Life in Focus: Through the lense of a street photographer

Award-winning street photographer Abdulrahman Saleh captures a world of stories that shape the Kingdom’s collective history

Anjala Farahath

18 July 23

Abdulrahman Saleh Street Photographer

A city’s streets are like veins, conduits for the lives and stories of those who traverse them.

Photographer Abdulrahman Saleh delves into this world effortlessly, capturing the raw emotions and interactions of passers-by across the Kingdom. Born in Somalia and raised in Saudi, Abdulrahman took to street photography at a young age, and has since mastered the art of using his lens to reveal narratives that would otherwise remain untold.

“I took up photography in 2012. I was a student and started with my phone, as I didn’t have a camera at the time. I rode the bus a lot back then, and during that time, I met tons of people and saw different places – and I realised there was something that needed to be captured,” he explains.

Initial Exposure

To cultivate his interest in photography, Abdulrahman acquired his first camera – a Nikon M-308 – and began shooting everything around him. “The day after I bought it, I went to Batha in Riyadh and took a lot of portraits,” he recalls.

With every image captured, Abdulrahman worked on forging meaningful connections with the people in front of his lens – uncovering stories of both hope and hardships.

“I think there’s a story behind every one of my photos. Usually, before taking a picture of anyone, I introduce myself and then try to get to know them, and their memories and stories stick with me.”

^{Mzmar: Capturing a group participating in a popular folk dance in Hijaz}

Since acquiring his first camera, Abdulrahman hasn't taken a day off from photography. What started out as an obsession with images of cityscapes quickly transformed into a career, a passion that helped him in 2019 nab the Saleh Alazzaz Award. Today, Abdulrahman loves taking pictures so much that he carries a camera (or two) with him wherever he goes.

“I always have cameras in my bag. And if I don’t use my camera, I use my phone. Either way, I need to take photos — it's like water for a fish,” he explains.

Lasting Memories

During those initial excursions to capture the world around him, Abdulrahman found solace in photography, as it provided a creative escape from his job at the time.

In fact, one of his early projects involved documenting 30 of his work colleagues as they rode the bus, capturing them in a casual moment of interaction.

^{30: An unfinished project comprising photographs of colleagues taken in and around a 30-passenger bus,
spontaneously capturing moments that highlight their personality and spirit}

“I asked them for one word that described the moment and then wrote it down as a comment for their picture. I then asked them to do something that makes them happy – drink tea, dance, whatever they like – and then documented that, giving the final photo to them as a souvenir,” he explains.

The photographer has since gone on to work on other projects. Among his most indelible captures, one photograph stands out: the final shot of a bus service known as hathal badha. Abdulrahman rode this bus every day from 2009 until 2013, until the government halted hathal badha’s operations – as the vehicles were nearing their final days.

Changing Culture

While the evolving social landscape in the Kingdom has made street photography more accessible today, it wasn't always an easy path for Abdulrahman – particularly when it came to capturing images of people.

“I was shy and afraid. But with the years, it became easier for me, and I discovered that a lot of people approve of it, while some don’t,” he reflects. “I remember taking pictures during the World Cup and someone called the cops on me! So, now I know what scenes can be photographed and what to refrain from.”

^{Amin Al Saeed: The singer has had a 30-year career in Riyadh and often performs songs by the late Talal Maddah,
a Saudi musician and composer known as "The Earth's Voice.” For the last 20 years, Al Saeed has owned a
shop in Al Tarab Market, frequented by artists such as Mazaal Farhan, Saad Jumaa, and Dr Abdulrab Idris}

Abdulrahman’s distinctive style of street photography shines through his portraits. He achieves this by connecting with people on a personal level, seeking their consent, and then photographing them in his signature style. “I want to capture their eyes, their details, and their personality.”

Despite advancements in artificial intelligence and its notable contributions to visual arts, Abdulrahman remains unfazed, convinced that technology can create wonders but cannot replace the essence of reality. He encourages all photographers and content creators to never stop exploring, as there are limitless opportunities out there.

Adjusting Focus

With his Nikon 100F always within reach, Abdulrahman continues to do what he loves, while hoping the true essence of street photography resurges.

“These days, street photography is not the same. I’d like all of us to have that same passion we started with. I’d love to see more photographers, whether they are shooting with phones or cameras,” he explains.

When it comes to the practice of staged images, Abdulrahman shares his take: “I do have an issue with those who say they are street photographers, when in actuality they pay their subjects to pose in a certain way. Street photography cannot be recreated. If I miss something, I ask them to repeat what they just did.”

As he continues to explore this evolving field, the young photographer believes that images of cities and their inhabitants will continue to be shared, tales retold, and memories revisited for decades to come.

^{Holilah Market: This popular souk in Al Ahsa has been held twice a week for many years in the streets of}
^{Al Holilah more precisely in its alleys), its residents flocking to its stalls and stands from the early hours of the morning}

“I think the stories will be the same but the people are changing. A lot of times, I go out to take photos and pass by a familiar shop, only to realize that the store is the same but the owner is different,” he muses.

Having roamed the streets of Jeddah in recent years, Abdulrahman is now eager to head back to Riyadh to take photographs of its ever-changing cityscape and social fabric. Wherever he finds himself next, one thing is certain: he’ll always focus on capturing the charm of everything around him – even things that often go unnoticed.

“When I take photos in Batha or anywhere, I know from a distance that this is my subject. Some people have that charisma and attitude, and are photogenic. I can spot them amidst of a crowd of hundreds. I run to them directly to start a conversation and ultimately capture their story,” he says.

Undoubtedly, the art of spotting that ideal location or finding the perfect muse comes with experience, and Abdulrahman is undeniably a seasoned photographer, skilfully navigating the ever-changing landscape of his creativity and the Kingdom.