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!