Muna Al Mulla shares her passion for photography By Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette Matt Hardy said it best: Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph. This notion holds true for all those creative people who “view” things around them, instead of just “look.” Traveling changed Muna Al Mulla's perception on photography and she viewed the world with a mature perspective and decided to present the mundane in a different and unique way. And it wasn't long before the camera became her best friend. Twenty-four-year-old Al Mulla is a photographer by passion and a pharmacist by profession. She is also currently pursuing her master's degree from Hamdan Bin Mohammed E-University. Born and raised in Dubai, Al Mulla efficiently multi-tasks each of these roles like pictures blending in the right contrast to get a perfect shot. For photography, Al Mulla draws inspiration from simple things around her, for example, song lyrics or even a complex situation on hand drives her to grab her camera, and start clicking. Her photography also depends on her moods, and Al Mulla admits that even though her photographs convey subliminal messages her audience is able to connect with them. In spite of gaining notable recognition for her work, Al Mulla hasn't thought about selling any of her photographs. She said they are still part of her. “It may sound ridiculous to some people, but it has just never crossed my mind. Maybe as I get older I will, but as of now they are my little babies.” Emirati photographers Omar Al Zaabi, Abdulaziz Bin Ali and Moza Al Falasi are Al Mulla's favorite photographers. “I can look at their photographs forever and never get bored,” said Al Mulla. Among international photographers Al Mulla admires Hougaard Malan's photography. She described Malan's landscapes as “heaven,” as his photography angle of the chosen places and the colors which he captures are just picture perfect. Al Mulla said he is truly an inspiration. Creativity is the center and the presenter of one's passion or profession. Al Mulla said that no two photographers can have the same concept and ideas. “People involved in art in general are unique, their art represents their emotions which are affected by the environment around them.” For capturing mesmerizing shots Al Mulla uses her Canon 50D camera. “She's my heart and soul. “Yes, it's a “she” not an “it”.” Al Mulla suggests that “new born” photographers should not go for something highly expensive because in the first year everything is just practice, as Henri Cartier-Bresson rightly said, “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Moreover, amateurs do not know what they are interested in that is portrait, landscape, macro or others — and so, Al Mulla believes that it's good to start with something simple and then eventually move on to more complex gadgets. Initially, Al Mulla also used a modest and reasonably priced Canon 400D for photography with which she got amazing results. Words of encouragement from Al Mulla to all amateur photographers and others with talent: “You have to remember. It's not about what other people think! Stop putting yourself down and start grasping whatever talent you have, you're going to make it and then when you look at those people, who underestimated you, just say “I won.” In the future, personally, Al Mulla would like to see herself happily married and settled. And, as a photographer, Al Mulla's dream is to have her own studio and team of Emirati photographers, with whom she can be successful. She would love to travel the world and see different cities, with a camera in hand, of course. Al Mulla would also like to open her clothes and makeup line in every department store. __
