I did some research on photography in Saudi. Found an article published in Arab News in Riyadh on August 3 2006 claiming that the Kingdom Allows Photography in Public Areas. According the article, in a step to promote tourism in the Kingdom and allow people to better understand the importance of photography and filming in promoting social and cultural development, Saudi Arabia is now officially allowing photography and filming for all citizens and residents in public areas.

It said that public photography would be allowed on the condition that it did not conflict with others’ freedom not to be photographed and that the photographer asks permission from the other party.

Private or public facilities that do not wish to be photographed will be obliged to place signs in view. This includes all forms of filming that include documentary filming, filming, photography and digital photography.

Many Saudis are very receptive to this idea and are realizing that photography is a powerful to show the world that The Kingdom has beautiful landscapes and a thriving culture.

To read the rest of the article, go to Arab News.

Also, according to The Saudi Embassy website, on 07/05/2005, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Secretary General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), said that taking photographs in public places will no longer be prohibited In a move designed to further promote tourism in the Kingdom. The decision will entered into force May 2006. The new rule grants major civilian, military and industrial institutions authority to set their own rules.

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1. Little Birch Jewelry Stand ($26) 2. Antique Brass Earring Stand ($14) 3. Chirp Bracelet Stand ($18) 4. Little Birdie Jewelry Stand ($18)

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1. 365 Pages – A Journal ($38) 2. Cluster Tie ($90) 3. Passion cufflinks ($180)

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1. Radiolaria Bracelect ($55) 2. Japanese Tattoo Koi womens Zip Up Hoodie ($54) 3. “Briar Rose” Three Strap Dress ($208) 4. Cellular 1 ($40)

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1. Tea For One ($24) 2. Wildflower Necklace Stand ($20) 3. Fruit Foot Scrubbers ($6) 4. Cowie India Bank ($18)

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1. Lurex Cut Out Turtleneck ($191) 2. Mod Turtleneck ($208) 3. Metallic Cardigan ($208) 4. Herringbone Scoop Turtleneck ($191)

The older quarters of Riyadh are known as al-Batha’a, which also is the main souk area in Riyadh. It specialises in clothes, electrical appliances and household goods, and is also the place for finding cheap bargains of any imaginable artefact. The souk is covered and has many alleyways and different buildings.

Calligrapher., originally uploaded by Carcura.

We woke up early, picked up Starbucks and were on our way just after 9:00 a.m. With the guidance of co-pilot-kay, we managed to make it to the area fairly quickly, but once there, it got a little tricky. the Souk is huge and there are so many areas within it. We parked near the women’s souk, which is a block away from chop chop square and headed into it. Like many authentic souks, it’s a maze of old buildings intersected by very narrow alleyways.

It’s quite overwhelming at first, but once you find the rhythm of the place, you embrace it. There is everything you can think of here…jewelry, accessories, clothes, food, gadgets, electronics, antiques, really anything. We went into the gold souk, where we saw some beautiful jewelry, and just past it, a maze of saudi and bedouin accessories for the house. Went into one of the shops and walked out with a few bags of small souvenirs for very cheap.

Iraqi Bill with Saddam.
Originally uploaded by Carcura

Our next stop was a small antique shop where the guys found Iraqi paper money from the days of Saddam. Karim scored brand new lebanese liras…50, 100, and 250 lira bills. Paul found beautiful money from Cambodia. We stopped at a frame shop so they could get them framed. All three frames cost 60 riyals…16 dollars.

Going to the souk was quite refreshing. The area is much more green than any part of riyadh I’ve been to. Nice to see locals, purchase a few things on a budget.

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We were visiting some friends during Ramadan when I noticed some really nice black and white family portraits hanging on the wall. My first impression was that the photos were not the usual posed studio portraits…nice lighting and contemporary feel. When I found out that the photographer is Lebanese, Dina Debbas, I was very impressed.

To find out more about Dina Debbas, I logged on to here website. The main element that stood out to me in the family portraits is a cohesiveness in her photos. I also like her portraits and her documentaries, they’re almost like snapshots. Her subjects are engaged and interacting with the camera…great stuff.

I find alot of similarities between me and Dina Debbas. On a personal level she’s a Lebanese woman, born in the late seventies. She has a graphic design background, started her photography career in photojournalism, and moved into portraiture, which is similar to my path into photography. A friend once told me that there are alot of people who can take good photos, but not many people can take good photos of people. I appreciate that skill when I see it.

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Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall Collection 2007 Ready-to-wear.

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1. Minnetonka Fringe Boot ($78) 2. Charm City Boot ($78) 3. Miss Sixty Ester Boot ($285) 4. Minnetonka Triple Fringe ($78)