info — email
back to newsroom
ADVANCING THE FILM: THE GROWING COMMUNITY OF ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHERS IN QATAR
16 Feb 2021
DOHA - Over the past year, analog photography in Qatar has witnessed a steady increase in popularity. As lockdown regulations were gradually relaxed, more and more people took up on this hobby. Aniruddha Pawade, a station head at Radio Olive Qatar, recently got his hands on a film camera and has been shooting analog ever since. For Aniruddha, the beauty of film photography is that "any medium, [and] anything can be converted into a [film] camera."
Film Photography has its community all around the world. Here in Qatar, the community constitutes of a small group of highly invested photographers among hundreds of other analog lovers. For most photographers, the challenging aspect of film photography is the very same thing that they find appealing. These photographers have formed an ever-growing community—especially in the past year—that explores different parts of Qatar through their lenses.
These photographers go on photowalks —where they explore places and take pictures — and learn from each other. Most of them mention that recently more and more people have been involved in these group photowalks. Khalifa Arts Centre also mentioned that they witnessed some level of popularity after lockdown regulations were eased.
Photos by Aniruddha Pawade
One of the most significant reasons for the popularity of film photography in Qatar can be narrowed down to an online social media community named "analogfilm.qa". Most photographers mention that this account on Instagram has helped bring photographers together. Additionally, it has given a communal platform to showcase work done by various photographers making it extremely relevant to the analog community in Qatar.
"It's great that with social media we get together with like-minded people… and it is also a great way of showing your work and getting feedback," says Isabella Palma-López, a film photographer who has been shooting analog for well over three years. Hamad AlFayhani, a student at Northwestern University in Qatar, who has also been experimenting with analog photography for three years, mentioned that the film photographers that he regularly interacts with was brought together through 'analogfilm.qa'.
This popularity in film photography in Qatar constructed through multiple smaller circles. "one day a friend of mine introduced me to the film photography club in Qatar and I slowly started seeing more and more local people post their film pictures," states Lana Al Qatami, a student at Northwestern University in Qatar. Most photographers also described that their introduction to film photography was usually through their peers who were already familiar with this hobby. These smaller friend circles thus helped contribute to the growth of a social media page where a larger number of enthusiasts could interact with each other.
Photos by Author
Being fond of the challenge and complexity of analog photography is a relatively common opinion shared by many photographers. "Digital [cameras] has its advantages, but digital is too perfect. It's too simple and straightforward, which is not a bad thing. But for me, I'd rather have something with blemishes," states Pawade. Palma-López highlights how the "rewarding feeling" upon developing and then digitally scanning the film is something that personally makes her feel better, especially when she does it on her own. AlFayhani mentions that film photography forces one to be more conscious and that it also helps expand their skills in different ways. He states, "the same thing that keeps me invested is the same thing that was once a challenge."
These photographers are also fond of the outcomes of their work. To some, features such as the grainy textures, the vintage feel and other similar traits usually unique to film photography are also factors that keep them close to this hobby.
Photos by Hamad AlFayhani
Most photographers have a very positive experience with analogfilm's group photowalks. Al-Qatami mentioned that "everyone in the photowalk is very welcoming and there is a strong sense of community." Others also present similar responses regarding their experience. AlFayhani argues that seeing others work inspires him to look at things differently. "I see a chair, for example and four people are taking pictures of this chair each in four different ways. And I'm just like 'wow! everyone has their own eye'." Most photographers also described these photowalks being very diverse with people from all sorts of nationalities, age groups, genders, and variety of professional backgrounds.
The community does more than go on photowalks. Al Qatami mentions that " [analogfilm.qa] also holds occasional lessons where film photographers get together and learn about the process of developing pictures." Learning these skills can help an enthusiast save money when it comes to development. Pawade also highlights how within the film community, people can borrow cameras to experiment and all they would have to buy is a roll of film that can range anywhere between 40-70qr.
When it comes to developing these photographs, there is only a single store in Wakra that does the job. AlFayhani thus claims that "accessibility to film is quite limited." Palma-López, who develops her own films mentioned that the 70-80 Qatari Riyal price tag for development makes it a "costly hobby" that is not suitable for everyone. The cameras itself, however, have a relatively cheaper price tag compared to their digital counterparts. Pawade points out that the costs can eventually add up, thus making the experience "as costly as you want."
Photos by Isabella Palma-López
Overall, film photography in Qatar has gradually gained a platform among different smaller circles who share one common interest. One can define it as a niche hobby considering its small community. However, its steady growth has given reasons for photographers to think that this can only get bigger.