Camel Train, a photo from South Sinai, Delta

Photographer's Note

Camel Train

The one-humped Arabian camel has been an essential part of life in Egypt for thousands of years. Camels are used primarily for transporting goods, but they also provide milk, meat, and wool. Contrary to myth, the camel’s hump is not filled with water, but with fat which allows the camel to survive for up to one week without food. Camels have a third transparent eyelid making them ideally suited to desert life and allowing them to see in sand storms.

When camels walk, they move both legs on one side and then both legs on the other side. This creates a rolling motion, hence their nickname “ships of the desert.”

When traveling in Egypt, camels can take you to places where jeeps cannot go, but it is a slow and bumpy way to travel. I was much more comfortable and confident walking than riding a camel.

patshoo, belido, gunbud, mafegan, bakes888, danasam, Atousa, touristdidi, subhendu_bagchi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

batalay (32858) 2008-06-26 6:42

Hello Betty,

Another truly engaging photograph from your camera. It is exquisitely conceived and flawlessly implemented. The camels threading the crest of the hell, with some tied together seen in the draping ropes. The scale they provide in this sun-parched land is super. The note, well researched, is informative, with a length just perfect. I wish I could limit my voluble notes to just a few essential lines — and indeed, I will try to do so in the future. I will not write tomes!

Warm regards,

Bulent

patshoo (952) 2008-06-26 9:43

Attractive Scene,Good composition and well capture moment when curve line of camel had conform to line of the road,Contrast between camel as subject and line of rock in background made an attractive picture.Good work,TFS.

belido (19934) 2008-06-26 11:00

Hi Betty,

superb composition. You found an excellent pov. It looks high! I like the graphism provided by the camels line in this dry scenary. The human inclusion seems to be essential for the idea of 'guiding' or 'leading'. Very good work!
Regards,
Carlos

jmdias (45780) 2008-06-26 17:40

betty

it is very interesting this pov, showing the camels in a row with the far landscape in the background. This make us to take a mental trip. It is sad light isn't in a better position

hugs

jorge

gunbud (34052) 2008-06-26 20:23

Hi Betty,
Great nature shot with these intresting beast of burden moving over this barren inhospital terrain.
Wonderful sence of motion to this camel train that is seen in excellent detail and sharpness.
Regards, Tom

mafegan (8618) 2008-06-27 5:14

Hello Betty
A nice action scene and by including only part of the camels at either end you get the feeling that they are part of a never-ending circle. Informative notes, thanks for sharing, Marlene

sacimar (25957) 2008-06-27 20:24

Hi Betty,

interesting composition, maybe with a little more sharpness we could appreciate better the details, good idea!

Regards

Sergio

bakes888 (18499) 2008-06-28 2:00

Hi Betty. I think I would be with on “shank’s pony”. Great photo. That looks a long way down, great POV. You have handled the light well for a backlit scene. Well captured and thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

danasam (1075) 2008-06-29 18:18

Hi Betty, just got back.

very good contrast and excellent POV, well done. keep it up :)
Sam.

Crosman (121) 2008-06-30 13:03 [Comment]

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Atousa (7097) 2008-07-01 3:15

Salam Betty,
This is a nice capture n note about these patient animals ..Good compo n interesting lines of the camels n their shadows..well seen n captured..tfs
All the best, Atousa

jrj (34841) 2008-07-02 7:30

Maybe not the best tech Betty but for sure a most interesting result this caravan of camels passing along the desolated landscape. Good use of the vista and look down to the background roads.

crckt (7216) 2008-07-14 18:12

Hi Betty,
The camels look like they have been lifted off the Arabian Nights book. Good note too!
Regards,
Shaeri

testmaniac (13492) 2008-09-15 21:09

Hello Betty, good photo and very good POV. Interesting info.
TFS

Phil

touristdidi (8578) 2008-10-07 12:54 [Comment]

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clio (27955) 2008-10-25 15:00

Bonjour Betty,
I like this strange sort of necklace which crosses the image from right to left with this stony desert in bottom.
The shadows are very successful and the composition is really original.
Congratulations
Diane

fightingillini (217) 2008-11-09 21:10

Betty,

Really cool POV- this camel train is really high up! The framing is really good.

Bill

subhendu_bagchi (16590) 2010-09-29 22:00

Namaste Betty,
nice presentation of this frame. Like the camel train, which is very common view in Rajasthan, India. Anyway your composition is fine and light management is very good. An excellent shot with the nice note. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

danyy (0) 2010-11-08 23:44

Bonjour Betty,
domage que la photo soit un peu surexposée car j'aime beaucoup ce sujet, ces caravanes qui parcourent des fois des centaines de kilomères dans des endroits des plus rudes.
Un cadrage et POV qui montrent bien cet endroit élevé.
Rgards.
daniel.

AKITA (15125) 2010-12-08 0:28

dear Betty,
a beautiful shot of splendid camel parade,
this lined figures and colors of camels are really picturesque like in old Arabian tales,
and back wide and wild field is amazing too,
it is very precious scene now,
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa