Coming together to form the perfect ‘focal length’ for photography, they have all gone length and breadth to capture all that is beautiful about Qatar. Be it the changing physical landscape of the country, its natural beauty or the cultural impact of these changes on the lives of the people, 11 lenses have captured it all in varying perspectives. 
Master shutterbugs with unique styles of photography formed a group, comprising locals and expatriates, to go on photography excursions together. The result of their individual and group photographic journeys around Qatar is being exhibited in ‘A Picture Lasts Longer’ currently up at Katara Art Centre (KAC) till July 23. 
In this exhibition, the group F/11’s photographs encapsulate the things we wish we could have forever. There is a chance to settle into intimate moments with friendly faces, to contemplate a majestic landscape permanently resting beneath a starry night and to be in the presence of monumental architecture no matter where we are. 
The group of photographers invites the viewer to take each photograph as an opportunity to revisit places they have already been to, but to see them in a whole new way. F/11 is a Doha-based photo collective made up of locals and residents who often go on photographic missions together, and capture the different formations they see in Qatar as it evolves. 
As buildings rise, flowers bloom and people from all facets of life join along the journey, how refreshing it is to take a moment and zoom into every detail, every shape and every colour they form. 
This exhibition was conceptualised through a month-long curatorial workshop with the group, led by visiting curator Marah al-Saheb, with Luciana Farah and Katara Art Center. 
“Abdelnour takes very visually alive shots. His photographs are visually interesting and he captures great colour and detail,” Jacqueline Pftizer says about fellow photographer Abdelnour Messoudene’s work.
“Nasser is the master of black and white. His photographs, though from now, feel like they are from a time gone by. Irreplaceable,” says Abdelnour Messaoudene. “For me Mohamed’s photos capture the essence of everyday life in Qatar. He evokes a feeling of intimacy towards his subjects but in a discreet manner. There is an overall sense of calm,” says Mohamed Bashir’s fellow F/11 photographer Jacqueline Pfitzner.
No one captures the beauty of Richard Sierra’s sculptures like Abdullatif has, says Nasser al-Abdulla. His use of the art photography to do this feels extremely fulfilling, and gives stronger appreciation of the sculptures, he adds. Mohamed Bashir while critically appreciating Abdulrazak OudaBashi’s work acknowledges the refreshing details in the photos of nature. 
“It is always refreshing to look at Abdulrazak’s photos. They take you into a totally new world of tiny elements and delicate colours that are arranged in high precision,” says Bashir. With his photos, the photographer adds, OudaBashi is able to catch the beauty of the finest details of his subjects. “His work is a big source of inspiration to me,” says Bashir. 
“From my short encounter with Faraj, I found him a person who enjoys the element of the past, distant lines and people from distant land enjoying life. His presence promotes happiness and contemplation,” says Abdellatif Jaidah about his fellow F/11 partner Faraj al-Abdullah. 
Speaking about Ahmed al-Khulaifi’s work, Maria Ovsyanniko says, Ahmed is not just clicking, “Ahmed makes everyone feel. His kind approach to people reflects kindness in the eyes of every portrait. Astonishing way to show a glimpse of a reality where every little detail is giving you a range of emotions and making the whole image complete,” says Maria. 
The F/11 exhibition features works of 11 photographers from the group that completes its entire ‘focal length’. The photographers include Faraj al-Abdullah, Nasser al-Abdulla, Mohamed Bashir Salih, Emad Elhag, Abdellatif Jaidah, Ahmed al-Khulaifi, Abdelnour Messaoudene, Maria Ovsyannikova, Abdulrazak OudaBashi, Jacqueline Pfitzner and Shaima al-Tamimi.