News, events and Egyptology from Luxor, copyright Jane Akshar
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Wednesday 23 September 2009
Warning - no photos/cameras in Valley of Kings
Just had a guest return from the Valley of Kings today and absolutely no photos. she is a savvy girl and went to the inspectorate who she knows and they confirmed. So be warned
I know it was banned in the tombs, but what about outside? What if you bring your camera (as you probably will when visitting other sites on the same trip) - will they confiscate? What is next - don't bring cameras to Egypt???? Niels
At long last... you know, some visitors can't stop by taking photos outside, if they have the camera by themselwes, they - sorry - usually try to take photos inside. OK, but what's the way to check if somebody has the camera in the pocket or not? They doesn't have the right to delve anybody...
Hello Jayne and all, I have to ask what is the point to all of this and where will it end? Yes I agree about not using flashes inside tombs,and these days if people take the time to study their camera and learn how to use it, there is no need.But outside in daylight! What is it they don't want you to see or take pictures of?For a lot of tourists this will undoubtedly be upsetting,particullarly those who only have the money for a one time trip,and learn of this new 'law' on the day of their arrival into the valley. Will Luxor and Karnak Temples be next, or even taking photographs of any kind out in the open? If I hadn't got so many from yester year then I would be pretty damned upset as a first time visitor. Stupid things of this nature should be printed in the holiday brochures so that people have plenty of time too think it over as to whether they want to visit a country that is so insessed about not allowing photographs. Hello Egypt this is what tourists do!! It is as stupid as the time some years ago when I was staying at the Emilio Hotel and as always loved sitting outside the hotel on the chairs provided, and then one day it stopped for no good reason. I was told of the person who did this,some big Egyptian man and I was fortunate to get hold of him in his big flash car as he arrived outside of the hotel one time.I asked why he had made the decission. His answer was because it was a danger for me and others,what rubish I told him. Tell me how it is I can sit in the cafe next door [when it was there] I can sit on the grass in the square [when it was there] and I can sit on the kurb anytime I want too,but you wont allow me to sit on a chair outside my hotel." Because it is not safe". This was of coarse after the shooting at Hatchepsut Temple.What a load of unneccessary and unjust rubish.I also ask,what about mobile telephones , I have the new HTC Hero and the camera is as good as many proper camera.I sugjest they make it easy on themselves and confiscate them on arrival at the airport,with the one or two tourists that will be visiting it wouldn't prove any great difficulty!
it started with no flash but many tourists did not know who turn off their flash, forgot or ignored it. So then it was no cameras but people ignored that to, taking them out of pockets and rucksacks so now it is no cameras in the valley at all.
So I am afraid the minority have ruined it for the majority.
Jane, it was not a tourist there has not photographed inside the tombs... a minority, Sorry where you live? (Yes, I know in Luxor West-Bank) What can we do this if the administration is unable to prevent the corruption is in their employees. What can I ensure that the people are too stupid to use her camera.
...and it ends as it always ends in Egypt!
But it was once a fantastic solution. The sale of the photo tickets! What I've also done a few years ago.
Answer me only one question: Does the filming or photographing (no flash) an impact on the conservation of the graves? ... So the problem still lies in the amount of visitors and the inability of the administration.
A second question: What do you think what damage the lighting in the display cases (inside the tombs)arise?
Is it not also true that photography simply takes too long? The number of visitors per minute must be observed (This one has now illuminated at night) This is a disadvantage for the travel business and because they will sweating too long in the tomb.
Must soon give up all their hands otherwise be touched the walls? ;)
I also forgot to ask the question,has some 'fat cat local' now got a monopoly on selling postcards of the valley,and this is why they have stopped it? Know doubt the price of postcards of the valley and its surroundings and tombs will increase! Or am I being a little unjust and synical. And another thing,what about tourist that are lucky enough to float over the area in a balloon,are they not allowed to take photographs.?
Hi Jane and everyone on the blog. I have just contacted my friend who is an Egyptologist and an Egyptian. He has confirmed that cameras are no longer allowed in the Valley of the Kings and he is advising people to leave them on the coach. When I last visited the Queens Valley our bags were searched for cameras, I am assuming they are doing this now at VoK. I even saw a tourist have his camera taken from him in a tomb, and he was made to delete the photos. Hope this helps any future visitors. Carolyn x
Am I right in saying that this same thing happened in 1922 when Lord Canarvon banned camera from the Valley as he had just sold all photographic right to The Times of London. Had Zahi Hawass and his all Egyptian team found something to be announced in October that could explain this? Anyone local able to say? I am going there mid-November so will see what I see then.
I think no pictures in the tombs!? Now no longer in the Valley?
ReplyDeleteSo does this mean, no photos outside the tombs, no photos at all?
ReplyDeleteI know it was banned in the tombs, but what about outside? What if you bring your camera (as you probably will when visitting other sites on the same trip) - will they confiscate? What is next - don't bring cameras to Egypt????
ReplyDeleteNiels
Yes, Gaynor and I ran into that last week when we went to see Horemheb's tomb.
ReplyDeleteSharon
They were taking cameras at the gate, nothing inside the valley at all!!
ReplyDeleteWill you get your camera again, when you leave the valley then? Some kind of number system - as a cloakroom?
