David Degner

Boston Photographer and Photojournalist

Photojournalism & Editorial Photography

This is a small portion of my editorial photography portfolio. It consists of daily assignments for newspapers and magazines, long-term photo projects, and visual musings.  Hopefully over time I will be able to post more from my photography archive.

Toshka

A field of grains at KADCO, Kingdom Agricultural Development Company, invested in by Prince Walid Bin Talal.The Toshka Project is an attempt to create a vast agricultural oasis out of desert and water diverted from the nile. Building started 10 years ago and was seen as Mubarak’s pyramid. Now it continues to slowly grow at a fraction of it’s original design.David Degner / The National
The pipe that brings water from Lake Nasr run through the El Salam Nubian Village and is shared between a fish farm, the Nubian Village, and the Future Village. The Nubians were originally relocated during the construction of the high dam, but are still fighting for the rights for their new land.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
A slow trickle of tourists comes through the Abu Simble Temples on the edge of the Abu Simble Village.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
A field of grains at KADCO, Kingdom Agricultural Development Company, invested in by Prince Walid Bin Talal.The Toshka Project is an attempt to create a vast agricultural oasis out of desert and water diverted from the nile. Building started 10 years ago and was seen as Mubarak’s pyramid. Now it continues to slowly grow at a fraction of it’s original design.David Degner / The National
Water security is a major issue in the future of Egypt. A security camera watches the high damn with Lake Nasr backed up behind it.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
Tourists visit the high damn with Lake Nasr on one side and a river on the other.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
Hosny Ahmed Said, 50, beside the pumping stations beside the Future Village of Abu Simbel. The water is insufficient and unpredictable so it has been rationed to certain fields leaving others to run dry.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
Fields of grand but up against the desert at KADCO, Kingdom Agricultural Development Company, invested in by Prince Walid Bin Talal.The Toshka Project is an attempt to create a vast agricultural oasis out of desert and water diverted from the nile. Building started 10 years ago and was seen as Mubarak’s pyramid. Now it continues to slowly grow at a fraction of it’s original design.David Degner / The National
The pumping station at KADCO, Kingdom Agricultural Development Company, pulls water out of the canal coming from Lake Nasr.The Toshka Project is an attempt to create a vast agricultural oasis out of desert and water diverted from the nile. Building started 10 years ago and was seen as Mubarak’s pyramid. Now it continues to slowly grow at a fraction of it’s original design.David Degner / The National
Young men who mainly came to Abo Simbel from other parts of Egypt for work play pool late into the night at a coffee shop in the middle of the town.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
A slow trickle of tourists comes through the Abu Simble Temples on the edge of the Abu Simble Village.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
Sheikh Zayed canal transports water from Lake Nasser through the valley.The Toshka Project is an attempt to create a vast agricultural oasis out of desert and water diverted from the nile. Building started 10 years ago and was seen as Mubarak’s pyramid. Now it continues to slowly grow at a fraction of it’s original design.David Degner / The National
Hosny Ahmed Said, 50, walks through a dried up orchard outside Future Village of Abu Simbel. The water is insufficient and unpredictable so it has been rationed to certain fields leaving others to run dry.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
The pumping station and watering control at KADCO, Kingdom Agricultural Development Company, pulls water out of the canal coming from Lake Nasr.The Toshka Project is an attempt to create a vast agricultural oasis out of desert and water diverted from the nile. Building started 10 years ago and was seen as Mubarak’s pyramid. Now it continues to slowly grow at a fraction of it’s original design.David Degner / The National
Two fields at the Future Village of Abu Simbel. The water is insufficient and unpredictable so it has been rationed to certain fields leaving others to run dry.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
Badr El Dein, a 26 year old engineer from Edfu, lays in his bed in the housing for those that work in the fields of the Southern Valley Company.The Toshka Project is an attempt to create a vast agricultural oasis out of desert and water diverted from the nile. Building started 10 years ago and was seen as Mubarak’s pyramid. Now it continues to slowly grow at a fraction of it’s original design.David Degner / The National
The Future Village of Abu Simbel was designed to house a large population but the current populations complains about the poor build quality of the housing and the unreliability of water and electricity.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
A truck of fishermen transport their boat through the desert for seasonal fishing south of the high damn.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
Abdo Al Assiuiti, sells fruits and vegetables in the center of Abu Simbal. Each night a young man comes around with incense.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National
Tourists from France take a boat out around the islands and temples beside Lake Nasr.Abu Simbel is a one of the southern most villages in Egypt. It is most famous for its remains from Ancient Egypt, but it also draws Egyptians from across the country to work and make their dreams in its farms and jobs.David Degner / The National

