Documenting a changing city
Mosul photographer’s chance gift grows into lifelong passion
MOSUL — In the 1960s, a chance present—a German-made Agfa camera—sparked a lifelong devotion to photography for 75-year-old Mosul native Saad Hadi. He never anticipated becoming one of the city’s most recognized photographers, yet decades later, his images continue to document Mosul’s changing landscape and cultural fabric.
“I was born in 1950 and graduated from the English Department at the University of Mosul in 1974,” Hadi told 964 media. “I loved drawing during my middle and high school years, and when I received an Agfa camera from my father’s friend in 1965, I started with personal photography. I saw it as a documentary tool that fascinated me, and I carried it with me everywhere, especially on trips.”
Hadi’s passion grew more profound after the introduction of digital cameras to Iraq in 2003. By 2004, he had acquired one of Mosul’s first digital cameras and immersed himself in online research, blending technology with his artistic pursuits. “Since 2004, I’ve been captivated by the digital photography world. It’s vast, and I combined it with computers, which allowed me to stay updated through the internet and expand my knowledge,” he said. “Because I speak English fluently, I explored foreign websites and attended lectures, realizing that photography is both an art and a science with its own structured principles.”
Early in his career, security constraints and social norms in Mosul limited Hadi’s freedom to photograph public spaces. He focused instead on capturing the city’s heritage sites and cultural landmarks. “After Mosul was liberated [from ISIS rule in 2017], awareness grew, and more people started requesting portraits,” he said. Over the years, he has documented Mosul’s destruction and reconstruction, recently shifting his lens toward everyday life and new opportunities in the city. “In the past two years, I’ve shifted my focus to Mosul’s new way of life—people sitting in cafés, relaxing in parks, and foreign tourists exploring the city.”
Though his photography has earned him widespread admiration, Hadi never pursued it as a commercial venture. “I have no financial returns from photography and never considered opening a studio,” he said. “I taught five of my children and grandchildren the art of photography.” He attributes his success to a balance of equipment and expertise: “I currently use Nikon D7100 and Nikon D90 cameras, but no matter how professional the camera is, it’s not enough on its own.
“That’s why I continue refining my skills and vision, striving to produce professional-quality images—even with a phone camera.”
Hadi encourages aspiring photographers to refine their composition skills and highlight the positive aspects of their surroundings. “The content of a photo reflects the photographer’s personality and skills, whether they are professionals or not. Young photographers should focus on framing their shots properly and capturing a positive image of Mosul and Iraq as a whole,” he said.
Before devoting himself to photography, Hadi worked as a librarian at the University of Mosul’s College of Engineering from 1976 to 1991. Military service and harsh economic conditions interrupted his pursuits in the 1980s and 1990s, but he always found a way back to his camera. “In the 1970s, I was a university student. In the 1980s, my photography paused due to military service. In the 1990s, the economic situation was tough,” he recalled.
Decades after that accidental gift first sparked his curiosity, Hadi remains dedicated to perfecting his craft. His images continue to capture the essence of Mosul’s past and present—one frame at a time.