Saudi photographer puts in the effort to capture stunning
JEDDAH: While the summer heat bears down on Saudi Arabia, a photographer in the Kingdom’s northwestern region recently captured stunning pictures following a thunderstorm that swept through the Tabuk and NEOM area.
Local Musheer Al-Balawi, who is passionate about photography and is popularly known as “Marshall” on social media, took snapshots of the scenes that unfolded against the backdrop of the region’s colossal red mountains, with rainwater coursing down the elevated terrain.
In an interview with Arab News, Al-Balawi spoke of his admiration of the natural wonders around him.
He said: “(In the) Tabuk region and its environs, (there is) beauty and charm of nature in our region, and everything I see with my eyes is beautiful and deserves to be captured so the world can see this special paradise we have.”
NEOM has committed to dedicating 95 percent of its entire area to preservation to help illustrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental conservation and the advancement of sustainable lifestyles.
Al-Balawi mostly uses an iPhone 14 for his work and has previously used older models. He believes that “the art of photography lies not in the tools but in the vision and skill of the photographer behind the lens.”
His father encouraged Al-Balawi to pursue photography when he got interested in the subject, and the youngster would be given smartphones when he achieved good results in school.
He was able to develop his vision, skills and new techniques to take photos using his phone.
The subject of his work is the landscape that surrounds him, and the beautiful wildlife of the Kingdom, including horses and camels and their integral presence in Saudi culture and heritage.
