They say failure is not falling down but refusing to stand back up. Nigel Downes, a seasoned British photographer refuses to give up. The Doha-based photographer calls himself a storyteller. He likes telling different stories through his photographs. He is currently busy with a project — “30 Holy Days’ — where he is trying to take 30 beautiful images of mosques, and different scenes of Ramadan around Qatar for the 30 days of the holy month.
Community recently got a chance to sit with the passionate photographer and talk about his tumultuous life, phenomenal accomplishments and the inspired Ramadan project.
Raised in an old people’s home in the North of England, Nigel grew up hearing stores from 48 additional grandparents. “I was fascinated by their stories; tales of youth, of hope, of dreams, of futures fulfilled, of loves unfulfilled, of sadness and happiness. Those elderly people shaped me, they gave me deep respect and curiosity for my fellow humans, they inspired me to look for the story in every face, every image.”
The ace photographer saw his best friend killed by lightening when he was 10. He rode a motorcycle across India and Nepal to the border of Tibet. “I nearly died from septicaemia and again from typhoid and yet again when I fell from a building in the USA. I should not really be here and I have spent a long time in recovery, sometimes in a wheelchair.” Suffering from ADHD and Dyslexia, Nigel has photographed every one everywhere — from war zones to catwalk to royalty.
Dropped out of a photography college three times as he could not understand it, Nigel has also been seen as a very good photographer. “People tell me they like my photographs. My images speak to them. With a background in photojournalism, I approach every assignment looking for a story to tell, be that documentary, portraiture, corporate, industrial, advertising or large-scale events.”
In Qatar, he worked on the successful bid book for the 2022 FIFA World Cup committee. “I had the honour to be the official photographer and helped produce the bid book for Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. I did the same with Qatar’s Unesco membership application and again for Doha’s 2020 Olympic Games bid. I was even selected as the private photographer for the state visit to Qatar by Prince Charles.”
Nigel has also been commissioned internationally by world renowned media houses for different projects.
Nigel always sees narratives in photos. He said: “Photography is my way of looking at things. It is showing people your eye. It is like trying to get people to slow down a bit and look at things. I like people to see things through my eye.”
He sees a huge difference between a professional and non-professional photographer. “The difference is that we have to make a good photo in really the oddest situation. As a professional photographer, there is always a huge amount of pressure whenever commissioned for something.
“I have seen amazing photographs by non-professionals. However, a professional photographer has got to nail that shot because he is on the clock and he is being paid. A good photo should pull you in. A good photo should connect you on an emotional level. It should talk to something within you. Colours play an important role. People call me in to make normal situations look really good. Light also plays an important role. If you can get the light right, you will make a beautiful photo. Photography is to make things look beautiful.”
Nigel believes technology plays a huge role in creating a good photo. “It has changed now. There was a time when you needed to know the film. I actually think that as photographers we know far more now. I am amazed at the level of knowledge that me and my colleagues acquired over the years. Now, we have to be computer experts. We have to be Photoshop experts. We have to be light experts. Lots of things are printed now. We also have to be savvy in social media. It is a completely different world. The old training on the photography is good, but now we are super technical.”
Explaining his project of ‘30 Holy Days’, he said that it came about by chance really. “I am a non-Muslim and live in an Islamic country. Slowly but surely, you learn little bit more [about the religion]. I also feel very safe in this country. Everything is safe in this country.
“Ramadan was coming up. I like to photograph mosques. I find mosques attractive. I like to photograph mosques when it is clouded, mosques in thunderstorms. I always liked mosques and minarets.
“So, what I am going to do is a series of mosques. I have started meeting people and asking them to tell me their favourite mosques. When people started to talk to me, they started talking about Ramadan. I started learning what Ramadan means to them. I quickly realised that the actual subject is Ramadan. It is very interesting on the personal level. When I started talking to the people, everybody opened their doors. I am collaborating with different people. People are giving their messages. I went to Dominic Foley, [the Da’ee at the Bin Zaid Centre (Fanar)]. I am probably going to lead [the project] with the [his] image.”
Nigel further said: “I am still doing my homework. We are running around like crazy people. Lots of people are going to invite us into their homes when Ramadan starts. We are also meeting non-Muslims. We met a non-Muslim man who fasts in Ramadan to support his Muslim friends.
“The other day, I photographed a man making beads. He told me what Ramadan meant for him. I saw that there was a trade element to Ramadan. I am also interested in photographing people who lead the prayers and those who pray. I am also interested in how people prepare food during Ramadan at Suhoor and Iftar. It is a journey to discovery. I am following people up.”
Community / Technology
“(Photography) is like trying to get people to slow down a bit and look at things” — Nigel Downes, photojournalist
TOUGH ASK: u201cAs a professional photographer, there is always a huge amount of pressure whenever commissioned for something,u201d says Nigel Downes.