ReplyDeleteNiels
they have a system like that but i would leave it in the coach or taxi
ReplyDeleteI can not believe it! Is that confirmed somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteIt is then impossible with a camera: The path from KV in the mountains and vice versa!
Beautiful new Luxor!
At long last... you know, some visitors can't stop by taking photos outside, if they have the camera by themselwes, they - sorry - usually try to take photos inside.
ReplyDeleteOK, but what's the way to check if somebody has the camera in the pocket or not? They doesn't have the right to delve anybody...
Are mobile phones now being confiscated? Some of them can take high quality pictures.
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean they are confiscating mobile phones? Some of them can take high quality photos.
ReplyDelete@Clandestino Believe me, they can do anything they want!
ReplyDelete@stewarth99 If it has a camera, why not?
I miss the whole of the confirmation and a description of what exactly. There are only a guest of Jane and other tourists at "HolidayChack".
Jane in the meantime, you know more?
Hello Jayne and all, I have to ask what is the point to all of this and where will it end? Yes I agree about not using flashes inside tombs,and these days if people take the time to study their camera and learn how to use it, there is no need.But outside in daylight! What is it they don't want you to see or take pictures of?For a lot of tourists this will undoubtedly be upsetting,particullarly those who only have the money for a one time trip,and learn of this new 'law' on the day of their arrival into the valley. Will Luxor and Karnak Temples be next, or even taking photographs of any kind out in the open? If I hadn't got so many from yester year then I would be pretty damned upset as a first time visitor. Stupid things of this nature should be printed in the holiday brochures so that people have plenty of time too think it over as to whether they want to visit a country that is so insessed about not allowing photographs. Hello Egypt this is what tourists do!! It is as stupid as the time some years ago when I was staying at the Emilio Hotel and as always loved sitting outside the hotel on the chairs provided, and then one day it stopped for no good reason. I was told of the person who did this,some big Egyptian man and I was fortunate to get hold of him in his big flash car as he arrived outside of the hotel one time.I asked why he had made the decission. His answer was because it was a danger for me and others,what rubish I told him. Tell me how it is I can sit in the cafe next door [when it was there] I can sit on the grass in the square [when it was there] and I can sit on the kurb anytime I want too,but you wont allow me to sit on a chair outside my hotel." Because it is not safe". This was of coarse after the shooting at Hatchepsut Temple.What a load of unneccessary and unjust rubish.I also ask,what about mobile telephones , I have the new HTC Hero and the camera is as good as many proper camera.I sugjest they make it easy on themselves and confiscate them on arrival at the airport,with the one or two tourists that will be visiting it wouldn't prove any great difficulty!
ReplyDeleteit started with no flash but many tourists did not know who turn off their flash, forgot or ignored it. So then it was no cameras but people ignored that to, taking them out of pockets and rucksacks so now it is no cameras in the valley at all.
ReplyDeleteSo I am afraid the minority have ruined it for the majority.
I agree it is going to be difficult to enforce
Jane, it was not a tourist there has not photographed inside the tombs... a minority, Sorry where you live? (Yes, I know in Luxor West-Bank) What can we do this if the administration is unable to prevent the corruption is in their employees. What can I ensure that the people are too stupid to use her camera.
ReplyDelete...and it ends as it always ends in Egypt!
But it was once a fantastic solution. The sale of the photo tickets! What I've also done a few years ago.
Answer me only one question: Does the filming or photographing (no flash) an impact on the conservation of the graves? ... So the problem still lies in the amount of visitors and the inability of the administration.
A second question: What do you think what damage the lighting in the display cases (inside the tombs)arise?
Is it not also true that photography simply takes too long? The number of visitors per minute must be observed (This one has now illuminated at night) This is a disadvantage for the travel business and because they will sweating too long in the tomb.
Must soon give up all their hands otherwise be touched the walls? ;)
do they really not know an other solution
ReplyDeleteI also forgot to ask the question,has some 'fat cat local' now got a monopoly on selling postcards of the valley,and this is why they have stopped it? Know doubt the price of postcards of the valley and its surroundings and tombs will increase! Or am I being a little unjust and synical. And another thing,what about tourist that are lucky enough to float over the area in a balloon,are they not allowed to take photographs.?
ReplyDeleteHi Jane and everyone on the blog. I have just contacted my friend who is an Egyptologist and an Egyptian. He has confirmed that cameras are no longer allowed in the Valley of the Kings and he is advising people to leave them on the coach. When I last visited the Queens Valley our bags were searched for cameras, I am assuming they are doing this now at VoK. I even saw a tourist have his camera taken from him in a tomb, and he was made to delete the photos. Hope this helps any future visitors.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn x
More and more people will think "I do have a strange feeling that it might be due to the ongoing excavations"
ReplyDeleteAm I right in saying that this same thing happened in 1922 when Lord Canarvon banned camera from the Valley as he had just sold all photographic right to The Times of London. Had Zahi Hawass and his all Egyptian team found something to be announced in October that could explain this? Anyone local able to say? I am going there mid-November so will see what I see then.
ReplyDeleteHello Dave, you read also Kate Phizackerley?
ReplyDeleteI am going there end-October so will see what I see then!