NZPhotographer Issue 43, May 2021

THE DESERT
Well-known for its mega-projects, Dubai is also carving a
path in sustainable and eco-friendly tourism having given
over 5% of the emirate to the Dubai Desert Conservation
Reserve and one safari company, Platinum Heritage, has
ditched dune bashing and nature degradation in favour
of conservation. Jump aboard their 1950’s open top
Landrovers and photograph fauna, such as, oryx, camels,
and gazelles, and hardy flora like the Ghaf tree. As is true
of all wildlife photography, a long lens is preferable, at
least 100mm to 300mm.
Platinum Heritage is the top respected outfit running
eco-based and culturally-sensitive safaris, their outings
also providing a chance to photograph the local
Bedouin people and some of their traditions, like
coffee, tea, and bread-making, and notably the drum
dance Al Ayyala. The dance is so culturally significant
that UNESCO added it to their list of Intangible Cultural
Heritage Items of Humanity! A lens with a wide
aperture is required as the dances and demonstrations
are done after dark. Bring a flash if you have one,
dial it down to not push back the ambient light too
much and you’ll capture the action favourably. If
landscapes are more your thing, wander off at sunset
for that classic sand dune ripple shot. Use a wide angle
lens and get down low to the dune to pronounce the
ripples, try to find a dune with curvature and follow the
crest of the dune through your frame, this will add that
leading line element to your shot.
TOP INSIDER TIP
Hook up a car from your hotel for a quick jaunt to
Half Desert Road. If you have a drone with you, all the
better. Fabulous shots of desert sands taking back what
is theirs, leaving new road networks in their wake await.
You could also ask a taxi to take you, with 30 minutes
wait time for photos, expect to pay around 200 dirhams
(NZD70) for the outing.
CONCLUSION
Dubai is a large city that can feel overwhelming
especially on your first visit. It’s hot and often dusty. Be
sure to use the metro as this will help you get to most
places conveniently. Taxis cost a pretty penny, so it
pays to do your homework before you head out.
Golden hour through to blue hour are the best times to
shoot your chosen frames. And if you can drag yourself
out of bed for sunrise you won’t be disappointed,
beautiful soft tones and a glorious low light will greet
you as you see in another day. Conversely, the midday
sun is usually too harsh and much too hot to be out
and about in. Get yourself on ‘Dubai schedule’ waking
late, going to bed late, and you’ll get the best from this
magical place on the Arabian peninsula.
The destinations for the next installments of “From The
Road” will be determined by a country’s ability to
accept travellers. As readers, you could be in for some
unique and incredibly interesting locations!
Follow my travels and updates on instagram
@phomadic
Crossing the Dubai Desert Conservation Area
Canon EOSM50 MK1, Canon 24-105mm @ F8, 1/320s, ISO100, 24mm
Drone aerial above Half Desert Road
F2.8, 1/4000s, ISO104, 4.5mm
Sunrise from the Shangrila’s 42nd floor terrace
Canon 6D MK1, Canon 16-35mm @ F6.3, 1/200s, ISO100, 16mm