Series description
As a freelance photographer I try to be ready for my next assignment, keeping my eyes open and my reflexes fast. Nothing is better for this than practising street photography. My routine is to walk along the streets of Cairo, documenting life as it unfolds around me, without any specific goal. My aim is to create a cohesive body of work from my explorations on the street, and I am particularly drawn to the interplay of colours, shapes and reflections. My fascination with people and the streets fuels my work.
Biography
I studied engineering and after graduation I worked for three years while taking photos as a hobby and in 2011, I decided to quit my job and started working as a photojournalist in a local newspaper for 4 years, now I am a freelancer doing portraits, events and assignments , but I try to keep my documentary photography alive by photographing my family and going on street walks.
A Reflection in the Market
The yellow stopped me and after a couple of shots I started to see the reflection; it was a matter of patience and luck to compose the image.
© Aly Hazzaa, Egypt, 2nd Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Downtown Skater
Skateboarding is becoming very common in the streets of Cairo. In this image I was lucky to capture the reaction of the woman who was taken by surprise when this young man jumped over a bin.
© Aly Hazzaa, Egypt, 2nd Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Traffic Jam
Just as the traffic stalled in a street in Old Cairo, the reflection of a person appeared on a car window. I only had one chance to take this photograph before the cars started to move again.
© Aly Hazzaa, Egypt, 2nd Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Jasmine Fields
Birds flying over jasmine pickers in the early morning. This place is called Shobra Baloulla and is known for its jasmine agriculture and the oil produced from it.
© Aly Hazzaa, Egypt, 2nd Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Early Morning
It is common practice in Egypt for shop owners to throw water in front of their shops to prevent street dust.
© Aly Hazzaa, Egypt, 2nd Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Old and New
A street scene in an Old Cairo alley, seen through a car window.
© Aly Hazzaa, Egypt, 2nd Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Cairo Alleys
Walking through the narrow streets of Old Cairo, I spotted this man wearing a sweater that matched the wall behind him. I waited for another element to complete the image of a traditional Egyptian street; in this case it was the vegetable truck and the man passing by.
© Aly Hazzaa, Egypt, 2nd Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards
Filling the Space
A photograph of Saddam Hussien smoking a cigarette, alongside a passing man with a cigarette of his own. I included myself in the car’s wing mirror, which satisfied my obsession with filling spaces.
© Aly Hazzaa, Egypt, 2nd Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2024 Sony World Photography Awards