Stories in the Sand: Arbab Naimat Kasi Views the World from Above as Art

My award-winning piece “Sculpted by Time” was taken with a drone over the mud hills of Yaro, near Quetta in Balochistan. From above, the terrain looks almost otherworldly, rich earthy tones split by veins and patterns carved by centuries of erosion. What fascinated me was how the landscape, which may seem ordinary when seen up close, transforms into something abstract and poetic from the sky.

The inspiration came directly from nature itself. These hills are silent storytellers of time shaped by wind, water, and elemental forces. To me, this image reflects not just the geology of the region, but the idea that nature is the greatest artist of all.

Winning the Global Photography Awards for this piece feels like a milestone in my journey. It validates my belief that photography is more than documentation; it is a way of revealing hidden perspectives and emotions. It encourages me to keep exploring landscapes, film, and extreme micro-photography, pushing boundaries to uncover beauty that often goes unnoticed.

When selecting a photo for a competition, I always look for images that are more than just visually strong. They must also carry a deeper story or emotional connection. For me, it’s about asking: Does this photograph reveal something unique? Does it have the power to engage viewers beyond the first look?

I also consider the technical aspects: composition, light, detail, and how the image holds up at larger scales. But above all, I focus on whether the photo reflects my personal vision, whether it speaks about nature, time, or hidden perspectives that inspire my work.

Competitions are about sharing a piece of yourself with the world, so I choose photographs that I feel most connected to, the ones that represent both my artistic style and my journey as a photographer.

Since childhood, I’ve always been fascinated by films. I used to wonder how they were made and what went on behind the scenes. That curiosity stayed with me for years.

Later, when I saw my cousin, Mahmood Kasi, working with a camera, framing shots and capturing moments, something instantly clicked. It felt like I had found the missing piece, a way to express what I had always admired in cinema, but through still images.

I bought my first camera back in 2006, one of those small MP4 cameras with just 2 megapixels, and I still have it today. It reminds me of where this journey began and how passion, not gear, is what truly shapes an artist. 

My favorite type of photography will always be landscape photography, because it connects me deeply with nature. Standing before vast mountains, quiet deserts, or endless horizons gives me a sense of peace and belonging. I love waiting for the perfect light, the brief moment when everything aligns. Landscapes teach me patience and humility, and through them I can share the beauty of places that many people may never have the chance to see in person.

Alongside landscapes, I’ve also developed a strong passion for film photography and extreme macro. Film gives me a sense of calm and satisfaction that digital photography rarely does. It’s a slow process from capturing the frame to developing the negatives and finally scanning the image. Every step demands patience and care, and that slowness allows me to observe more, to think more, and to truly connect with my work.

Extreme micro, on the other hand, opens up hidden worlds. It allows me to explore textures, patterns, and forms that the naked eye often misses. Together, these genres keep me creatively challenged and constantly evolving as an artist.

My go-to setup is built around the Nikon Z8, paired with the NIKKOR Z 14–30mm f/4, 70–200mm f/2.8, and 180–600mm lenses, along with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone. This combination gives me the flexibility to capture everything from sweeping landscapes to distant mountain peaks with incredible detail.

The Nikon Z8 works perfectly for me because it’s a true hybrid camera. Its 45-megapixel sensor produces stunning high-resolution images, while the ability to shoot 12-bit RAW video allows me to explore filmmaking alongside photography. It’s powerful, reliable, and perfectly suited for the kind of work I do, where stills and motion often blend together to tell a story.

The drone has also become an essential part of my creative process. In a region like Balochistan, where the terrain is vast and dramatic, aerial photography offers an entirely new perspective. The drone helps me capture the scale and textures of landscapes that simply can’t be seen from the ground.

Together, this setup allows me to create work that feels both expansive and intimate, balancing the grand beauty of nature with the quiet details that make every scene unique.

When someone looks at my work, I want them to feel a sense of peace and connection with nature. Many of my photos are taken in quiet, untouched places of Balochistan, where time seems to slow down. I want viewers to pause for a moment to feel the stillness, the colors, and the silence that nature offers.

At the same time, I hope my work inspires curiosity about the unseen beauty around us. Whether it’s a mountain bathed in golden light or a hidden desert path, I want people to realize that every landscape holds a story waiting to be discovered.

