Photography exhibition opens in Sulaymaniyah with 105 works by 65 photographers

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq — An exhibition titled "The Camera Is the Eye of History" opened at the Red Security Building in Sulaymaniyah, organized by the Sulaymaniyah branch of the Kurdistan Photographers Association. The show features 105 photographs by 65 photographers from across the four parts of Kurdistan, displayed at 60x90 centimeters in size. Association president Abbas Abdullah said the exhibition was planned to coincide with World Photography Day but was postponed from its original August 19 date due to various conditions. He noted that only images captured with professional cameras were accepted, explaining that smartphone photos were excluded to maintain technical standards. Among the participating photographers is Çînêr Kemal, who said she contributed work drawn from 14 years of professional experience, including images she recorded on the front lines alongside Peshmerga forces during operations against ISIS. She said such events help support women's presence in the field of photography. The exhibition is also hosting a three-day program of expert seminars on the fundamentals of photography at the CDO center. The show will remain open daily from 17:00 to 19:00 over its three-day run, according to the organizers.