11
2013Mosa’ab Elshamy Photography
Mosa’ab Elshamy Photography
https://www.facebook.com/mosaabelshamy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosaaberising/with/9508552545
What kind of equipment (camera body, lens, filters, flash, tripod, cleaning equipment other) do you use?
I use a Canon EOS 60D. My 24mm f1.4 is my most precious possession and most used lens. I also use the 50mm f1.8 and, occasionally, a zoom lens.
What do you like and dislike about your equipment, specially your camera, and how would you improve it?
The 60D shoots really fast. With the 5.3 fps, it’s much faster than any camera I’ve used and that suits my work a lot, especially during street clashes where it takes less than a second! I think it could do better with auto focusing.
What is your favourite lens, and why?
Easily the Canon 24mm f1.4. Amazing sharpness, works great at night, and suits a lot of photography genres.
When you travel, what is in your essential photographic kit bag?
Same equipment I mentioned above.
What kind of software/tools do you use for post-processing, if any?
Lightroom.
How long have you been taking photographs? How do you find inspiration? How do you take your pictures?
I have been taking photographs since 2006. Back then I was interested in nature photography and, from time to time, I’d shoot some street work. When the Egyptian revolution broke out in early 2011, I found my inspiration and chased the protests with my camera. The turmoil since 2011 has gained me a lot of experience and photojournalism became my inspiration. I am always out on the street looking out for the humane sides in all the chaos. The turmoil has left everyone affected and there’s so much to capture.
Which style of photography do you like the most, and why?
Photojournalism fascinates me. Everything is out there, with no setup or meticulous planning required. But it requires a certain level of compassion and intimacy, of getting real close and finding the little stories that are often lost in the grand scheme of things. That’s a challenge I love and I am always after.
What goal are you working towards within your photography and when will you know you have reached it?
My goal is to make an impact with my photographs. As the violence grows and the circle of blood increases, humanity is being lost and many are turning to monsters. What I aim to is to try and stop that with the very little I have. It is very rewarding to hear that people have been touched by my photos and are becoming more compassionate towards the victims – who are many, and keep changing – rather than become apathetic.
Does your work fit into any one or more distinct genres (nature, landscape, long-exposure, black-and-white, infra-red, urban, artistic, macro, vintage, vernacular, social, street)? If other, please specify.
Photojournalism, social, and street.
Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?
What is the one most important lesson that you have learned since you started taking photographs?
Compassion.
And finally, what other interesting photographers would you like to see in this blog?
LJ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16536699@N07/4953407235/
Lou O’bedlam http://www.flickr.com/photos/louobedlam/
Mahmoud Khaled https://www.facebook.com/mahmoudpix
