A class of female photographers were found snapping shots and taking professional pictures at the Janadiryah Village Saturday morning. “Janadiryah is a great opportunity for the class to practice taking pictures,” said Saudi photographer Madeha Al-Ajroush who was leading her nine students from The Art and Skills Institute through the Qaseem fort at the festival. Al-Ajroush, an internationally renowned photographer has published her works in two books, one on the Abha region and another on Saudi women, and her latest exhibition took place in Lyon, France. After taking photos professionally for more than 30 years, Ajroush decided to share her passion and knowledge with a new generation of women. “I teach both foreign and Saudi women but the majority of my students just happen to be Saudi young women,” Al-Ajroush said. In a city where street-side billboards still have details of a person's face pixilated, the number of female Saudi photographers has steadily increased. “Women in photography are definitely on the rise,” said Al-Ajroush. “There has been a growing interest among Saudi women in photography.” Al-Ajroush has been teaching the fundamentals of manual mode SLR digital photography for the past eight years. The only thing that Saudi female photographer students differ from other students is their desire to learn how to take indoor photos because of social inhibitions, Al-Ajroush said. While many of her students are interested in learning the basics others have requested special lessons for taking photos of foods and dishes for a cook book or studio photography. After taking Ajroush's workshop, students have ventured professionally into photography, by opening their own studios or through working as photographers in hospitals and institutes. “I am very much looking forward to becoming a professional photographer,” said 17-year-old Atheer Al-Hulwa, one of Ajroush's students. “I see myself in photography.” While Al-Hulwa looks for a professional career in photography Ajroush's other students are trying to develop a hobby. “I have always loved looking at photos and their compositions,” said Ahad Al-Fawaz. “It's a hobby for me, something I enjoy and want to develop.” The Janadiryah festival is located 45 kilometers outside of Riyadh and will be open for the female public on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 P.M. to 6 P.M. __