Libyan Revolution

Later in the day the main square of Bengazi, eastern Libya, refilled with protesters. One in the middle is carrying a poster with a martyrs photo.David Degner / Freelance
At a military storage depot outside of Ajdabia, Libya a civilian who is one of the few guards peeks through the gate.David Degner / Freelance
Fighting occurred in the oil producing town of Braiga between pro-Ghadafi forces and rebel fighters. Loyal planes bombed formations of rebel fighters in and around Braiga as reinforcements came from the nearby town of Ajdabiya. At least 14 wounded and 4 dead came to the Braiga hospitalDavid Degner / Freelance
A truck of foreign workers arrives at the docks in Benghazi where a ship is waiting to repatriate foreign refugees.Foreigners working in Libya often faced the most danger in being evacuated. Some were abandoned by their employers in factories and service industries, others were accused of being merceries working for Gadafi and were often beaten or killed on the spot.David Degner / Freelance
At Al Abrak Airport in Eastern Libya the remains of a battle are scattered in the terminal and around the tarmac as a few remaining civilians guard and poke around.David Degner / Freelance
In Baida, eastern Libya, anti-Ghadafi people took over the city hall and held a congress with members from surrounding cities. While a defecting minister and leaders spoke inside a lively anti-ghadafi protest was held outside.David Degner / Freelance
At a School in Benghazi, Libya civilian volunteers were signing up and drilling to join the opposition forces. The volunteers ranged from engineering students to gym trainers and at least one Egyptian that is living in Libya.David Degner / Freelance
The curious walk around the abandoned military fort that was also one of Ghadafi’s homes In Bengazi, eastern Libya. There were complexes of tunnels underground that were being dug out by volunteers.David Degner / Freelance
The curious walk around the abandoned military fort that was also one of Ghadafi’s homes In Bengazi, eastern Libya. There were complexes of tunnels underground that were being dug out by volunteers.David Degner / Freelance
Fighting occurred in the oil producing town of Braiga between pro-Ghadafi forces and rebel fighters. Loyal planes bombed formations of rebel fighters in and around Braiga as reinforcements came from the nearby town of Ajdabiya. At least 14 wounded and 4 dead came to the Braiga hospitalDavid Degner / Freelance
A minibus is stacked with the belongings of refugees as they flee from Lybia to Egypt.David Degner / Freelance
In the midst of fighting men still go to the market to buy their daily rations and discuss events with acquaintances.David Degner / Freelance
At a military storage depot outside of Ajdabia, Libya weapons have been laid out to guard against an attack.David Degner / Freelance
From on top of a semi-trailer roof men pray along Bengazi’s corniche in the city center followed by a protest. The prayer and protest filled the square and over-ran onto side streets. The majority of people left the protest early when rain and light hail poured down.David Degner / Freelance
Jamal Abeida is a consultant for companies, especially oil companies, wanting to work in Libya.Photographs by David Degner for the Wall Street JournalLIBYA
In Baida, eastern Libya, anti-Ghaddafi fighters lay in the hospital recuperating from their injuries. A doctor shows video of those that were killed.David Degner / Freelance
The wing of a loyalist plane that was shot down is propped up in the center of Ajdabya, Libya for people to look at.David Degner / Freelance
Men pray along Bengazi’s corniche in the city center followed by a protest. The prayer and protest filled the square and over-ran onto side streets. The majority of people left the protest early when rain and light hail poured down.David Degner / Freelance
Fighting occurred in the oil producing town of Braiga between pro-Ghadafi forces and rebel fighters. Loyal planes bombed formations of rebel fighters in and around Braiga as reinforcements came from the nearby town of Ajdabiya. At least 14 wounded and 4 dead came to the Braiga hospitalDavid Degner / Freelance
The curious walk around the abandoned military fort that was also one of Ghadafi’s homes In Bengazi, eastern Libya. There were complexes of tunnels underground that were being dug out by volunteers.David Degner / Freelance
In Baida, eastern Libya, anti-Ghadafi people took over the city hall and held a congress with members from surrounding cities. While a defecting minister and leaders spoke inside a lively anti-ghadafi protest was held outside.David Degner / Freelance
Fighting occurred in the oil producing town of Braiga between pro-Ghadafi forces and rebel fighters. Loyal planes bombed formations of rebel fighters in and around Braiga as reinforcements came from the nearby town of Ajdabiya. At least 14 wounded and 4 dead came to the Braiga hospitalDavid Degner / Freelance
