World Photography Day: Perfectly timed moments on Doha’s streets

Published: 19 Aug 2025 - 09:30 pm | Last Updated: 20 Aug 2025 - 01:00 am

Street photography / Arsenio Nidoy Jr / Doha, Qatar

Doha, Qatar: Today, August 19, is World Photography Day – a day to celebrate the power of images and those behind the lens. Here in Qatar, we’re used to seeing stunning photos of iconic museums, art installations, beaches, parks, and of course, those picture-perfect sunrises and sunsets lighting up our social media feeds.

But today, let’s shift our focus to a different kind of photography – one that’s raw, spontaneous, and often tells unexpected stories: street photography.

Street photography is all about capturing real-life moments as they unfold in public spaces. It’s candid, unplanned, and full of surprises. But here in Qatar, this art form is a bit of a rare find. With local rules around privacy and photography in public spaces becoming stricter, spotting a street photographer at work has become uncommon.

That’s why it’s worth spotlighting Arsenio Nidoy Jr, a Doha-based amateur photographer who’s quietly made waves beyond Qatar. Recently, he was featured on an international photography platform for his witty, perfectly timed street shots. Nidoy is no stranger to local recognition either, having been featured by The Peninsula before for his artistic talents.

“I started taking photos back in 2012, just for fun. I didn’t even know it was called street photography. I just liked snapping random scenes that made my family and friends smile,” he told The Peninsula.

Eager to learn more, Nidoy joined various online photography communities and studied the works of street photography legends like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Elliott Erwitt who are two major influences on his style today.

He also entered several street photography competitions over the years, with one earning him a spot on Streethunters.net’s list of the 20 Most Influential Street Photographers of 2017.

“I was honestly surprised to be featured recently by an international platform. Those were old shots!” he laughed. “I had taken a break during the pandemic and started exploring scribbling as a new art form. But just last week, I picked up my camera again and took a walk around Doha.”

While Nidoy has captured unique scenes around the world, he said it’s his shots from Doha’s streets that continue to connect with people everywhere.

"One of my favourite techniques is juxtaposition where unexpected elements are seen side by side creating humorous images. If any of my photos catch anyone off guard, just know it’s all in good fun and with no deeper message intended," Nidoy explained to The Peninsula.

These days, the Filipino expatriate says he’s extra cautious when shooting in public, mindful of local rules. Still, he’s glad to be back behind the lens and finding joy in everyday moments. Scroll down to see some of his photographs captured over the years that remind us to look closer, laugh a little, and find beauty in the unplanned.

Happy World Photography Day!

'The Challenge' of Humid Days taken on August 15, 2025. "The Challenge," a mural by the late Qatari artist Youssef Al-Sharif Al-Sada, is a 1.4 million-piece mosaic masterpiece located at Building 39 in Katara. (Street photography by Arsenio Nidoy Jr)