Reda Danaf was born Mohamed Reda Al-Danaf in Port Said, Egypt, on October 13, 1947. But heres the thing, he didnt start as an artist. He studied mechanical engineering, graduated in 1967, and worked in the electro-optical industry. That technical background gave him a deep understanding of cameras and lenses, which most photographers never get. He didnt pick up a camera to escape engineering. He picked it up because engineering taught him how things work, and he wanted to see what else he could make them do.
He’s been at it for decades now, and his work has taken him all over. Landscapes, wildlife, architecture, macro, action, he’s tried everything. But what he really loves is storytelling. He wants his photos to say something, not just show something. He’s drawn to the simple and the spectacular at the same time, which is a harder balance to hit than it sounds. He’s currently the president of the Egyptian Salon of Photography, which is a big deal in the Egyptian photography world.
He once said, “Photography has been his passion.” That simple line is the whole story, really. He won a gold medal at the International Japan Salon of Photography in 1993 and a bronze from UNESCO in 1994. His work has been shown in Egypt, India, Bulgaria, and all over. Not bad for an engineer who just wanted to see what he could capture.
Q: What kind of photos does Reda Danaf take?
A: He’s known for landscape and wildlife photography, but he also does architecture, macro, and action shots. He’s not a one-trick pony. He’s also drawn to storytelling photos, images that make you wonder what happened before and after the shutter clicked. He’s captured birds and animals inside and outside Egypt, and his style is often described as simple but stunning.
He’s been recognized by major organizations, including UNESCO and the International Photographic Salon of Japan. He’s also exhibited in group shows across Egypt, including at the Egyptian Opera House and the Russian Center for Culture and Science in Cairo. He has his own website called “Egyptian Images,” which is exactly what it sounds like. He’s been at this long enough to see photography change from film to digital, and he’s adapted without losing what makes his work his own.
Q: Is Reda Danaf still active?
A: As of recent years, yes. He’s still the president of the Egyptian Salon of Photography and continues to participate in exhibitions. His work is out there, and he’s still showing people what he sees. He’s not the loudest photographer, but he’s been doing it for a long time, and that counts for something.
