Saudi Arabia, advice please!

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Rui Resende

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Ok, so i got this job, working as an architect (that's what i do), for 6 months in Saudi Arabia, al Khobar.

I can't miss the opportunity to use whatever free time i have to explore the city, surroundings, and photograph the country.

I've been making quite a fair amount of research regarding photography in S.A., which is actually not very appreciated.

The question is, since i'll be shooting mainly film, do you have any life experience in al Khobar? is it possible to buy film and develop it there? The city is quite big, but i don't know what kind of services i can expect. Thanks in advance
 
Oh boy ... will you give up your passport there?
I would go digital 100% for such a visit.
Get a small camera which looks very amateurish to others.
 
Rui Resende said:
so you really think the intrusion of a camera might not be very well regarded there?
Click to expand...

Yes.
When I was in the Navy I spent quite a bit of time on the Arabian Peninsula. 3 deployments between 1998 and 2004.
The culture is fantastic but taking photos like a tourist is not what one should do. Sure, photography is allowed but you always have to be mindful of what and who you are taking photos of. I never had any problems photographing out there but that was about a decade ago and the world has changed a bit since then.
If you are getting a translator, ask him about photography. What, who, when, etc. Do you know any of the language? If not, learn greetings and possibly how to ask "may I take your photograph please?" It went a long way for me.

As for equipment, taking all digital means that when you have your gear cooked on the way in and out you don't fog film. On the other hand, slow black and white isn't adversely affected by heat (130+ in Kuwait for weeks) and it can get hot enough out there that a digital camera won't even work (this happened to my D2h in Kuwait and the Nikon technical guy who handles military accounts said that above a certain temperature the camera won't even turn on. I believe those issues have been fixed though in recent generations.)

Regardless how you approach photography, make sure to smile and be very respectful. Don't show the bottom of your feet to anyone (crossing your legs at a cafe, for instance.) Hot coffee on a hot day is a good thing, too. Have fun.

Phil Forrest
 
I deployed a few times in Saudi Arabia during and after the first gulf war (1991 and on).
I used to take many street shots using an M6 and an F4S. Never had any problem. At the time I felt photography was easier than in my own country, France.
I wonder what it is to developping now, if there are still processing stations with the boom of digital. Saudi Arabia was not a very conservative country in the past (I mean from a technologial point of view).
I wish you a good time here, the desert is just facinating and the poeple are welcoming.
 
Rui Resende said:
so you really think the intrusion of a camera might not be very well regarded there?
Click to expand...

You will face srutiny by security personnel at the airport, both at arrival and at departure. For some reason, film is suspect. All tourists and locals have phones with cameras (sometimes forbidden), but a digital small camera with a good lens is the way to go.
 
goodtimes said:
I deployed a few times in Saudi Arabia during and after the first gulf war (1991 and on).
I used to take many street shots using an M6 and an F4S. Never had any problem. At the time I felt photography was easier than in my own country, France.
I wonder what it is to developping now, if there are still processing stations with the boom of digital. Saudi Arabia was not a very conservative country in the past (I mean from a technologial point of view).
I wish you a good time here, the desert is just facinating and the poeple are welcoming.
Click to expand...

Maybe I am too cautious.
 
I think the social and political climate in the years since the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the subsequent occupation has put a strain on the liberties of visitors a bit more. I think Raid's caution is well founded.
Last time I was in the area (before the recent Iraq war) we still had a very large military presence in Saudi Arabia. That whole region has changed and the US military presence is out in Quatar now.
Is the OP American? Or even western European? Those things may indeed make a difference.

And if you do take a film camera, at the airport you'll have to open the back up and click off a few frames as well as have it go through the swab test. Digitals don't get the same treatment.

Phil Forrest
 
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It may be more fun to have two small digital cameras in the pockets at all times. You can get maybe get some street photos that otherwise you cannot. The political situation these days is very sensitive.
 
I accompanied my mother to the Hajj in 2006/7. We visited Jeddah, Makkah and Medina. Most of the pilgrims had some sort of camera with them (even if it was a mobile phone or small digital). Cameras were tolerated except in a few religious sites. I used a Contax T and Canonet QL 17 and shot a combination of b+w, slides and C41. I took all films with me. I found some shops selling a limited range of colour films. In contrast, there were many shops selling digital equipment.

Only Muslims are allowed in Makkah and Medina. I expect things are a bit more lenient in other cities. Obviously you have to use common sense: don't photograph military/ official buildings, be careful when photographing women etc. But don't be paranoid... people are people... a gentle smile and polite conversation helps a lot.
 
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thanks for the very useful feedback.

So, generally speaking, you would say that i should be careful photographing, because that might not be very welcomed, but it is possible.

I should probably not get there packed with the amount of film that i would use in 6 months living there, right?! And in any case, probably the worst problems i may have is going through the airport's security checks.

I am from Portugal, so i'll probably face the same suspicions as any other westerners.

Well, i think i'll take my chances.

Monz, that's a great set of photos you have. Those are incredible places, that i won't be lucky to see, since i'm not muslim. I'll also be taking one Contax T, that was one of the cameras i had in mind.

Thanks guys!
 
Remember that the Qur'an forbids pictures of animate objects. Some might find having their photograph taken offends their religion.


'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Those who will be most severely punished by Allaah on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, see al-Fath, 10/382).
http://islamqa.info/en/ref/365
 
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ahem ... I do not "remember" ... I would take such interpretations carefully ... there is nothing in Islam that prohibits photography, unless you know more?????
 
A few years back, I visited Riyadh on business and took along a Canon 5D and a small 35/2. The camera never got searched and went in and out with no problems. One thing I found out is that photography of public buildings is not allowed. Taking a stroll one evening I took a snapshot of the main city tower, and immediately I was called by security and told not to take photos, but in a friendly manner. The shot being crappy with high iso at night I deleted it out of curteousy but I didn't really have to. The funny thing is that the next day I noticed postcards everywhere showing the same building. In my opinion, one has just to be careful and polite, and just stop when asked to. Normally Saudis are friendly with foreigners.
 
Raid, Jippiejee and Rui: thanks 🙂

@Rui: if you staying there for 6 months, I would suggest taking at least one "good" digital camera eg DSLR or m4/3 or NEX. If you are planning to do some street photography, then I would suggest a small discreet camera such as m4/3 or NEX. Regarding film cameras, The Contax T is an excellent choice being silent and virtually invisible. Maybe you should also take a backup body, just in case. I think you will have difficulty finding b+w film over there. Colour C41 should not be a problem but the film will probably have been stored in the baking heat. I suggest taking at least some film with you and putting them in a fridge when you get there. Develop them when you get back home.

When I was there, I took plenty of pictures of people without any problem. I don't speak Arabic but I asked permission non-verbally in many instances.... there were very few refusals.
 
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