In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Kuwaiti photographer Mohammed Sami Jery embarked on a captivating journey of discovery, venturing into the enchanting realms of light. Armed with his camera, Jery set out to explore the world, beginning with the familiar landscapes of Kuwait and extending his lens to encompass the diverse cultures and landscapes of other places.

Jery has traversed through various professional fields, from the airline industry as a quality control specialist to the automotive sector as an operation manager, but he found himself immersed in the realm of agriculture landscaping and light art photography. In 2021, Jery found his true calling, taking pictures with a film camera like in the “good old days”. He embarked on a mission to capture the world through his lens while embracing the digital age of social media to showcase his work to engage with fellow photography enthusiasts.

Kuwaiti photographer Mohammed Sami Jery

“I started my journey as a light art photographer when I struggled to find the right light for my pictures,” he told Kuwait Times, adding: “I got the inspiration to be a light art photographer when I saw the sunset and low light exposure in some locations. As it gets challenging to find the light you need to create an image and my old camera did not help much, so the flash, torch or even a lighter came to the rescue sometimes.” Using his lighting tools, Jery created pictures of another dimension.

For Jery, photography is not merely about capturing images, but about seeking out the interplay of light and shadow in every scene he encounters. He prefers the simplicity and clarity of black and white imagery, with photographers like Barbara Kasten, Aaron Siskind and Hiroshi Sugimoto a big influence on his work. He hopes to be at their level one day. “Life in black and white is clearer and tells an interesting story,” he explained.

Photography is also not just a hobby or profession for Jery; it is a lifelong pursuit of capturing the essence of life with each click of his shutter, inviting people to see the world in a new light. On his next steps, Jery revealed he will explore the world of analog photography. “I’m enthralled by the charm and character of vintage cameras, and I see an opportunity to embark on a unique project titled ‘Upside Down’ that will capture the world from a fresh perspective. Hopefully, I will showcase my work and publish it soon,” he promised.