«Picture in Depth» (في الصورة) is an initial visual formulation exploring two subjects: the first examines the multiple aspects of human personality through mirror reflections, and the second explores how the brain perceives a complete form by analyzing its individual components. The photographs are presented in chronological order, which reveals the evolution of the subject from 2011—marking the initial conceptualization of the idea—until 2015, when the concept became fully realized. These photographs provide a sufficient foundation for the mature completion of the project, though they alone are not enough to constitute a finished project.
The Cover
This Cover was designed by: Fatima Mayya
Colors You're About to See
This page is an introductory guide to the color palette used throughout the project. It lists the main visual elements and materials featured in the photographs. The page essentially prepares the viewer by saying: "Here are the color elements you'll encounter in these photographs." It's a visual roadmap—a way to organize and present the color palette before diving into the actual images. It's straightforward and functional, acting as a legend or key for understanding the visual composition of the work.
The Printed Copy
This series photographs are the only physical print of the project, a single edition created when resources were limited. These images capture the materiality of the work: ink on paper, the tactile quality of the printed form, and the way the photographs exist beyond the digital realm.
Mirrors
Mirrors offer many visual experiences based on the concept of reflection. At first glance, a mirror reflection might appear to be a doppelgänger—an exact replica with the same facial expressions and personality. However, mirrors can suddenly reveal a deeper insight into the individual, helping us perceive the smallest details and all the self-contradictions that make each person truly unique. In this visual experience, you may observe the contradictions between perfection and imperfection, confidence and vulnerability, composure and flirtatiousness. The person in the photographs may either ignore these revealing reflections or bravely embrace self-discovery.
Succession of Details
It is fascinating how a captivating detail in the human form can draw us into deeper awareness of the whole, then lead us to dive back into the details in a more deliberate way. We seek to see them in their sequence and inner relationships, concentrating on the most compelling ones, freezing them so we can slowly develop intimate connection. Then we return to perceive them as part of a unified form again. Details reveal the essence of the whole. These delicate elements form the foundation of the complex sensual experience that creates attraction, familiarity, and desire. In this photo series, there is a succession of details from different female forms—sometimes seen in focus, sometimes as part of a wider view, and occasionally from an unexpected angle.
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Traces of Wind is a visual study on the tension between stillness and movement. The project focuses on the static nature of the domestic environment and how it is subtly altered by the presence of wind. These images challenge the photographic medium to capture the invisible rhythm of the air through the movement of light, fabric, and shadow. Beyond simple documentation, this collection serves as a medium for emotional expression; each frame is a conscious attempt to translate a specific internal state into a composition of high expressive intensity, capturing the silent, resonant impact of the wind upon a stationary space.
Al-Kamal Portraits
These candid photographs capture a quiet, playful moment featuring children peering through the window at the famous Al-Kamal coffee shop in Damascus. The focus rests on their curious observations of the world outside, blending a sense of contemplation with childhood wonder. By capturing their expressive gestures and gazes against the glass, the images evoke a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that highlights the simple, everyday charm of this iconic café.
Swaida: A Monochrome Winter
This series offers a monochromatic study of Swaida in 2012 , captured with a Canon EOS 400D . By focusing on high-contrast black-and-white photography, these images emphasize the architectural textures of the region, specifically the interplay between dark, volcanic stonework and the stark, reflective quality of winter snow. These photographs serve as an exercise in composition and light, transforming familiar urban scenes into studies of geometric form. Through this approach, the technical limitations of a standard camera are navigated by prioritizing tone and shadow, resulting in a cohesive archive that captures a specific moment in time through a minimalist lens.