Jim Kayalar

Egypt Alight Jim Kayalar

Egypt Alight is a historically significant photo book. It portrays vintage images of Egypt from an era long gone. The book will showcase to the reader the beauty of mystical, exotic and mysterious Egypt. John Henrik Clarke Professor of Africana studies said: "Egypt gave birth to what later would become known as "Western Civilization" long before the greatness of Greece and Rome. Egypt is a large country and does not easily reveal itself to the visitor. A photo book on Egypt has to be equally big in order to showcase the unique country and its unique peoples. The book starts with Cairo and takes the reader to Luxor. These two destinations are the most frequently visited and also allow an initial insight into the Egyptian culture. The Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx and its surroundings are of course the major highlights of Egypt Alight. Luxor awards the reader with Kardak Temple, Abu Simbel, Edfu and the majestic Fellucca sailboats on the Aswan Lake. Artistic license has been used minimally to enhance the quality of the photographs. Why buy a book of historic or vintage photography? Historic and vintage photos allow a trip into the past and into a time of less development and less people. Not necessarily into a better time or place but a time reflecting a moment in time that was perhaps unspoiled and less used if you will. What makes Egypt a challenging destination is that you never know what you will come across the next corner. The photographs have been arranged so as to surprise the reader and give them a similar experience. The large format of the book and layout allow the reader to better experience the sights and sounds of a unique way of life as it unfolds. Photography is both an art and a science. A mix of light, opportunity, time and space. It is to be at the right place at the right time as well as with the right subjects and objects. Sometimes what is in front of the camera is just as interesting as who is behind the camera. The photo represents an outcome that consists of all social and cultural paradigms both in front and behind the camera as well as technical and social skills of the photographer.