Riyadh Travel Forum

Is taking photos still banned or allowed coz I read in an article that the ministry of tourism is lifting the ban of taking photos..is that true? if yes, what are the do's and dont's?

Most of the photos that i took were taken "secretly" from a public bus or from inside a moving car. Even there was an announcement, it's better not to rely on it totally. As far i know, a photographer should secure permission from the Ministry of Information or an approving authority. This is what our company did before I photographed a certain district in Riyadh from atop that tallest building at Batha District.

If not sure, just take a photo surreptitiously but avoid photographing government installation, its personnel includes the military. Photographing women in public is a no-no unless they're closely related to you.

I think one other concern you should which wasn't mentioned by Ramsor, is the general public perception of phoography, there are cases when the sole presence of a camera may trigger worry and panic especially among famillies and ladies in crowded malls and restaurants, as a general rule avoid crowded areas, avoid taking pictures of families (yes! even if the ladies are fully robbed in black Abayas) and avoid government and military and high security facilities.

As mentioned by Ramsor and Mirrorcrax, it was already reported that taking photos in public premises are allowed but still most local citizens are not aware of that. Besides, it takes a while for them to get use to that part of technology.

%L[http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/fca3b/1b9425/1/]I believe I added this issue on my GENERAL TIPS on Riyadh%L* Check it out!

If taking photos, be cautious and be sure that conservative women and men are away from the scene.
To avoid simple confrontations of policemen or guards, do it when they are not present.
Do not take pictures of government facilities, it is prohibited. Obey the rules.

In short, it is exhausting to find a place to take a good shot.
Hope you take great shots! All the best.

i know this post started off a long time ago, but my wife started developing an interest in photography recently, and we try to go on short photo shooting trips, but i have to tell you i'm always anticipating some angry dude just popping out of the blue and blasting off at me, or some lady blasting off at my wife because she's walking around with a camera, i heard of instances where cameras were grabbed and smashed to the ground intentionally with no discussions whether by security guards or common people, there are areas where this would certainly happen if you pointed your camera such as bedouin shopping centres and areas where non-educated nationals are present, especially with families, you should understand that many of the uneducated common nationals may lend their ears to misleading rumors about "mysterious x-ray cameras which catch exposed photos of you no matter how much clothes you have on" and people are especially suspicous of foreginers as well. there was an instance when some of our work colleagues were travelling to bahrain with some business guests, and the guests wanted to take pictures of the sea and view and such, so my colleague slowed down so they would take the pictures, and a passing national slowed down behind them looked suspiciously at them and a few hours later the police were there, and all the guys were in prison!..pretty severe huh? ...so i would really be very cautious when using the camera.... nature is you best subject down here...or maybe the streets at dawn, and even so ...the police may find it suspicious that a foreigner would want to be present in such a solitary place in strange hours just to take pictures, so there's no rule ... only risks...consequences and small gratifications

I'm thankful for the question and answers since I wasn't aware of this and no wonder when I went to Bahrain last week and took pictures inside the mall (their malls are huge and aesthetically designed than in North America) just as I and my husband left the building the guard approached us and wanted to confiscate our camera..I assumed by his gesture but maybe because he didn't speak English and we're not understanding each other well he decided to let us go. Now I'm in Riyadh and was planning to take pictures tonight at the mall especially that they have uniquely beautiful and jaw-dropping gown designs. I couldn't describe it in words and I want to take a picture of myself with the gowns as background to show to my friends how amazing the designs are. Hollywood stars should order gowns in Riyadh and for sure they'll be in the Best Dress list all the time. Anyways, thank you for the heads up. It's always best to do a research of the country you're traveling to for the first time. As they say "ignorance of the law excuses no one".