The most challenging part was dealing with strong winds while flying the drone over the Mud Hills of Quetta. The terrain is unpredictable, and the wind can shift suddenly, making it risky to keep the drone stable. I had to wait patiently for the right moment when the light and weather aligned perfectly.

It wasn’t just about the technical challenge; it was about timing, endurance, and trusting my instincts. In the end, the moment lasted only a few seconds, but it captured the raw, untouched beauty of Balochistan exactly as I had imagined.

Balochistan’s landscapes inspire me the most. The region holds an incredible diversity of colors and moods from the warm tones of its deserts to the deep blues of Gwadar’s sea and the breathtaking sunsets of Jiwani. Each location tells its own story through light and texture.

Whenever I pass through the Mud Hills of Quetta, I’m reminded of Ridley Scott’s The Martian. The surreal terrain feels almost otherworldly, like you’re standing on another planet. That sense of mystery and vastness is what keeps me inspired to explore and capture more of Balochistan’s beauty.

My biggest influence has always been my family, especially my elder brother, Arbab Bacha Kasi. Their constant support, whether it’s helping me with equipment or simply encouraging me to keep going, has been the foundation of my journey.

Artistically, my mentor Jawad is the one who made me truly understand what art means. Every time I saw his work, it inspired me to study art more deeply and explore filmmaking with greater passion. Mahmood Kasi, Afzal Kasi, Aamir Khan Milizai and Farqalit have also been a huge part of my growth. They supported me in my artistic journey and gave me valuable lessons that continue to shape the way I create today.

My message to photographers is simple: don’t wait for perfection, start sharing your work. Every image you create reflects your growth, your story, and your way of seeing the world. Participating in awards isn’t just about winning; it’s about gaining confidence, learning from others, and celebrating your creative journey.

My advice is to always stay true to your vision. Don’t chase trends or compare your work with others. Focus on expressing what moves you, whether it’s light, emotion, or a moment that feels real. When your work is honest, it will naturally stand out.

Be patient and stay curious. Photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about learning to see. Don’t rush to master everything at once; instead, spend time observing light, colors, and moments around you.

You don’t need expensive equipment to begin. Even an old camera can create something beautiful if you understand light and composition. Focus on what you can express through your lens, not on what gear you have.

Experiment with different styles, make mistakes, and learn from them. Most importantly, never lose the excitement you had when you first picked up a camera; that passion will guide you further than any rule or technique ever could.

Editing plays a major role in my creative process. In landscape photography, post-processing helps me bring out the depth and emotion that I experienced while capturing the scene. Techniques like dodging and burning allow me to guide the viewer’s eye and create a stronger sense of light and atmosphere.

Photography isn’t just about capturing a moment; it’s also about enhancing it during editing and post-processing. Adjusting highlights, shadows, and tones helps reveal the image’s full potential. Editing has always been a part of photography; only the tools and styles have evolved. 

Even in the film era, photographers controlled the developing time to make an image darker or brighter. The essence remains the same, shaping the image to match the emotion you felt when taking it.

AI is an incredible tool; it allows artists to bring almost any visual idea to life, especially in fine art photography. It opens new creative possibilities that were once impossible.

However, as a landscape photographer, I also feel that AI is changing the essence of photography. Traditional photography was about being present, searching for the perfect frame, waiting for the right light, and experiencing the environment firsthand. With AI, that process is becoming more about imagination than observation.

In the film era, photographers studied every detail carefully to avoid overexposure or underexposure. Then came digital cameras and editing software like Adobe, which made things easier and now AI takes it even further. It removes the need to think deeply about light, timing, or location.

So while I respect AI for its potential, I still believe the heart of photography lies in being there, feeling the scene, the light, and the moment before pressing the shutter. That’s something technology can never truly replace.

If I ever had the chance, I would love to photograph Ansel Adams and Steven Spielberg together, captured on 8x10 black and white film. One represents the soul of photography, and the other the magic of cinema. For me, both of them shaped the way we see and feel stories, one through stillness, and the other through motion. To photograph them in a single frame would be like capturing two worlds of art meeting in timeless harmony.