One of the four dead in Braiga included Said Jamia who normally works as a truck driver to support his family and 2 year old daughter. He was reportedly killed by a bomb.Fighting occurred in the oil producing town of Braiga between pro-Ghadafi forces and rebel fighters. Loyal planes bombed formations of rebel fighters in and around Braiga as reinforcements came from the nearby town of Ajdabiya. At least 14 wounded and 4 dead came to the Braiga hospitalDavid Degner / Freelance
Men pray along Benghazi’s corniche in the city center followed by a protest. The prayer and protest filled the square and over-ran onto side streets. The majority of people left the protest early when rain and light hail poured down.David Degner / Freelance
A wounded fighter lays in his bed In Baida, East LibyaDavid Degner / Freelance
The curious walk around the abandoned military fort that was also one of Ghadafi’s homes In Bengazi, eastern Libya. There were complexes of tunnels underground that were being dug out by volunteers.David Degner / Freelance
At a military storage depot outside of Ajdabia, Libya weapons have been laid out to guard against an attack.David Degner / Freelance
One of the dead from a day of fighting in Braiga,Fighting occurred in the oil producing town of Braiga between pro-Ghadafi forces and rebel fighters. Loyal planes bombed formations of rebel fighters in and around Braiga as reinforcements came from the nearby town of Ajdabiya. At least 14 wounded and 4 dead came to the Braiga hospitalDavid Degner / Freelance
The curious walk around the abandoned military fort that was also one of Ghadafi’s homes In Bengazi, eastern Libya. There were complexes of tunnels underground that were being dug out by volunteers.David Degner / Freelance
The curious walk around the abandoned military fort that was also one of Ghadafi’s homes In Bengazi, eastern Libya. There were complexes of tunnels underground that were being dug out by volunteers.David Degner / Freelance
Fighters wait on the front line of Brega for any attacks coming down the road.Two days ago there were reports of clashes in the small town of Brega, Libya between Loyalist forces and rebel civilians. While the fighting was relatively limited reportedly 12 people died and bombing by a loyalist plane was involved.David Degner / Freelance
Fighters wait on the front line of Brega for any attacks coming down the road.Two days ago there were reports of clashes in the small town of Brega, Libya between Loyalist forces and rebel civilians. While the fighting was relatively limited reportedly 12 people died and bombing by a loyalist plane was involved.David Degner / Freelance
A bomb crater in the Brega College campus dropped by a loyalist pilot only hit an empty stretch of road.Two days ago there were reports of clashes in the small town of Brega, Libya between Loyalist forces and rebel civilians. While the fighting was relatively limited reportedly 12 people died and bombing by a loyalist plane was involved.David Degner / Freelance
A doctor waits in the hospital of Brega for the next ambulance to bring in wounded from the front.Two days ago there were reports of clashes in the small town of Brega, Libya between Loyalist forces and rebel civilians. While the fighting was relatively limited reportedly 12 people died and bombing by a loyalist plane was involved.David Degner / Freelance
The autopsy table where the killed are cleaned and prepared for burial.Two days ago there were reports of clashes in the small town of Brega, Libya between Loyalist forces and rebel civilians. While the fighting was relatively limited reportedly 12 people died and bombing by a loyalist plane was involved.David Degner / Freelance
Fighters take a break to pray before continuing to the front line in Brega.Two days ago there were reports of clashes in the small town of Brega, Libya between Loyalist forces and rebel civilians. While the fighting was relatively limited reportedly 12 people died and bombing by a loyalist plane was involved.David Degner / Freelance
Fighters wait on the front line of Brega for any attacks coming down the road.Two days ago there were reports of clashes in the small town of Brega, Libya between Loyalist forces and rebel civilians. While the fighting was relatively limited reportedly 12 people died and bombing by a loyalist plane was involved.David Degner / Freelance
Doctors and volunteers wheel in injured fighters and give them basic treatment before shipping them to Benghazi where there is a better equipped hospital.Two days ago there were reports of clashes in the small town of Brega, Libya between Loyalist forces and rebel civilians. While the fighting was relatively limited reportedly 12 people died and bombing by a loyalist plane was involved.David Degner / Freelance

