Meet Ahamed Iqbal, Photographer

Kind thanks to Ahamed Iqbal, the first interviewee for this blog. The image above is a sample he provided of his work. Ahamed is a professional photographer who recently moved to Seattle from Philadelphia. He sees photography as the ideal medium to express the visible and emotional uniqueness of the people he meets. By constantly challenging himself and evolving in his work, Ahamed hopes that creativity is the only common thread in his photographs. Ahamed has a studio in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, and you can see more of his work on his website, Zincphoto.com and/or his Facebook page.

1. How did you get started taking photographs?

I started taking photographs by playing with my Dad's old Canon AE-1 film camera. Learning the basics of photography through film taught me to respect each shot and get a deeper appreciation of the process of creating images.

2. Who are some artists (in any media) who inspire you?

I'm inspired by many artists in various disciplines, but some that come to mind are Martin Scorsese, Mark Rothko, and Phillip Glass. Although each creates very different forms of art, each expresses a unique balance of intensity and peace in his work. I'm always looking to achieve the same balance between peace and intensity in my own work.

3. What makes for a well-composed photo?

Purpose. A properly composed photograph intentionally includes compelling and essential elements while excluding distracting and unnecessary elements. Photographs succeed when they convey a sense of purpose and fail when it appears they were taken without thought or planning.

4. How do you decide on the best background/setting for a particular subject?

I believe a background should either provide a complementary setting for the subject or provide a contrast that forces the viewer to look closer at the subject. I also take great pride in finding odd or traditionally "ugly" backgrounds, settings or elements and using them to create a beautiful image.

5. What projects are you currently working on?

I'm currently working on a project to capture the strength and beauty of people with disabilities. My goal is to portray them in creative ways that provide an honest look into who they are.

Thanks again, Ahamed!