Features, Press & Media Coverage
Over the years, my astrophotography, architectural work, and educational guides have been featured across international documentaries, global photography platforms, and leading Qatari media outlets. Below are select highlights, press features, and reader feedback from published articles.
Broadcasting & International Documentaries
F1 & Qatar Airways – The Pit Stop (Doha Episode, March 2025)
Format: In-Flight Documentary Series | On-Camera Interview & Photography Feature
Production: RD Studios (UK) for Qatar Airways & Formula 1®
Featured as Qatar’s leading astrophotographer in the official F1 / Qatar Airways travel series The Pit Stop. Hosted by professional racing driver Lindsay Brewer, the segment explores the experience of stargazing and capturing the night sky across Qatar’s desert landscapes, alongside a broadcast display of my signature astrophotography work.
International Editorial Features
Space.com
Publisher: Space.com / Future US Inc.
Topic: Rare Celestial Alignment & Annual Best Space Photography
"Perfectly Parallel: Skywatcher Spots Milky Way and ISS" (June 2016): An interview and dedicated feature detailing my capture of a rare, parallel pass of the International Space Station (ISS) alongside the core of the Milky Way, framed with red LED light painting in the desert near Doha, Qatar.
"The 100 Best Space Photos of 2016" (December 2016): Selected from thousands of global submissions, my ISS and Milky Way photograph captured in the Qatari desert was featured among Space.com’s top 100 astrophotographs of the year.
Published Educational Tutorials & Technical Writing
500px ISO
How To Shoot An Electrifying Self-Portrait Under The Milky Way
Format: On-Location Planning, Shooting & Post-Processing Guide
A comprehensive tutorial covering planning, gear selection, intervalometer techniques, light-painting diagrams, and Adobe Camera Raw workflows for executing self-portraits under the Milky Way core.
Digital Photography School (DPS)
Single Image Star Trails: A Powerful Technique to Create Star Trails in Minutes Using Photoshop
Format: Technical Educational Guide & Photoshop Workflow
An in-depth article exploring the astronomy and geometric mechanics behind star trails (including North Star and vortex trails) while introducing an innovative Photoshop post-processing technique to generate star trails from a single exposure.
Book Covers & Commercial Publishing Licenses
500px ISO
Book Cover Feature: The Occurrence: A Political Thriller by Robert Desiderio (Post Hill Press, 2020)
Licensing Type: Commercial Book Cover Photography Rights
Details: Licensed desert astrophotography featured as the official front cover art for the sci-fi/political thriller novel The Occurrence by American author and actor Robert Desiderio. The image captures the core of the Milky Way sweeping over the Qatari desert dunes, setting the dramatic, mystical backdrop for the story.
Qatar & Regional Press Features
Time Out Doha
Northwestern Qatar Attractions Feature (September 2017)
Coverage: Double-page spread highlight featuring astrophotography captured at "Galactic Core Bay" along Qatar’s northwestern coastline, showcasing the Milky Way arching over natural coastal landmarks.
I Love Qatar (ILQ)
PHOTOS: The Milky Way Galaxy, as Seen from Qatar (April 2014)
Coverage: Syndicated interview and photo showcase detailing overnight desert astrophotography expeditions near Al-Aamiriyah, including technical advice on stargazing, night visibility, and tracking galactic angles.
Doha News
Opinion: Galactic Core Bay – The Best Place to See the Milky Way in Qatar (December 2015)
Coverage: In-depth feature and editorial review of a hidden astrophotography gem discovered along the Qatari coast, detailing location logistics, wild sea waves, and compositional techniques for capturing the galactic core.
PHOTOS: This is Qatar, by Hammad Iqbal (December 2013)
Coverage: Dedicated artist spotlight highlighting iconic cityscape photography and dramatic blue-hour exposures across West Bay, Al Khor, and the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).
Qatar Living
"Listening to the Stars" Feature (April 2014)
Coverage: Showcase and interview on observing the night sky, capturing panoramic Milky Way arches, and practicing astrophotography in the southern Qatari desert.
Featured in Time Out Doha for discovering and photographing Milky Way alignments along Qatar's northwest coast.
Syndicated press feature by Doha News and ILoveQatar on night sky photography in the Qatari desert.
Artist feature in Doha News capturing Doha's urban architecture, West Bay skyline, and MIA.
Doha News editorial coverage highlighting "Galactic Core Bay" as Qatar's premier astrophotography spot.
Qatar Living feature on observing and capturing the Milky Way arch over Qatar's desert.
Reader Feedback & Editorial Reviews
"Thanks for the tutorial. The post processing was what I've been missing, can't wait to try this out."
- Nicholas Shirley, 500px ISO
"Wonderful how you have talked us through everybody's mistakes after our first misadventures of star shooting, now i need a dark night to try again with better results ..thanks for this."
- Adrian Irvine, Digital Photography School
"Amazing tutorial, Hammad! I learned a lot and will try some of your tips in my next milky way night!"
- Björn Hoffmann, 500px ISO
"Brilliant tutorial, will be trying these methods next week!"
- Robin Graves, Digital Photography School
"The best tutorial on 500px so far. Detailed. Touched every rookie mistake that is possible and making others learn from ground up! Excellent tutorial."
- Hasaan Fazal, 500px ISO
"Very informative tutorial. Thank you for sharing Hammad. Some may say this is slightly cheating, but I don't care. Like you said, who needs to freeze and stay in one spot for 8-12 to get the same effect. Much better to get multiple angles and foregrounds to play with later in post. Looking forward to trying this very soon."
- Bill Bentley, Digital Photography School