Heritage Documentation Workshop, Cairo

Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation, Supported by the British Council

October 2018

As part of my work with the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation in Cairo, I led a photography workshop for EHRF personnel. The objective was to develop the team’s understanding of photography to more effectively document the vulnerable Islamic heritage of Cairo.

Many of the workshop participants had previously been using compact cameras, photographing in .jpg format with automated camera settings. In the workshop I encouraged the participants to develop a greater understanding of the capabilities of DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, photographing in raw format with more control over ISO, shutter speed and aperture.

The objective was to enable the workshop participants to document heritage projects more effectively, often in challenging conditions. The workshop consisted of three components. Firstly, an introduction to the key concepts of photography and benefits of manual over automated camera settings. Secondly, a practical photography session in historic Cairo trying out the concepts and settings discussed. And thirdly a session back in the studio downloading and processing the images, showing how photography in raw format, using manual settings, allows for more options in post production of images to achieve an optimal result.

I would like to thank the British Council, in particular Cathy Costain, Head of Arts for the British Council in Egypt, for vital support in covering the costs of my trip.