Ziryab Algharbri: Tintype
Wet plate, Tintype. Courtesy of the artist
Before exploring photography I worked as a graphic designer. I initially picked up a camera under the impression it would assist in my designs, but I soon fell in love with photography as an artistic practise. I also began experimenting with filmmaking. Through photography, I accessed a new dimension of expression and felt more connected to people and nature. Intrigued by the numerous and obscure photographic methods used by artists, I learned about time-lapse, infrared, and wet plate “tintype” technologies.
Today, my practise is very much informed by the concept of energy transference. My most affecting images are captured when I feel and connect with the emotion or energy of the person or landscape I am shooting. In particular, I am interested in personal narratives and natural phenomena. I am motivated by the concept of capturing the elusive ‘moment’ of magical alignment between artist and subject. I believe that an image has the power to channel the energy of its subject, and that is the relationship I seek with the people and places I shoot. I am interested in the simultaneous simplicity and complexity of photography as a medium since a beautiful photograph could be technical and calculated, or intuitive and unplanned. Photography engages with everything. I am always striving to convey meaning in my photographs, and achieve a photographic ideal that is never fixed, but always changing.
Ziryab Alghabri is a Yemeni artist currently based in Dubai. A self-taught photographer, he previously held a career in graphic design but transitioned to photography and filmmaking after experimenting with his brother’s camera. Currently, Alghabri specializes in time-lapse photography and cinematography. His short film, The Gift Maker, was awarded first place in the British Council’s ZOOM Competition in 2010. Along with his brother Ameen, Alghabri is co-founder and co-owner of Gabreez Productions, a film and media production company based in Yemen. @eslamabdelsalam_