Abdullah Dhiaa Al-deen

Abdullah Dhiaa Al-deen

Based
Baghdad, Iraq
Born
Baghdad, Iraq
Status
Photographer
“Any photo should carry a message, not to tell people how to think, but rather to make them ask questions and seek information on what is right.”

Beat

I usually take pictures of people’s daily lives, focusing on the themes of religion and culture

One Shot

. Kerbala, Iraq. Reuters/Abdullah Dhiaa Al-deen
An Iraqi demonstrator walks through smoke from burning tires during ongoing anti-government protests in Kerbala, Iraq.
“I was on assignment to photograph the rituals of Shi’ite Muslims during Muharram, and took a picture of believers slapping their bodies in grief for the martyrdom of Hussain bin Ali. This was later chosen as one of Reuters’ best 40 pictures for the theme of religion.”

Profile

Camera in hand, I used to roam the streets of Kerbala in 2013 looking for daily life scenes to capture. Professional photographers to whom I showed my photography used to deliver harsh criticism, which helped me improve the quality of my pictures.

Portraying the lifestyles of the residents of Kerbala’s traditional and historic neighbourhoods was how I got started shooting for Reuters.

I mainly learned photography from watching dozens of videos on social media, then applying the tips I picked up in real life.

My first story for Reuters on the al-Hawza al-Ilmiyya Shi’ite seminary motivated me to keep working to tell photo stories, as it conveys deep meaning and messages to readers.

Adventurous assignments that require hard work, and different cultures excite me the most, as I love gaining knowledge.

Photojournalism is undergoing substantial changes just as the world is growing with different ideas.

Behind the Scenes

. Mustafa Alshami
Reuters photographer Abdullah Dhiaa Al-deen covers protests whilst on assignment in Kerbala, Iraq.