Shutterbug’s images define aesthetic dreams

Manama

A world without cameras is hard to imagine. Every photograph reminds us the lives lived and the emotions engrained to it. As time passes by, photography has become every man’s affair. But as an art there are a few who embrace photography as a passion in their life. 

For Mohamed Thaqi, a camera technician at Jashanmal in Bahrain, camera is his life. This 59-year-old lensman has seen the drastic changes in the photography filed over the years. As the World Photography Day falls on August 19, he talks nineteen to the dozen about cameras and his eternal love for photography.

“For me, photography is not only an art, but also the driving force for all my activities. I consider this as part of my life,” he says passionately. “In fact, the only reason why I took up the job of a camera technician is because of my immense love towards the ‘black magic box’.” 

Thaqi has attended close to five training programmes in different companies from different countries. He has been working as a camera technician for two decades.

While speaking about the latest changes in photography, he laments, “Nowadays, I think, art is disappearing from photography.  Our generation tried to study the basic rules of photography. We had a sound knowledge about lighting and shutter speed. But, now I think, (may be due to digitalization) the new generation is into photography just to be active on social media.  They are not trying to study the rules and disciplines of photography.  They rather prefer the quality of the equipment they use than the quality of studies.”

Mohamed Thaqi is also an inspiration for young budding talents in Bahrain.  He tries to maintain contact with youngsters through social media, and teaches them the rules of photography.  

Speaking about the unforgettable moment in his career, he shares his first experience as a photographer. “My debut as a photographer was a total failure.  I was assigned to cover a marriage function decades ago. I committed just because I wanted to hold the camera and use it.  I attended the function as an official photographer. But, unfortunately, I could not get a single picture.  Luckily, I escaped from the situation.”

This veteran photographer cum technician urges the youngsters to take photography seriously and maintain a schedule – one photo per day.