I have participated in many local exhibitions and I have won a number of prizes,” she said.


“The photo which I took and is my personal favourite at the moment is the panoramic picture I took of Bahla Fort. I feel like there is a sort of connection between me and all the things that can be found in my wilayat. However, the first photo I captured is a nature scene from Wadi al Taeen,” she shared.


She also explained, “Although I love to capture photos of archeological places, I have also tried doing portrait and nature photography. I once documented the pictures of cars as well.”


The “Historical Angles” exhibition of Fatma is now taking place at Bait al Zubair till May 3, 2018 and it displays the brilliancy of the Omani man in building the Omani forts and castles.


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