The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

A renowned Japanese photographer who developed a special interest in the Nile and the countries around it, Kazuyoshi Nomachi has documented unique sights in Egypt during the late 20th century as a part of his photojournalistic journey through Africa, covering the Sahara and the Nile River. Let’s delve into this visually significant photography journey and check some of the most globally impactful photographs of Egypt during that time.

Where Nomachi Comes From

Apart from his Japanese roots, there’s more to Kazuyoshi Nomachi’s background that contributed to his talent and interest in photographing the region. Nomachi was born in 1946 in Kochi Prefecture and began his studies at a technical high school, where he developed an interest in photography as a teenager. Later on, his passions and talent were mentored by the photographer Takashi Kijima. 

He launched his career in 1971 as a freelance photographer and embarked on his first photojournalism journey in 1972, venturing into the Sahara Desert. He was quickly mesmerised by the vastness of this harsh landscape and the resilience of the people living in it.

When He Stumbled Upon the Magic of the Nile River

As part of his first exploratory photography journeys in the Sahara Desert, Nomachi found himself fascinated by the majesty of the African deserts, especially in areas like Sinai. He also found himself extremely captivated by the serene beauty of the Nile River, where he drew one of the most prominent themes of his career: the natural contradiction of the Nile River, which never dries up, running right through the dryness of the Sahara Desert.

He decided to trace the Nile River all the way from Ethiopia, passing by Sudan, all the way up to the Egyptian lands from Aswan to the Delta, capturing authentic moments of nature and the people inhabiting it, capitalising on the true magical essence of the mundane everyday life by the Nile in his photography work.

The Worldwide Impact

These photos had a profound impact that extended beyond kickstarting Nomachi’s career; they have gained worldwide admiration over the years due to their ability to convey deeper meanings and sentiments than the typical and average tourist photography of the region. This photography work has also won numerous global awards for its heartfelt vision and simple charm. 

A Timeless Visual Treasure of Egypt

For Egypt, many have photographed and visually captured its alluring landmarks and beautiful souls, yet Nomachi’s work remarkably stands out from the rest. At the time, he took the roads less travelled and shifted his focus to capturing the things that often go unnoticed. That’s why this collection represents an honest and transcendent documentation of Egypt in the late 20th century, preserving this specific era intact and immortalised. To see more of his magnificent work, check this website.