Tracking the best in Qatar

Qatar is a unique place in many ways, and one of them is how it offers an endless stream of imagery to those who love beauty — both natural and man-made. Unusual for a small country, you never run out of things to photograph: architecture, nature, birds, waterfronts, spectacular boats — whether age-old dhows or futuristic yachts. After seven in Qatar, I’m still itching to wake up at 4am and travel anywhere in the city, while it’s still quiet, to get an interesting lighting or angle. Today’s selection is a little different however, as it includes a few pieces where I’ve mixed a little input of my own. For example, in the image of the dhows and the West Bay towers I tried to accentuate the contrast between old and new by adding a black and white patina effect. My addition to the images is minimal in terms of concept, but it expresses how I see Qatar — a place that nurtures the intertwining of tradition with splashes of worldwide culture twists. Driving around Qatar, I often experience photographer’s FOMO or “fear of missing out”: when you witness an outstanding view, a breathtaking sky but you can’t stop and store it on your camera, so instead you have to store it in your heart.               —Text and photos by Cristina Ionascu @cristina_ionascu_photo