“The word camera came from the Arabic word Qumra, meaning room or chamber, discovered by Ibn Al Haytham.”
— Khalifa Al Obaidly
For Khalifa Al Obaidly, photography is far more than the art of taking pictures—it is a way of documenting history, preserving identity, and connecting generations. As Director of the Tasweer Qatar Photography Festival, photographer, marine biologist, educator and artist, Al Obaidly has spent decades capturing Qatar’s transformation while championing photography as a cultural language across the region.
His remarkable journey mirrors Qatar’s own evolution—from humble beginnings to becoming a global centre for culture, creativity and innovation.
From a Kodak Camera to a Lifelong Calling
Al Obaidly’s passion for photography began long before museums, exhibitions and international festivals entered the picture.
His father introduced him to photography while he was still in primary school, gifting him a Kodak 110 camera purchased from Souq Waqif during the 1970s.
Soon, the young Khalifa became known as the unofficial photographer of his neighbourhood, documenting family gatherings, local celebrations and everyday life.
What began as childhood curiosity gradually evolved into a serious passion during his years travelling with the Qatar National Volleyball Team, where photography became his constant companion.
A defining moment arrived in 1989 while studying Marine Biology at Qatar University, when he joined the Qatar Photographic Society and learned from some of Qatar’s pioneering photographers, including Abdulrahman Obedan, Mohammed Al Manai and Hussain Al Jaber.
Seeing Two Worlds: Above and Beneath the Sea
Few photographers have experienced Qatar through as many perspectives as Al Obaidly.
Working as a marine biologist at the National Museum of Qatar introduced him to underwater photography, where he developed a fascination with marine ecosystems and nocturnal diving.
For him, the ocean represents an entirely different world—one that teaches patience, respect and observation.
He explains that understanding underwater light, colour and marine behaviour transformed not only his photography but also his outlook on life.
Watching species cooperate in perfect harmony beneath the sea became lessons in coexistence that extended far beyond photography.
Building Qatar’s Cultural Memory
Photography eventually led Al Obaidly into museum leadership.
He established the photography department for the Museum of Islamic Art, documenting priceless collections under the direction of Sheikh Saoud Al Thani before helping develop the cultural narrative of Msheireb Museums.
Later, at the Fire Station: Artist in Residence, he played a pivotal role in nurturing emerging artists while helping transform the institution into one of the region’s leading creative platforms.
Today, alongside leading Tasweer Photo Festival, he continues mentoring photographers, teaching at university level and supporting Qatar’s growing creative economy.
The Desert and the Sea: Two Landscapes, One Identity
Ask Al Obaidly what inspires him most and the answer is simple: Qatar itself.
Growing up by the sea left a lasting impression that later inspired projects documenting the country’s transition from pearl diving and fishing to a modern global economy.
The desert, meanwhile, became a visual metaphor for resilience, adaptation and the enduring relationship between people and the land.
Through both landscapes, his work tells the story of a nation that has embraced progress without losing sight of its heritage.
Tasweer: More Than a Photography Festival
For Al Obaidly, Tasweer represents something much larger than exhibitions.
Founded in 2021 by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Tasweer was created to support photographers and photographic art throughout the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region.
The biennial festival serves as a platform for exhibitions, grants, workshops, portfolio reviews, talks and competitions, bringing together established and emerging photographers while showcasing stories that might otherwise remain unseen.
Among its most celebrated exhibitions has been After The Game, documenting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 through uniquely Qatari perspectives.
Why Qatar’s Story Matters
Al Obaidly believes Qatar contains countless untold stories waiting to be discovered.
Rather than simply recording landmarks, photographers become researchers—finding narratives hidden within people, traditions, architecture and everyday life.
Photography, he says, helps preserve national identity while allowing audiences around the world to understand Qatar beyond headlines.
His philosophy perfectly reflects Tasweer’s mission: celebrating authentic storytelling through the camera lens.
Looking Ahead
Despite decades of achievements, Al Obaidly remains focused on slowing down.
In an era of instant content and digital overload, he is returning to analogue photography, spending more time in the darkroom and embracing a slower, more thoughtful creative process.
His advice for aspiring photographers is deceptively simple:
“Look at things from different angles.”
It is a philosophy that has defined not only his career, but also his lifelong commitment to documenting Qatar’s past, present and future.
