Faisal Almalki: Professional Photographers Of Our Region

Defined Choices:
Camera: Whatever I can put my hands on. Currently Canon 5D Mark II
Book: Blink
Magazine: Tough question. Love magazines. If I have to pick just one, it’s Esquire (US edition)
City: New York
Outfit: Black polo, Blue jeans and sneakers
Accessory: I try to minimize as I often carry way too many things.

A photograph is a moment captured to be preserved for eternity, be it of an expressive face, a split second moment in time or an abstract object. Photographs convey mystery, beauty and achievements in an a way no words can say. It's a gift of perspective from the inner mind, not the geography that allows such creativity expression.

Evasion

Faisal Almalki, born and living in Saudi Arabia, his photographic senses send him into a creative and professional career. Awarded with the most select photography titles. He is more than passionate, he is involved. Active and alive within what he loves, Almalki is an inspiration to the region which compels us to seek his story and insight, discovering his path and passions.

His career path started with advertising and marketing since 2000, evolving within the ad world of Saatchi & Saatchi, JWT and GREY. Leading him into a world of photography for all sorts, from personal to professional discoveries and accomplishments. With an eye for shapes and colors, graphics and media, creative and entertainment.

Primary Experiences

Almalki's reminisces, "When I was in college I had realized, If I studied marketing it would get me into advertising. I was one of the first locals to take this path. Favorite clients included Dominos Pizza and Sabic - the largest petrochemical company, we were involved in a huge organisation, they gave us room to reinvent, which was particularly exciting.

Viewing the world through your eyes, what do you focus into?
'I focus on my subject, before the camera, enjoy looking at unusual, strange objects – or looking at normal subjects from an unusual perspective. Architecture is my great interest followed closely by people and street life'

Roman Rumors111-Finale   -   Vangaurds     -     Autumn Resurrection

Detour

How did you find this talent?
'I really don't know. When I started working in advertising I came to realize my eye and passion for layouts and compositions. I started to look at a photo as a piece of design.
I thought my new found passion was unusual, thinking only I would enjoy what I saw and I was secretly taking pictures with a small camera which were never shown to anyone. Going online was a great window, it's inspirational to be able to see how people share their work online. Reading books and magazines helped as well.

Capturing Saudi ideals, what do you look for in representing the Saudi culture and in which perspective do you like to take?

'I confess. Although I’d really love that, I am short on shooting in Saudi. Reasons being I can’t, but I am working on it though, there were obstacles around shooting in public but that got legalized 3 years ago. A great move, but still new, which means it's still being activated. Saying that, I think there are more stories to capture in Saudi than probably anywhere in the world – with so many stories, shapes and contrasts.

Southern Waves II - Southern Waves

Editor's notes: The Southern Waves Series - The composition of colors, the flash of blue from the clothing stands out so beautifully, creating dimension and contrast, The movement of the subjects release further energy into each shot. The Soft color palette plays a juxtaposition with the ideals of desert men dancing. Capturing a moment of Arab Culture, with a beautiful set of shots.

Official or personal? Where do you feel you stand out?
At the start, the photos were very personal. More recently I started to do more 'professional' assignments and projects – while continuing to develop my personal work. My latest project was the cover of a new novel in the US “Started Early, Took my Dog” by Kate Atkinson.

Started Early

Most challenging experience: 'I was assigned to shoot the cover of the special Ramadhan issue for UK-based “EMEL” magazine. The subject (Ramadhan) has been exhausted visually and creatively with its many symbols but I knew I had to shoot for a new angle for myself and to match the quality of their previous cover designs. It took me a couple of weeks to conceptualize but I and the magazine team were both pleased with the result. Using 30 dates (the traditional food for breaking the daily fast) to symbolize the 30 days of goodness

Emel - Ramadhan

Some link photography with fashion, or culture or wildlife, where does he stand?
I can definitely see the link with culture. Cultures are represented through photography and those photos can become a part of that very culture. As for fashion, you won’t see any clue to this in my work. But I have a fascination with fashion photography. Even last year, I had photographed HRH prince Badr bin Abdulmohsin for his latest book, but we funnily enough ended with what appears to be the results of a fashion shoot (in some of the shots) with so much style, personality and emotion. It’s something I would love to get into, but the genre is still not developed enough in Saudi.'

Prince Badr

Greatest achievement, so far?
'Winning Photographer of the Year by the Masters Cup in Los Angeles and fine art photographer of the year from The IPA/Lucies (Oscars of photography) in New York. They used to offer a 50 percent discount for people from developing countries (in the arts) to enter, including Saudi, to encourage participation. After I won the title, they removed Saudi off the discount list. Which I take as a great compliment and makes me happy (I’m glad other photographers didn’t hate me for that!)'

Participating in a wide array of projects from international to local appearances, his work has been exhibited and awarded at the Paris PX3 competition & exhibition, a key event in the world of photography.
Currently, finishing up a locally commissioned photo shoot for a photography book in Saudi, capturing architecture in the Diplomatic Quarter. With a thirst to visually capture his homeland Almalki looks forward to similar assignments this year.

Future plans.
On the commercial front, I’m preparing for the biggest assignment yet (Italy, Fall 2011) but I also hope to have the time and resources to work on a couple of personal books. I’ve already developed 2 photography book ideas that explore 2 Saudi culture icons. They are so iconic and popular I can't believe they haven't been photographed yet.'

Beyond

How does he suggest to youth in development of photography and reaching a professional state?
'Two things that helped me the most:
Firstly, A constant attempt to impress myself. I don’t photograph because it’s currently “in” or everybody’s doing it. If you really want to grow you have to impress yourself, which means you will never stop, you will always try to improve and develop.
The second. There are so many ways to learn, never were there so much photography websites, magazines and other accessible resources – as well as courses, workshops and even degrees.'
And last, train your eyes. The more you see of photos (great or not so great) the more you develop your ways of seeing beautiful images everywhere and from a new perspective.

A Thousand Stories




Faisal AlMalki's : www.exactish.com