Egypt: A Photography Guide to the Land of Pharaohs
We think every kid in the US has dreamed about becoming an Egyptian explorer at some point.
Stories about Tutankhamun, booby-trapped pyramids, and ancient mummies were undoubtedly History class highlights, and 90s movies like The Mummy only made the fascination more intense.
It’s fair to say that, as kids, if we had the opportunity to fly anywhere in the world, we would have travelled to Egypt without hesitation.
So why has that urge fizzled out now that we’re adults?
In our opinion, Egypt is one of the most exciting vacation destinations, with some of the best cultural landmarks and activities. For the photographer, it’s also home to some of the most spectacular landscapes you’ll ever capture, with plenty of details and intricacies that can provide some fantastic fodder for your Instagram photo book.
With all of this in mind, we’re going to take you through Egypt, using our photography guide to highlight the best locations and activities that you can experience there.
Visit the Oldest Wonder of the World
Starting with the obvious, the reason Egypt should be high up on your vacation list has a lot to do with the Great Pyramid of Giza. This is the oldest wonder of the world, and it’s the last wonder still in existence today.
When you get here, that rush of childish excitement will undoubtedly bubble up inside you once again, but it’s important to hold that in a little when you take your photographs! This isn’t about arriving at the pyramids and snapping any old picture.
There are so many interesting and intricate ways to shoot the pyramids, one of them including the infamous ‘Giza Panorama’ shot that has become a bit of a trend in the photography world.
Photograph the First Ever Pyramids
The only thing about photographing the pyramids around Giza is that it can be a little restrictive – given the security that exists to keep them safe. Unbeknownst to some travellers, however, there are more than 100 pyramids in Egypt.
Some of these are located in the Djoser and the Dahshur complex, which is just south of Cairo. Being a lot less crowded, you have more chances of snapping the photograph that you want to take. They may not be as visually impressive as the Great Pyramid of Giza, but these are pyramids in Egypt, built almost 4,000 years ago, so it’s not like they're a downgrade!
Sail Along the River Nile
Another wonder that Egypt is known for is the River Nile, a major river that flows through northeastern Africa. Thousands of years ago, this river was critical in the development of Ancient Egypt, and today, it is just as critical for its tourism industry.
Every year, tourists from around the world take sailing trips up the river from Luxor, with wooden sailing boats that provide some of the most romantic and unique experiences you can have.
If you’re looking to upload a varied collection of photos to our photo book maker, this is undoubtedly a trip you should take. With some tours taking the full day, there are so many things to see and do, including spotting some of the local wildlife -- wildlife such as the pied kingfisher, the Egyptian mau, and maybe even the Nile crocodile!
Capture Some Bustling City Pictures
Visiting and photographing Egypt is a little like visiting and photographing Greece – it’s easy to think it’s still Ancient Egypt and predominantly explore the deserts, the Nile, the pyramids, the sphinx, the tombs, and all of that good History stuff that you loved as a kid.
But Egypt is vast and home to some incredible cities, including the city of Alexandria, which sits on the Mediterranean coast.
Founded by Alexander the Great, this is a historic destination that is also a buzzing, cultural haven. While here, you can visit Bleu – undoubtedly Alexandria’s coolest venue – the Spitfire bar, and the beautiful Montazah gardens.
This is a city that a lot of tourists miss out on, choosing instead the city of Cairo. We don’t blame them, seeing as Cairo is the centre point of Egyptian culture and nightlife, but Alexandria has so many gems that are just as good.
Take the Photograph of a Lifetime
Lastly, we can’t talk about Egypt without mentioning Sharm el-Sheikh, which is one of the most popular places for travellers to base themselves.
From here, you can visit the Red Sea, explore the Sinai desert, go for camel rides with the kids, and gaze at the constellations when they shine across the sky at night.
While here, you’re bound to take the photo of a lifetime. There’s so much to do and so much to see, that it’s almost certainly going to happen. You just have to hold tight, enjoy the ride, and take as many photographs as you can!
