Series description
This portfolio was shot in the first half of 2022 in Saudi Arabia, where I was based at the time. Given more time, I think these pictures would have fallen into more defined projects or narratives, perhaps relating to the large migrant worker and expat population (of which I was part), or Saudi car culture. As it is, I believe this collection shows my style and technique as a photographer – there is no deliberate connection between the images other than I was searching for special photographs that could eventually develop into projects.
Biography
Documentary and commercial photographer and director based in London.
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Sudanese hitchhiker on the road to Riyadh. There is a lot of hitchhiking in Saudi, as there’s no public transport. I had stopped for fuel at a service station in the otherwise quite remote desert and had no problem persuading Jalal to be photographed.
© James Deavin, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Edge of a campsite and a large landslide in the desert. I had camped nearby myself, after hiking into the desert. Early the next morning I encountered this large group of Malaysians who had also camped overnight to explore the rocks and caves, despite the ominous evidence of enormous landslides.
© James Deavin, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Fruit and veg seller in an old American car. There is a lot of roadside trade and a lot of old American cars.
© James Deavin, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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A small roadside cinema on the edge of town, early in the morning, after a viewing the evening before.
© James Deavin, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Three Syrian boys selling beach toys. Saudi Arabia is a very industrial country. When the industry isn’t oil, it is chemicals or materials like concrete that are used in urban development. It is unavoidable, even near the beach.
© James Deavin, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Two migrant workers at the beach during Eid celebrations. Eid is a holiday for all in Saudi and the beaches are full of people from all walks of life, although most say it is still too cold to swim.
© James Deavin, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Infrastructure being eroded by the wind and sand. There is plenty of development happening in Saudi Arabia, but the erosion on poles like this is a reminder that the desert will eventually reduce everything back to sand.
© James Deavin, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards
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Couple at the corniche looking out to sea. I like very much how she is holding the slender tree.
© James Deavin, United Kingdom, 1st Place, Professional competition, Portfolio, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards