To a Multi Media Arts student like my daughter who chose to major in Photography and 2D/3D animation, here in SAudi Arabia, taking pictures in public is a struggle.  She brought along with her the camera she’s been using in her class but she avoids shooting in the open because Saudis are known to raise concerns to being photographed especially women.  Under their law, there are certain areas and government buildings that may not be photographed citing security reasons.

With the proliferation of “point and shoot” cameras, somehow people here are beginning to open up a bit but there are still some who are suspicious that their pictures are taken and sometimes become emotional and will forcibly stop you for taking pictures.   The only safe way to take pictures here is to make sure that you are not pointing your cameras on people or sensitive government buildings or compounds.   Usually, there is “No Photographs please” sign prominently posted so you will be aware .  Well, on the other hand, there are also safer grounds that photography is allowed like Embassies, the comforts of your housing or your compound but still, we make it a point to be discreet and careful in taking pictures in public so as not to violate whatever stand they had about public photography.

That is why, she told me that there are pressures in taking pictures here and there will never be great outdoor subjects available because of the restrictions.   Since her camera is one of those high end bulky DSLR  camera,  we seldom use it outside but instead we prefer to use my compact digital camera because it will go unnoticed and I can travel light considering its size and weight.  I can just toss it in my bag and used it for every shooting opportunity.  We love photographs!

Unless their society comes to term with this photo art, Saudi Arabia will continue to be one of the challenging countries for photographers like my daughter.