Discovery of self through a lens

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

United Kingdom | Thursday, August 25, 2011 | 5 photos

These series of images were taken according to an idea of being away from my culture and community and how it affects the person, his self and identity. It is a project which I made by using some metaphorical methods such as self portrait, wide lens, a low angle point of view and famous places. Using tourist’s attractions was one way to confirm that this person in the image is an international individual. The self portrait is to confirm that I am as well an international person who lives in a place which is not her community. The low angle is used for taking a self portrait without pointing to me directly, but also to connect with other individuals, who are at the same situation. The wide angle has a metaphoric value for me. It shows how this trip changed my perspectives and point of views, as a person and as an artist. How this trip made me go through confusion but also helped building my personality and discovering who I am and what I want.

I come from Egypt which is a different opposite background and culture. A conservative one and totally different from London, which I did my MA in. I tried not to limit myself in practicing photography in order to improve my knowledge about it in all its categories. I want to be involved in travel photography and visit more places which do not simulate my own culture. I love to know how people in other cultures live and how they cope with every day events. I aim for places where I can learn and build my own character from. Places where I can truly practice my passion of photography and use it to benefit the community I am in, at the same time.