Taking my camera to Saudi Arabia

Hanley

Hanley

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My wife and I are treating ourselves to 4 nights in Riyadh in a few weeks time, last minute, only booked it today.

I've done some reading online and I'm comfortable that I can take my camera with me, but I'll be sure to be mindful of any signs prohibiting photography and also to stop if requested.
Has anyone here been to Saudia Arabia and taken their camera with them and have any experience to share?

I'll be taking my R5 with either RF 10-20mm F4 or RF 15-35mm 2.8, and RF 24-105mm 2.8.
 
You do not want to take photos of women or children, even if they are not the main focus.
 
Yes, been out to KSA on business a couple of times, going to Riyadh and Jeddah.

Didn’t get to see much of Riyadh other than factories and my hotel (which had an armoured car with armed guards manning it outside) although we were taken out to an old fortress type place in the city one night - didn’t take my camera though.

I’ve seen more of Jeddah though as the hotel on both occasions was on the Corniche. Had no problems whatsoever taking photographs down there and the people are very friendly.

Riyadh is in the middle of the desert so was incredibly hot and dry, and I’d strongly advise not to hire a car - driving standards are radically different to ours and you don’t want to be involved in a crash as it will be your fault, even if it’s not. It’s certainly an interesting experience going there though.
 
Never been but out of curiosity looked up images on Google. Lots of tall buildings taken at blue hour. Might want to take a polarising filter to cut reflections if photographing from skyscrapers. The only other thing I can say is that if you have a lot of camera gear you could be mistaken for a journalist which makes locals a bit wary if they don’t know what you’re doing.
 
viewfromthenorth said:
...and I’d strongly advise not to hire a car - driving standards are radically different to ours and you don’t want to be involved in a crash as it will be your fault, even if it’s not.
Click to expand...


The old Ex-Pat instructions for a car accident in KSA and the UAE used to be:


Keep driving
Drive to the airport
Take the first available flight out of country
Never return.
 
DemiLion said:
The old Ex-Pat instructions for a car accident in KSA and the UAE used to be:


Keep driving
Drive to the airport
Take the first available flight out of country
Never return.
Click to expand...
Sounds about right. Also, never stop to help if you see an accident - if someone dies for any reason while you are trying to help then you will be held legally responsible for their death (or so I was told in the briefing before I went). Just keep going and let the police sort it out.
 
Take blank memory cards. Gives a bored official less excuse to go through all your pictures at the airport.
 
viewfromthenorth said:
I’ve never heard of this happening in KSA and it’s not a precaution that is given to us in the briefing by the company.
Click to expand...
I've done a lot of reading and from what I can gather this is the general advice:

Don't photograph any Government or military buildings
Don't photograph any buildings with a 'No Photography' sign
Do not photograph any women or children
Taking your own picture and having people in the background is acceptable

For me, it's about common sense and being careful and respectful.
 
DemiLion said:
The old Ex-Pat instructions for a car accident in KSA and the UAE used to be:


Keep driving
Drive to the airport
Take the first available flight out of country
Never return.
Click to expand...
viewfromthenorth said:
Yes, been out to KSA on business a couple of times, going to Riyadh and Jeddah.

Didn’t get to see much of Riyadh other than factories and my hotel (which had an armoured car with armed guards manning it outside) although we were taken out to an old fortress type place in the city one night - didn’t take my camera though.

I’ve seen more of Jeddah though as the hotel on both occasions was on the Corniche. Had no problems whatsoever taking photographs down there and the people are very friendly.

Riyadh is in the middle of the desert so was incredibly hot and dry, and I’d strongly advise not to hire a car - driving standards are radically different to ours and you don’t want to be involved in a crash as it will be your fault, even if it’s not. It’s certainly an interesting experience going there though.
Click to expand...
One of my old mates works there about 6 months a year, he said thats still the same as it was years ago, and for goodness sake dont hit a camel....
 
Hanley said:
I've done a lot of reading and from what I can gather this is the general advice:

Don't photograph any Government or military buildings
Don't photograph any buildings with a 'No Photography' sign
Do not photograph any women or children
Taking your own picture and having people in the background is acceptable

For me, it's about common sense and being careful and respectful.
Click to expand...
It’s a different culture for sure, so it’s just a case of respecting it as you would any other culture different to our own.

Hope you enjoy it, Saudi’s are lovely people and while I’ve not had the chance to do any tourism in Riyadh, it’s a fascinating country that is undergoing a lot of positive cultural change.
 
swanseamale47 said:
One of my old mates works there about 6 months a year, he said thats still the same as it was years ago, and for goodness sake dont hit a camel....
Click to expand...


Better a camel than a male child...
 
And who the father of the child might be.
 
Riyadh, Jeddah and other main centres of population together with KSA in the main have certainly moved in in times, however there are some restrictions that you do not want to tussle with. Any government, authority, police, armed service area or personnel or establishment you would definitely not want to photograph, however they are pretty boring in any case and you won't be missing much.

For the local Saudi population (bearing in mind there are so many expats from the west, India, the Philippines etc) the older people will by very adverse to having photographs being taken, but any male younger than around 50 will generally not have any issues, with females it is better to shoot from distance or carefully manage where you point your camera to avoid any embarrassment.

There is a lot of indoctrination from the government to the locals to open up the country for tourism and therefore be more welcoming, and if you stray a little out of line then you're more likely to have someone say something polite to you rather than any authority involvement. If you are sensible then you will not have any issues and will probably meet some very friendly locals who are happy that you are a tourist rather than an expat.

The country is very safe, if you left your camera in the back of a taxi you would likely get it back! Driving is hazardous although fun it its own right, but taxi's offer great opportunity to sit back rather than get frustrated with Riyadh's infamous traffic.

It sounds like you're going soon, the weather is hot - I was in Riyadh for a couple of days last week and it was 45 but dry, which isn't too bad but be prepared.
 
zaytsev said:
Riyadh, Jeddah and other main centres of population together with KSA in the main have certainly moved in in times, however there are some restrictions that you do not want to tussle with. Any government, authority, police, armed service area or personnel or establishment you would definitely not want to photograph, however they are pretty boring in any case and you won't be missing much.

For the local Saudi population (bearing in mind there are so many expats from the west, India, the Philippines etc) the older people will by very adverse to having photographs being taken, but any male younger than around 50 will generally not have any issues, with females it is better to shoot from distance or carefully manage where you point your camera to avoid any embarrassment.

There is a lot of indoctrination from the government to the locals to open up the country for tourism and therefore be more welcoming, and if you stray a little out of line then you're more likely to have someone say something polite to you rather than any authority involvement. If you are sensible then you will not have any issues and will probably meet some very friendly locals who are happy that you are a tourist rather than an expat.

The country is very safe, if you left your camera in the back of a taxi you would likely get it back! Driving is hazardous although fun it its own right, but taxi's offer great opportunity to sit back rather than get frustrated with Riyadh's infamous traffic.

It sounds like you're going soon, the weather is hot - I was in Riyadh for a couple of days last week and it was 45 but dry, which isn't too bad but be prepared.
Click to expand...
Thank you for such a detailed response, it's very helpful.
Yes, we fly out Thursday next week, and weather is going to be mid-40s :ROFLMAO:
 
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