The Doha Photography Festival in its second edition continued its activities for the fifth consecutive day, featuring the participation of eight international companies specializing in camera technology. The festival, held in the area opposite Darb Al Saai in Umm Salal, runs until November 9 and showcases a vibrant program of exhibitions and artistic events.
The second edition of the festival further reinforces Qatar’s position as a regional and international center for arts and culture, providing an active platform that supports the growth and development of the photography community in the country. It also highlights the importance of photography as a powerful artistic medium for expressing Qatari identity and capturing the beauty and depth of the nation’s heritage.
Mubarak Al-Hajri praised the Ministry of Culture for its efforts in organizing the second edition of the festival, describing it as a gathering point for photography enthusiasts who meet in one place to connect with peers from various genres of photography.
Khalid Al-Khiyarin added that the content and exhibitions presented this year exceeded expectations, noting the remarkable quality and beauty of many of the photographs displayed. He explained that the diversity of the works contributed to creating a distinctive signature for the festival, which has become a main destination for beginners and hobbyists—especially with the participation of leading global companies showcasing the latest technologies in the world of photography. He emphasized that the entries reflect the great dedication photographers invest in capturing a single exceptional image, often requiring hours or days of patience and effort in natural environments.
Qatari photographer Mohsen Jaafar expressed his delight in participating in the Doha Photography Festival 2025 through his solo exhibition “A Whisper on the Wind.” He explained that the exhibition represents a visual journey documenting Qatar’s rich environmental diversity—its wildlife, birds, and natural landscapes—capturing the profound connection between humans and their environment.
Jaafar added that his exhibition showcases scenes captured with patient lenses that take the time needed to observe subtle details not usually visible to the naked eye. Each photograph, he noted, carries a story of patience, anticipation, and contemplation, revealing the hidden beauty of Qatar’s nature across its seasons.
He affirmed that his participation offers a space to express the identity of the Qatari photographer and highlight the beauty of the local environment—its land and sea—emphasizing that photography is a universal language that raises environmental awareness while documenting both natural and human beauty. He concluded by expressing his gratitude to the Ministry of Culture for its ongoing support of artists and photographers, and to the festival organizers for the exceptional arrangements that enabled creators to share their experiences with a broad audience of photography lovers.
Qatari photographer Sheikha Al-Mutawa described her participation through her exhibition “Colors from the East” as a human and visual journey inspired by her deep exploration of Indonesia. Her collection blends simplicity and beauty found in everyday life, capturing the features of people and stories of the streets in vibrant scenes that reflect the spirit of place and the diversity of its environments, cultures, and traditions. She explained that her photographic journey was not just travel, but a spiritual and visual experience that shaped her artistic vision. Each photograph, she said, represents a moment of discovery carrying a message of love for life, nature, and humanity.
Yesterday, the festival’s fifth day featured the launch ceremony of the book Qatari Photographers on the main stage, followed by the lecture “Sky and Earth: Adventures in Aerial and Architectural Photography” by Dani Eid, a talk titled “From the First Image to Today” by Ali Saif Al-Din, and a presentation on “Pricing Your Artwork” by Azz Mansour.
The workshop hall also hosted a series of specialized sessions, beginning with “Creating Beyond Boundaries” presented by Ahmed Nazem, followed by “Whispers of the Forest – A Portrait Experience” by Justyna Lynn.