Surreal worlds in movies do not need strange architecture or alien plants. They are more relatable when they are a variation of our daily life. Familiar yet different. And sometimes that shift is felt only in the atmosphere of a place, nothing structural at all.
While I was visiting Cairo, a sandstorm had a similar effect. The day before, Cairo was just another place on earth — culturally very different from my own perspective, fascinating nonetheless. Yet the scenery changed completely that day. Everything felt atmospheric and cinematic. You could point your camera almost anywhere and come away with a strong photograph.
For this series, I leaned into a more cinematic colour grade to underline the feeling the sandstorm gave me.
Technical Details
- Ricoh GR-III Street Edition
- Post production in Lightroom and Nik Color Efex