I have always been a keen photographer. With my contrasting life living in Iraq and growing up in Australia, I have found that I often see life in a different light to those around me. It began to be a habit in which I frame the things that I see in my mind, and transfer my world into images which I later share with the world. I've been doing this for years and I've been fortunate enough to meet some of the most inspiring people though social sites such as blogger, tumblr and twitter. It's also been years since I've posted anything that is beneficial to anyone. This post is a small yet humble effort to try and redeem myself.
The following are photos I took when I was 14-15 years old while I was living in Iraq. These and more can be found on my other blog which I've not written in for years.
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| Iraq from a plane. |
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| Sunset in Baghdad, Iraq. Tigris River. |
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| A photo I took for a school project. |
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Neighborhood street. The wires are old, broken phone lines.
You learn to not see them after a while. |
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| Fancy architecture in Baghdad. |
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| Took a snap while I was in the car on my way to Najaf, Iraq. |
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| Sadly, some neighborhoods aren't as clean as they used to be. |
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This is a power generator that is used when the power is out, which is 80% of the time.
Basically we live off power generators. |
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Old Iraqi architecture. This is a famous street called Al Mutanabi
street very famous for the wide range of book stalls. |
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| More phone and electricity lines that don't work. |
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| Very famous Iraqi architecture called shanasheel. |
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| Book stall in Al Mutanabe street in Baghdad. |
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Fried fish made by my grandma. The best. Also note that I have not added a
filter on this image but rather this yellow haze is the result of weather.. |
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| Making food to share with the whole neighborhood! |
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| Chai. All day. Everyday. |
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These barricades popped up during the war. Where the palm trees
could once be seen, are now hidden. |
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| Iraqi palm trees produce the best (in my opinion) dates. |
Having an opinion on topics that concern everyone and voicing these opinions on a social website is not unusual and is easily neglected. Having a voice that is then heard and listened to, now that is a voice that can change the world.
It's not often that you flick on a local station that present unbiased and fair news. This is why many look to social sites to form their own opinions; their own voices. A voice of peace and equality. The latter is worth investing in.
This is a snapchat story showing my adventures at the Perth Art Gallery.
Have a look at the WA Focus exhibition that was just a pleasure to experience.
But when a voice that is pure and good is so easily not listened to in a noisy world filled with prejudice, hate and war, then whom should you listen to? Of course it is the one you feed.
Even though ways of communicating these voices have changed and might be unavailable to everyone everywhere, the majority are making a change and it is happening right now. You might not see it, but they are there. Voices of change and hope and light. As the great Albus Dumbledore says,
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."
I have my inspirational people and I've decided not to share them since I cannot possibly include everyone. Instead I ask you to go and find someone who inspires you to be the best you can be or perhaps you will change the world yourself.
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