NZPhotographer Issue 43, May 2021

Nooks and crannies inside old Al Seef village
Canon EOS M50 MK1, Canon 24-105mm @ F7.1, 1/200s, ISO100, 35mm
The architecture of Al Fahidi historical area
Canon 6D MK1, Canon 16-35mm @ F7.1, 1/400s, ISO100, 32mm
remember, photographing people in the Middle East
is more restrictive than many other places. Women for
one generally won’t want you to photograph them,
and no matter the gender, it’s always best to ask first.
Try to start a conversation if the opportunity presents,
and before your new friend leaves, ask for a picture. It
works a charm - people are usually quite willing.
Further South along the creek you’ll come to the
dhow wharf - visit at golden hour and stay on for
sunset if time permits. Numerous boats are coming
and going, and many are moored, making for great
compositions. Across the creek, you’ll have a superb
view of the Burj Khalifa and a section of the skyline.
A minimum of a 100mm lens is required to shoot the
skyline from this vantage point, and up to 200mm will
have you framing it more tightly.
THE BEACH
The turquoise blue waters of the Arabian Sea are
without doubt simply stunning. Catch the metro on a
day pass for best value out to Jumeriah Beach. There’s
a large boardwalk running parallel to the beach with
numerous cafes and restaurants dotting the foreshore.
Walk to the end of the beach to The Address Beach
Resort and from here you can cross the pedestrian
bridge to Bluewater’s Island. Incredible photographic
opportunities present and it looks its best from golden
hour through to sunset. Take in sunset from the Address
Beach Resort’s Lounge Cafe, well worth the NZD100
you’ll pay for two drinks and snacks. Get up from your
table and walk just ten paces for a composition across
the Arabian Sea and of the reflective pool sculptures
so elegantly positioned on the deck. Be aware that
DSLRs are frowned upon at this establishment so keep
your camera concealed until ’the moment’ arises or
bring your best camera phone skills along. Back down
at sea level, try a long exposure of the gentle waves
and capture the warm light on the waves’ crests. Here
your wide-angle lens and a graduated filter will help
you capture the sky perfectly. Frame your image to
include the new Dubai Eye, or Ain Dubai in Arabic, to
give your image depth and a distant subject.
40 May 2021 NZPhotographer