The full moon breaks through the skies of Siwa and pours a beaming light over a crowd of Sufis, who absorb the serenity of the sight to soothe their soul. To reach this kind of serenity for five minutes a day is a rare achievement for many, but through just one photograph, it can extend to a lifetime. This photograph was captured in 1994 by one of the most prolific news photographers in the Middle East for over 30 years: American-born Austrian photographer Norbert Schiller. Working for notable news outlets such as Agance France Presse (AFP), the Associated Press (AP), the European Press Agency, and the New York Times, Schiller has covered everything from conflict, politics, insurgencies, as well as street and travel photography. The underlying motive behind all of these photographs was not to define Egypt in a particular way, or ask any questions about why or how it is the way it is. It was much simpler and more modest; it was a fondness for the place and the people. “For me, Egypt became like a love affair. I really wanted to be there. It wasn’t like I…
Over 30 Years of Photographing Egypt: the Lessons and Story of Photographer Norbert Schiller
September 10, 2022
