Photographing Egypt: Five Expert Tips for the Land of the Pharaohs

Look for Original Angles

Just about everything we’ll see in Egypt has been photographed many times. To make your images stand out, look for unusual angles and fresh ideas. You’ll certainly want to take that wide-angle shot of an entire temple, but make sure you also get up close and play around with photos that emphasize the geometry and textures of the stone.

All Photos: David Cothran

Work with the Desert Light

Egypt’s strong desert light is gorgeous, but it can be quite challenging for photography. Early morning or late afternoon when the angle of the sun is low are ideal times to capture photographs. However, if you must shoot images mid-day, you can work with harsh highlights by seeking out strong geometric patterns or using shadows to frame brightly lit elements. In dim temples, sunlight coming in at a sideways angle can help emphasize the shapes and lines of hieroglyphs and bas-relief figures.

Infuse Your Photos with a Variety of Subjects

A visit to Egypt is filled with visual magic. Beyond the landmarks you’ll find historic mosques and Coptic churches, crumbling Byzantine walls in the shadow of modern skyscrapers, bustling markets and quiet riverside farms—all woven together by the warmth and beauty of the Egyptian people. Capture a variety of different shots that together tell the story of your journey and what it means to you.