Three Saudi photographers have recently met the standards of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), which earns them the “World Class Artists” title.
The winning photographers are Nasser Al-Rabaie, Saleh Al-Dogari and Abdullah Mushabab. They received certificates from the FIAP in the “A” category.
Artist Isa Angawi, a representative of the FIAP in Saudi Arabia, said the achievement made by the three Saudis is a matter of pride for all the photographers in the kingdom, where this international recognition came after a great effort by them.
He said joining the FIAP is important on the level of representation of the country in competitions, exhibitions and biennials sponsored by the FIAP.
He also said membership to the FIAP allows to take part in all competitions organized by the FIAP, thus contributing to improve the talent and expand their knowledge on global technical works and the winners in each contest.
A good photographer must carry the noble message through his artistry as a definition of his own culture and its civilization of humanity and religion in international forums of art, Angawi said.
He stated that professional and amateur photographers in the Arab region are suffering from not being classified technically due to the lack of an established entity to assess photographers and give them the title or rank they may deserve.
Angawi said: “In our countries, the practitioner for 20 years and the beginner are the same, and for this reason they tend to seek for other global unions to get the required technical classification.”
He said the Kingdom joined the FIAP in 1995 and 300 Saudi cameramen and photographers are members. He called all the enthusiasts to come under the umbrella of the FIAP and take advantage of the programs offered annually.
The FIAP is an international federation, which affiliates as operational members, the national associations of photography. FIAP counts more than 85 national associations in the five continents and represents the benefits of nearly one million individual photographers. Since September 2004, camera-clubs and regional groups of clubs can join FIAP, under some conditions.