Interview with Photographer Shaikh M. Amin
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Author: Aramco ExPats
Released 26 June 2009
Shaikh M. Amin (FPSA, PPSA, EFIAP), an employee of Saudi Aramco for 37 years, is an internationally recognized photographer who has received numerous awards for his work. Mr. Amin graciously took the time to conduct an email interview with Aramco ExPats to share his history and photography experiences with fellow Aramcons and ExPats.
Aramco ExPats: When did you first become interested in photography?
Shaikh M. AminShaikh Amin: I was interested in photography since a very early age and was making pictures of my family and friends using a borrowed camera. But since photography was a very expensive hobby, I could not pursue it seriously due to financial difficulty.
AE: When did you start working for Saudi Aramco?
SA: I joined Aramco in 1948 and was assigned clerical work in Store House. During the next few years of service with the company, I saved some money and bought my first camera, a “Rollicord” twin lens reflex and this was the beginning of my lifelong commitment as a photographer. I took pictures on my own first but as my proficiency in this art developed, I started doing freelance photography. On weekends during my free time, I took pictures at private parties and sports.
During this period, I enrolled in the correspondence photography course offered by the New York Institute of Photography (NYI) while doing my regular job. It took me two years to complete the course and I was awarded a diploma in December 1961. Later on, I obtained two more diplomas in Photography from USA and Switzerland.
Around 1964, there was a vacancy for a photographer in the Photo Lab of Public Relations Department of Aramco. In view of my interest and talent as a good photographer, I was recommended for this job on three month probation as a junior photographer. This was the beginning of my association with Aramco as a photographer which lasted 30 years.
AE: When did you retire from Saudi Aramco?
SA: I retired from Aramco in April 1985 as chief photographer. Since the company still needed my services as a consultant photographer, I worked for three months every year (1985-1994). I did photography for the Annual Report of Aramco during this 10 years period. When the Saudi Government stopped hiring of foreign consultants, my contractual services ended in 1994.
AE: What was an especially memorable photography experience during your time with Aramco?
"Green Reflection" by Skaikh AminSA: I had several memorable experiences as an Aramco photographer. But the one that I still recall with amusement was when I lost my Muslim American colleague and writer Michael Jansen in Arafat.
I was covering the story of her performing the Haj for the Aramco World Magazine in 1974. She suddenly disappeared. I stopped my photography and looked for her for three to four hours but in vain. Looking for her in a crowd of two to three million people was like finding a needle in a haystack. I was confused and so upset that I did not know what to do.
Finally, I decided to return to my tent and to consult my colleagues as to what our next step should be. It took me quite some time to find my tent among hundreds of other similar tents although it was not my first visit to Arafat. On reaching the tent, I got the shock of my life when I saw Michael quietly sitting in the tent. I was shaking my head and trying to figure out how she, being a foreigner and a first time visitor to this land, could find her way back alone. I thought she must be a genius and an extremely smart person.
I asked her how she managed to return. She smiled and replied that when she was going with me, she was minutely watching the track and noting the landmarks as she was afraid that we might get separated in this huge crush. That was smart thinking. I was relieved and relaxed.
We continued with our mission next day until the end of the program without any anxiety. Her article also appeared in Saudi Aramco World Magazine (November/December 1974) --- a special issue with full coverage of the “Haj”. Her picture, at the exact spot where I had lost her, appeared on pages 34-35. I was told that this issue became so popular that Aramco was asked to print double the copies to fulfill the demand of the readers around the world.
AE: What have you been doing since your retirement from Aramco?
"Ready for Sale" by Shaikh AminSA: After my retirement from Aramco, I returned to Pakistan and took residence in Islamabad with my family. I spend the summer months visiting my two sons and friends in the United States and attend the Annual Conference of Photographic Society of America (PSA). Last year 2008, the PSA President has awarded me a beautiful plaque of Appreciation for attending PSA Annual Conference for 15 consecutive years. This was a surprise to me.
I joined several international photographic societies and actively participate in their exhibitions and competitions. In recognition of my talent as a photographer and my services for the promotion of art photography, I have been conferred with several honors including the prestigious fellowships of the Photographic Society of America (FPSA) and The International Federation of Photographic Art (EFIAP).
My main occupation during my retirement has been participation in international salons of photography. I had a high degree of success and have won numerous coveted awards including 51 Gold Medals and over 2,000 acceptances in International Exhibitions and 3 awards from the United Nations. I won 2nd place in color photography at the 1976 International Industrial Photography Competition in New York. In 2001, I had the honor of receiving UNESCO (ACCU) “Prize of Excellent” certificate in Tokyo, Japan.
I also give my voluntary services in photography to several universities and organizations in Pakistan. These include the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Technology (GIKI), University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Fauji Foundation University and the Tameer-e-Millat Foundation.
Currently, I am the International Representative in Pakistan for the Photographic Society of America, a member of the Directory Board of the Photographic Society of Pakistan and Vice-President of the Islamabad Camera Club.
AE: Please tell us some details about your upcoming visit to the Seattle area this summer.
SA: This will be my 3rd judging in the Northwest International Exhibition of Photography as part of the Puyallup Fair to be held on August 22, 2009 but this time I will be judging prints rather than projected color images which I did on my previous two judging. Judging principal is the same whether you judge projected images or prints but you pay more attention on the quality of the print and its presentation.
Aramco ExPats extends our sincere thanks to Mr. Amin for this wonderful contribution to the website.