Dubai – how many beautiful things have we heard about its majesty and wonderful shine, about unreal buildings, highest heights, breaking world records and technological innovations?
I will take you through some locations that I have photographed in the period from 2013 to 2015 .
While I lived in the United Arab Emirates I had experienced both – the blink and shine, marble floors anywhere you go and wonderful attractions. But as a person who was not there as a tourist, I had the opportunity to notice the reality of all those who were not so lucky to live the way I lived in that period, in an organized accommodation by the employer with many benefits. I had the opportunity to directly see and experience the other side behind of the shiny medal.
In my free time, I explored the city upside down, and the many ‘behind the scenes’ situations would give me goosebumps. Anyone who has lived and worked in that area knows how hard most people from foreign countries work every day under extremely difficult conditions, especially those coming from a lower financial and social environment
As part of the photography program I enrolled in during the period when I lived in Dubai, I had the opportunity to catch interesting details in the desert, photograph the most famous hotel Burj Al Arab Burj Al Arab at night, travel to Abu Dhabi and visit the famous mosque – Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque and make friends with the employees of the local market – Fish Market Dubai.
Desert Al Ain, Dubai, UAE
“On your journey to your dream, be ready to face oases and deserts. In both cases, don’t stop.”
Paulo Coehlo
According to my experience, I think that the period of Ramadan in the area of Dubai is a completely normal period of the year. At least it was for me. What was different is the fact that food and beverage establishments temporarily closed and did not serve food during the day, but there was an option to order for take-away.
As during the rest of the period, time was set aside for prayer, and what particularly struck me was that during that period, local residents even more actively set aside their salary and household budget for those who need financial help the most. Because of this, the community seems close and it is rare that you are left to yourself as if you are lost in the desert.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Fish Market Dubai
A melting pot of different cultures, smells and tastes – countless number of the freshest options. All of this could have been found at the local market, where I often wondered if I was living in the center of the world. There is no such fruit that cannot be brought to you in these areas. It seems as if it is grown and grown locally, but the secret is in extremely well-established logistics with which the Emirates are supplied daily enjoying perfectly fresh and delicious food.
Fish market Dubai served me to practice communication and build trust, especially for that first contact with unknown people I planned to photograph. Developing and learning to connect with people for a photographer is one of the most important ingredients for successful photography, and the market employees were the perfect models – relaxed and curious, a little proud to see I wanted to photograph them, but also full of emotion and personality that literally oozed out of their eyes.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
One of my favorite activities was to drive to a nearby beach and watch the sunset falling behind the back of Burj Al Arab. The warmth and colors of the sunset on the yellow-orange sandy beaches literally used to ‘recharged me’.
While researching the settings on the camera, I added a touch of creativity – from extended shutter speeds and playing with people’s shadows to achieving a completely black sky behind a lit hotel. It was one of the fun and creative challenges during my studies, and seeing that photo today reminds me of how fulfilled I was that day. Happy being surrounded with good company, watching the sunset with newly acquired skills.
