Serge Najjar, Capturing Beirut

Lebanese Photographer Serge Najjar explores the geometry and symmetry in architecture and structures around his native Beirut. Najjar’s compositions are considered and reflective of his artistic philosophy that “It’s not about what you see, but how you see it.” Najjar often waits for hours to capture the perfect moment when a local enters the frame.

Describe photography as a past time: I grew up reading art books and auction catalogues. I had no real knowledge in photography. But I had read so much about modern art, cubism, avant-garde and optical art that eventually my eye had learnt to compose. As soon as I started taking pictures, I was able to compose spontaneously with what I saw. Photography became a way to create with what surrounded me. It pushes my imagination further every time.

How do you work as a photographer - do you prepare for particular trips around the city or do you take your pictures spontaneously? I am a practicing lawyer, so I only photograph during my spare time on weekends. I take my car and drive into unknown places, meet unknown people and photograph random scenes. Sometimes I am quite far from my subject and I use a strong zoom. Other times I can get close and actually have a dialogue with people on site. When it happens this way it is an even better experience because I can explain to people what I am doing and they often do not mind being photographed. Nothing is ever prepared ahead. My choices are very instinctive.

How do you work as a photographer? The passion I have for photography is a passion for the unexpected and the unplanned. I am a practicing lawyer, so I only photograph during my spare time on week ends. I take my car and drive into unknown places, meet unknown people and photograph random scenes. Sometimes I am quite far from my subject and I use a strong zoom. Some other times I can get closer and actually have a dialogue with people on site. When it happens this way it is an even better experience because I can explain to people what I am doing and they often do not mind being photographed. Nothing is ever prepared ahead. My choices are very instinctive.

What motivates you to document the city in which you live? I am a bit fed up of Lebanon’s stereotyped representations: war, old stones and chaos. Lebanon can also be photographed with a modern eye, in a minimal way. My aim is to show that any country’s representation could be challenged and seen with an innovative eye.

What do you try to capture in your photographs? I try to bring the ordinary closer to art. My last exhibition (at Galerie Tanit) was entitled “A closer look at the ordinary”. I think the title says it all. What is it about your personal experiences of living in Beirut that iinfluences your photography? Beirut is a chaotic city. Funnily enough what inspires me most is bringing order into this chaos. Also, I am very inspired by concrete and raw materials. It is the perfect playground for an architectural freak like me.

Tell us a story behind a memorable moment while photographing in Beirut: I sometimes interact with people on scene and I often find extremely nice people who tend to be as insane as I am, like when I asked a passer-by to borrow my umbrella and “fly” away. He looked at me as though I was insane but eventually played the game, took the umbrella and jumped. I snapped the picture at that very moment. When I showed it to him afterwards he could not believe his eyes because it felt surreal. These moments of spontaneous complicity are pure pleasure and Beirut is one of those places where anything can be possible.

To see more of Serge's photographs, follow him on Instagram: @serjios