On a second reporting trip to Libya I photographed away from the frontlines in Eastern Libya

A long ways from any fighting, children in the small sea village of Sosa swim in the quiet port. The village has a large hotel built beside an archeological site, but tourism has dried up with the outbreak of fighting.David Degner / Freelance
A bull roams freely in the woods near the Shehat Archeological Site Libya, the Green Mountains are a large fertile area in eastern Libya characterized by rolling hills and farms.David Degner / Freelance
The small town of Beida is one of the places the first places where fighting broke out in the streets. Today it’s main square is filled each night with soccer games, music, and plays commemorating the revolution.David Degner / Freelance
While just 15 years old, this man fought beside Omar Mukhtar against the Italian colonization of Libya.David Degner / Freelance
The wall of a community room in Derna’s main mosque commemorates locals that have been killed by Gaddafi’s forces throughout the city’s long history of rebellion. It includes the photos of political prisoners who died in a prison massacre, soldiers that were shot for refusing orders, rebels from a 1996 uprising, and the latest youth that died on the street in Derna, and at the front.David Degner / Freelance
A conference for women’s issues in the future constitution is one of the few places to hear dissenting voices about how women are treated by the government. There are many highly educated women in Libya, one group of professors sayed their masters level classes were 90% female. But it is hard for women to get jobs outside of the house or outside of the country.David Degner / Freelance
The Friday market in Shehat is divided into sections for livestock, fruits, vegetables, equipment and pigeons. Pigeons are a surprisingly popular hobby with the market, rivaling Cairo’s in size, even though the local area has only a small fraction of Cairo’s population. Many other hobbies such as soccer, music and movies were systematically suppressed by the government out of fear of any cult of personality that could rival Gaddafi. Soccer games were announced using just numbers, songs had to include references to Gaddafi, and artists that became too successful were given posts overseas.David Degner / Freelance
On the edge of Sosa children play a game of dodging large waves and swimming in the surf.David Degner / Freelance
Derna, a city famous for the large number of fighters that traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan now sends many of it’s young men to fight on the front in Libya. Many people describe the lack of freedom, opportunity, and government abuse as pushing the youth toward violent international jihads but now the trend has changed. Young men are either going to fight against Gaddafi or staying in the city in hopes of the future opportunity.David Degner / Freelance
A boy helps his grandfather water their orchard in the fertile valley surrounding Beida. While the war is the first issue many other issues have been delayed, such as the lowering of the natural aquifers that much of the Green Mountains agriculture relies on. This farmer says that 3 of his 4 wells have gone dry.David Degner / Freelance
At a house on the edge of Shehat neighbors the doors often stay open and neighbors constantly visit and help each other. Electricity is cut for a few hours every day, water deliveries have stopped giving credit, and hard currency has stopped circulating. The former government payed monthly sums to unemployed and underemployed.David Degner / Freelance
In a small photo studio in Tobruk, Libya a photographer wants to take my photo.David Degner / Freelance
The archaeological ruins of Shehat are impressive evidence of the Cyrenaica civilization that predated Islam in Northern Africa. With no tourists around, it has once again returned to the locals as a park for picnickers and school groups.David Degner / Freelance
Outside Beida a farmer works with his family to water their pear and peach orchard. Libya had a large population of immigrant workers from the middle east and eastern asia, but the revolution forced many of them to return home.David Degner / Freelance

Egypt’s Revolution

The Egyptian revolution started 9 months after I started working in Egypt. Here is a quick selection of photos from before Mubarak stepped down. I hope to comb through my archives and post more soon.

