At the very beginning, without any preamble, I bought a camera without knowing what I would shoot. This was my starting point in wildlife photography. The experience of photography has left a deep psychological impact on me, transforming an ordinary person into a vibrant individual. Between the frost of mountain peaks, the heat of deserts, and vast forests, Emirati photographer Suha al-Suwaidi takes her cameras and embarks on journeys where she seeks not just remarkable shots, but the profound feeling behind every moment. Each photo she captures tells a special story, involving fear that dissipates before fierce animals and her deep connection with the camera, which has become a friend over time. Through years of documenting wildlife, Suha al-Suwaidi transitioned from spontaneity to professionalism, seeing in nature a mirror for humanity and emphasizing that it gives the viewer a chance to connect with the emotions in every image. About her beginnings, Suha said in an interview with 'Al-Ittihad': 'Since entering the world of photography, I wished for my work to appear before I did myself. But what distinguishes me is that I came into the world of photography, which I was led to by chance, with God's help and the prayers of my mother.' She added: 'I chose the path of engineering and spent my childhood in the United States, but without any preamble, I bought a camera and didn't know what I would shoot. This was my starting point in photographing wildlife, birds, and deer.' She noted that she moved from spontaneity to professionalism through training, experimentation, and learning. She was looking for a companion, and the camera became a friend in every sense of the word. She explained that she mastered the basics by continuing to try despite numerous difficulties. She considered that her academic specialization in engineering, far from photography, did not constrain her, as she constantly relied on balancing the world of numbers with the world of art. Living in the Moment Suha believes that beauty plays a significant role in the decision to take a picture, but she always strives to connect with the scene because the feeling it evokes is of primary importance. She clarified that she doesn't feel pressured to document the moment as much as she seeks to live it and let the viewer live it too. Documenting with the eye is more important than the camera. She added that sometimes she waits for a shot for long periods, but this is part of the journey of savanna photography. At other times, she manages to capture extremely rare shots. She emphasized that her main aspiration is to leave a message for the world that will touch hearts, and its essence is that life is worth living. Long Preparation Wildlife and nature photography requires a great deal of research and preparation, said the Emirati camera enthusiast, noting that her experiences were varied, especially outside the country. For instance, her experience in the Himalayan mountain range at an altitude of over 5,000 meters, where the temperature was -38 degrees Celsius, and ascending to such heights carries the risk of altitude sickness. In the Indian city of Jaipur, the temperature was 50 degrees, and in countries in the heart of Africa, the environment poses certain dangers, such as the risk of diseases and epidemics. Suha al-Suwaidi mentioned that each country requires a specific type of preparation, along with the importance of being ready for surprises nature might bring. She explained that there are various categories of wildlife photography, but the predatory animals category is not followed by many lens lovers. Personally, however, she is very inclined to track down the fiercest animals on Earth, which she does through open, unprotected vehicles. She also ensures she doesn't make any mistakes during photography to avoid any danger. Working in the photography field allows her to witness the changes the universe is facing; she keeps up with climate change and animals on the brink of extinction. This makes the message of photography much loftier, especially since what can be seen behind the scenes is not witnessed by people on social media. Psychological Impact Suha al-Suwaidi feels that the experience of photography has left a significant psychological mark on her, turning her from an ordinary person into a vibrant one. This difference highlights the value of things and life, and the importance of what one does and accomplishes. She mentioned that what she observes in the animal world—behaviors very similar to humans, especially those related to emotions such as loss, birth, or even depression—is also seen in the world of birds. Suha al-Suwaidi admitted that she deals with fear differently; she is afraid of domestic animals but does not fear predators. She believes this human nature is given by God to some according to the message they carry in life. She noted that she does not like tamed animals; when a lion is tamed, its personality changes, and its nature is far from its original. Regarding the boundaries she sets with animals during photography, she stated that there is no absolutely safe distance. The vehicle she photographs from is completely open, with only the driver in the protected part. Animals approach the car, and sometimes even rest under it. This causes the animal to see the camera's lens and stand staring, which carries a lot of danger, especially when the animal has cubs it is protective of. In those moments, they become dangerous creatures defending their young. In the Danger Zone Emirati photographer Suha al-Suwaidi revealed that she has faced many dangerous situations, but in these moments, she doesn't let fear control her. She follows methods that allow her to ensure her safety while photographing in certain environments, especially those involving dangerous animals or venomous reptiles, stressing the importance of respecting their environment.
