Baghdad event brings together Iraqi and European photographers

BAGHDAD — A photography exhibition at The Gallery in Baghdad’s Karrada area showcased a selection of works by the late Iraqi photographer Nazim Ramzi, alongside contributions from 15 Iraqi and European photographers.

The exhibition featured a variety of themes, from documenting the country’s landscapes and daily life to highlighting its religious and cultural diversity.

Iraqi photographer Laith Zaid contributed over 12 photographs under the theme “Children of God,” representing the diverse religious practices in Iraq.

He described one of his pieces: “One image was taken in Najaf at the shrine of Imam Ali during the anniversary of his martyrdom. It captures a powerful moment when the red light illuminated, and women were praying and crying, their hands raised in supplication. The shot was taken from an elevated position, adding to its impact.”

French photographer Charles Steven, who participated in the event, shared his perspective with 964media. He visited Iraq in 2016, and his first photograph was in Nineveh plain. Over the years, he has collected these images to present a comprehensive view of the country.

His focus is on capturing moments such as children heading to school, people searching for work, and weddings.

The exhibition brought together photographers from different generations. Hadi Al-Najjar, another Iraqi participant, noted that the presence of foreign photographers enriched the event by introducing new ideas and fostering creative exchanges.

“One of my photographs portrays two people sitting near a window at a university. The image is divided into segments, each representing different facets of human life and circumstances. Every square in the picture gives a unique impression,” Al-Najjar explained.

The event, part of the inaugural “Photo Week,” aimed to celebrate Iraq’s artistic talent while fostering cultural dialogue through the lens of photography.