A protester is dragged away by plain clothed police-men to a waiting van. He was one of many people plucked out of the crowed and disappeared.Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
20110126 – Cairo, Egypt –Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
20110126 – Cairo, Egypt –Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
20110126 – Cairo, Egypt –Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt – Midan Ramsis was covered in a heavy police presence throughout the morning.After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110126 – Cairo, Egypt –Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110129 – Cairo, Egypt –As the sun set in Cairo groups of youth tried to advance on the Interior Ministry using cars as shields. While in Tahrir people, including many middle aged and professionals, such as engineers and lawyers settled in to wait through the night.David Degner / Freelance
20110125 – Cairo, Egypt –Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110126 – Cairo, Egypt –Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
After more than two weeks of riots and protests in Egypt protests broke out again on Friday including in Alexandria. The protesters gathered along the corniche and marched toward Ras El Teen, one of the Presidential Palaces.David Degner / Freelance
20110129 – Cairo, Egypt –As the sun set in Cairo groups of youth tried to advance on the Interior Ministry using cars as shields. While in Tahrir people, including many middle aged and professionals, such as engineers and lawyers settled in to wait through the night.David Degner / Freelance
20110129 – Cairo, Egypt –As the sun set in Cairo groups of youth tried to advance on the Interior Ministry using cars as shields. While in Tahrir people, including many middle aged and professionals, such as engineers and lawyers settled in to wait through the night.David Degner / Freelance
20110203 – Cairo, Egypt – slug:EgyptProtestAfter a night of rocks and bullets in Tahrir the anit-Mubarak protesters took the morning to regroup, treat their wounded, and re-fortify their barricades.The one barricade between pro and anti-Mubarak protesters near the Egyptian Museum was lightly separated by a few egyptian army troops.David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110129 – Cairo, Egypt –As the sun set in Cairo groups of youth tried to advance on the Interior Ministry using cars as shields. While in Tahrir people, including many middle aged and professionals, such as engineers and lawyers settled in to wait through the night.David Degner / Freelance
Security at a government building stares out from their gates at a growing protest walking through Boloq neighborhood.Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After the friday prayer in Cairo Egypt worshipers exited the mosques, including Al-Azhar and started protesting on the street. The protests lasted into the evening as the convrged on the central square of Midan Tahrir David Degner / Freelance
20110209 – Cairo, Egypt –In Cairo today smaller protests broke out in front of many companies as workers asked for more rights and better wages.David Degner / Freelance
On the edge of Boloq neighborhood near Tahrir protesters throw burning tires in the middle of the road to set up a blockade as they are being shot at by riot police in vans.Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance
20110129 – Cairo, Egypt –After yesterdays march from friday prayer into Tahrir the square was cleared, and refilled with army personnel. Throughout the day protesters continued to converge on the square, mingling with the military and talking about brotherhood. At one corner of the square people joined arms to protect the Egyptian Museum, and at the other a looted Hardees restaurant smoldered.David Degner / Freelance
20110131 – Cairo, Egypt –Near Rafa and the border with Israel the bedouins of Sinai are continuing their long term dispute with the central government with new fervor. They claim that almost all of the Interior Ministry police have left their posts and that security is now provided by Bedouins and an Army presence.One bedouin leader, Sheikh Mosa also claims that as Bedouins stockpile guns amidst the instability the prices have doubled from about $1000 to $2000. Also, he claims that in the last week the gun trade under the tunnel have reversed directions as demand in Sinai increased.David Degner / Freelance
20110128 – Cairo, Egypt –After yesterdays march from friday prayer into Tahrir the square was cleared, and refilled with army personnel. Throughout the day protesters continued to converge on the square, mingling with the military and talking about brotherhood. At one corner of the square people joined arms to protect the Egyptian Museum, and at the other a looted Hardees restaurant smoldered.David Degner / Freelance
20110203 – Cairo, Egypt – slug:EgyptProtestAfter a night of rocks and bullets in Tahrir the anit-Mubarak protesters took the morning to regroup, treat their wounded, and re-fortify their barricades.The one barricade between pro and anti-Mubarak protesters near the Egyptian Museum was lightly separated by a few egyptian army troops.David Degner / Freelance
Mubarak metro station is the central station in Cairo. Many pieces of infrastructure are named after Hosni Mubarak. Many of these places are waiting to be renamed and their signs have been vandelized.David Degner / Freelance
Protesters and photographers outside the Egyptian Press Syndicate photograph a protester in front of the journalism syndicate.The second day of protests in downtown Cairo started slowly with a relatively small protest at the Journalists Syndicate. In the late afternoon as that protest winded down a much less organized and more violent protest took place one block away. Police used teargas, guns and rocks to disperse the protesters who regrouped on Al Galaa, under 6th of October Bridge. The set fire to tires and placed a temporary roadblock as the police regrouped. When the police advanced, the protesters dispersed into the many allyways downtown and were reported to continue small skirmishes with riot police. David Degner / Freelance
After more than two weeks of riots and protests in Egypt protests broke out again on Friday including in Alexandria. The protesters gathered along the corniche and marched toward Ras El Teen, one of the Presidential Palaces.David Degner / Freelance
20110126 – Cairo, Egypt –Swirls of protests around Cairo came together in Midan Tahrir. Protests traded stones, teargas and water canons with riot police until a stalemate lead to many people sitting and waiting in the square. David Degner / Freelance

Parkour in Egypt

Parkour in Egypt

This essay was made in 2010 when a growing group of youth were organizing into parkour groups in the suburbs of Cairo.

To reach the practice location in Al-Marg most of the practitioners take at least two microbuses and the Metro to the end of their lines.

Parkour migrated to Egypt without any direct contact but through movies such as District 13 and homemade YouTube videos from around the world. According to the participants Egypt was the second middle eastern country to form a parkour group in 2008 and since then has grown to more than 50 members with practices 6 days of the week in 3 areas around Cairo, and even a satellite group in Alexandria.

In central Cairo they must negotiate permission with bowabs and dodge constant traffic so the main practice location is an abandoned government building in Al-Marg, an industrial city on the last metro stop. Parkour is a physical discipline like a martial art with the non-violent goal of being able to run and jump through complex environments quickly.