Comments please - Everyday Egypt

[kxl]

Just wanted to solicit some comments before I printed these in a book. This compilation is a reminder of why I somewhat regret selling my R-D1S.
All comments welcome.

EVERYDAY EGYPT:

http://jalbum.net/browse/user/album/353979/


Thanks,
-Keith

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Some of them are quite good, I think, but your subjects are often deep in shadow, or have their faces turned away. They seem a bit random to me.

This one here is a good example (below)...only the background is adequately exposed.

But the one of the shopkeeper in that cavelike building, with the beams of light coming down...that one is really something.

 

[35mmdelux]

Everyday in the poor part of town. Where are the expensive cribs? The expensive neighborhoods got to exist, no?

 

[kxl]

Thanks for the comments sof far:

* Riding a bicycle could get tough.

* Comment re: shadows, averted eyes, randomness noted. Aesthetically, I don't mind the blocked shadows, but I see your point. The randomness was primarily because the sequence of the images were chronological, based on my visit. The averted eyes - my timing was off on some (too slow to focus - so some were able to avert their eyes.

* Good catch re: rich areas. I was obviously a visitor going from one tourist spot to another and some local neighborhoods (local cabbie as guide), so my experience would have been guided by my pre-trip research and my local cabbie's experience. These images were representative. So, while I'm sure there were ritzy hoods around town, they certainly were well-kept secrets. Never thought about that point, but you're right.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Very nice, you capture the essence of Cairo. Watching soccer and then viewing your portfolio makes me miss Egypt Nice work in an area of the world that is not always easy to photograph...

Best wishes with your publication,

 

[fixbones]

Nice work capturing the mundane everyday life.
I do agree that some shots seems random but sometimes, random shots can yield unexpected results.
The image of the old man sitting with his right leg up next to a purple table is a winner for me =D

Also, i will be going to Egypt in 5 weeks time. So these pictures are certainly a nice preview!!!

Any travelling/photography tips for my upcoming trip to Egypt?

 

[kxl]

Any travelling/photography tips for my upcoming trip to Egypt?

Thanks for your comments. Some tips:

1) Be prepared for some high contrast, although, coming from Oz, you should be right at home.

2) Be aware of the 'adhan' - call for prayers 5 times per day.

3) Be prepared for the congestion in foot and auto traffic, especially in downtown Cairo and Giza.

4) Think about contracting with a local cabbie to be your guide. Take a cab to Khan al-Khalili, and choose from among the cabbies there. At a conversion rate of 1 AUD to 5 EGP, you should be able to negotiate a daily rate that is good for both you and the cabbie.

5) Note that while Egypt is not a rich country compared to the US (or Oz), it is actually one of the richer countries in North Africa.

6) The Egyptians, in general, are very friendly -- in my travels, I'd rank them a very close second to the Aussies in terms of genuine friendliness.

7) Baksheesh.

Have fun!