NZPhotographer Issue 43, May 2021

Yes! I’m on the road again and as I write this I'm in the UAEs’ glittering city of Dubai! With the
pandemic winding right down here (over 50% of the population are fully vaccinated plus
priority vaccinations in the hospitality and the tourism sector), I was antsy to get back out on
the road exploring destinations willing to have me while I do my best to follow all protocols.
From a photography standpoint, Dubai can be
divided into four quarters to be explored:
1. Downtown - all high rise and glamour.
2. The Creek Area - the old city and its soul.
3. The Beach Promenade - clear blue water and
compositions that just ooze sunset.
4. The Desert - wildlife, dunes and eco-experiences.
DOWNTOWN
Blue hour from the Shangrila’s 42nd floor terrace
Canon 6D Mk1 + Canon 16-35mm @ F/7.1, 2.5 sec, ISO100, 20mm
Most large cities, and Dubai is no exception, look better
at night. Be dazzled by the bright city lights of which
Dubai isn’t lacking and put up your tripod for images that
are sure to wow. Some of the best vantage points are
from hotel decks and balcony rooms, so choosing where
to stay is your first priority. It’s hard to beat the Shangrila’s
42nd floor terrace where you’ll get the best unobstructed
views of the city’s road networks coupled with the Burj
Khalifa, this is a fabulous spot for sunrise or sunset’s blue
hour. Book a room and go to reception 30 minutes before
sunrise and ask for access to the terrace – the staff are
quite obliging. Nearby, also on Sheikh Zayed Road, is the
Sky Lounge on Level 43 at the Four Points Sheraton. The
lounge is open to the public, just remember that smart
casual dress is required. This location will provide you with
an awesome long exposure light trail shot looking straight
down Dubai’s flashiest street. Another super spot not far
away is the Look Up Rooftop Bar at La Ville Hotel and
Suites. Buy a drink after 6pm and settle into sunset looking
at the city skyline with the Burj Khalifa centre stage. Again,
smart casual is required here. Take your tripod to all three
locations for the best city lights shots. A wide angle lens
will help you take in the expanse of the city, but from the
Look Up Rooftop Bar a midrange telephoto will work well
too. Other hotels with viewing decks and great room
balconies worth considering when booking are Rixos
at Jumeriah, Four Seasons downtown, Damac Maison
Distinction, and the Address Sky View hotel.
DUBAI CREEK
This is the traditional quarter where the Arabian
architecture will have you drifting back to a time long
ago. You’ll see old dhow sailing vessels as you weave
through narrow alleyways filled with crevices and
corners begging for you to photograph them. Everyone
is familiar with Dubai’s high rises, but less so with its
wind towers and courtyard houses. Visit the Al Fahidi
Historical Area and Al Seef along the creek’s banks
for the best spots to photograph this architecture.
There’s no entry fee and the picture spots are endless.
As is usually the case, a lens with zoom function is
best for street photography. I use my 24-105mm on
most occasions. Shoot on shutter priority with a shutter
speed of around 1/200th to ensure your pictures are
sharp and choose an iso of 200, this will give you a little
more leeway in darker sections of souks. The traditional
buildings in this area were made from coral stone and
mortar and make for interesting detail shots of the fort’s
walls, towers and inner sanctums. Stumble across the
Arabian Teahouse, or search it out on Google maps -
It’s a great place to take a break and it itself is worthy
of some photography with beautiful white trellises
covered in colourful bougainvilleas.
Along the creek you’ll also find numerous souks, the
spice souk is my favourite, and at the end of the
souk there’s a lovely corniche. Take an abra to cross
the creek and transcend time, it’s a boat ride that’s
one of the best value experiences you’ll have in the
world’s third richest country. The people photography
in the souk area is among the best you’ll get but
NZPhotographer
May 2021
39