Photography Views of Riyadh
I remember arriving in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time on a night flight, looking at the city from above, and I thought: "Wow, this is vast…" That was my first impression when I looked at the continuous city lights of five million people in a city that is built horizontally and at some point abruptly ends where the desert starts.
During the flight, I questioned my decision to change a great summer in Barcelona for a work project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. My sense of adventure and exploring the unknown got the better of me, and I decided to embark on this adventure to somewhere that I didn't have much background information about, but let's do this!
My time living in Riyadh happened before the social changes implemented by the new regime. My point of view came from a time when women couldn't drive, the Mutawa religious police were still lurking in the shadows, but I could feel the upcoming social changes, especially having contact with young Saudis and their expectations. Therefore, I encountered welcoming people, great outdoors, a tight and friendly expat community, amazing food, and an absolutely busy, crazy metropolis, where the new and modern blends with desert life and tradition. Fast cars zigzagged between less powerful cars and immigrant worker pick-ups, while skyscrapers provided captivating views and sunrises. That's when shy graffiti started appearing — it all looked different and visually interesting for photography.
After a few weeks driving from my compound in the desert to the city center, I was assured that this would be a very different summer and experience.
Where the city end and the desert starts
Cityscape view of Riyadh
My time for reflection with a view
Bedouin in the outskirts of Riyadh
The Kingdom Tower
Arabic tea time
Compound life
Old style typical restaurant
Syrian food
Night skyscrapers
Night photography cityscape
Street Art in the city center
Another set of street art
Typical roadside shop lights
“This photography story aims to show some of the visual characteristics of Riyadh, from the never-ending city view to the imposing skyscrapers, the brown colour palette inherited from the desert and sand, to the night city lights.”
