As a creative professional, I need a workstation that can handle complex tasks without compromising on performance or quality. That's why I built my own workstation from scratch, using carefully chosen components and some custom-made elements. In this blog post, I will share with you how I did it and what are the benefits of having a custom-built workstation.
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Join me on a journey through the world of photography. My blog covers a range of topics including camera gear reviews, behind-the-scenes of commissioned projects, workshop recaps, and general thoughts on a variety of photography subjects. Follow along as I share my passion for the art and craft of photography.
"IN FOCUS" VIDEO INTERVIEW FOR DUBAI CULTURE & ARTS AND GOOGLE ARTS & culture PROJECT
Back in November 2022, I was approached by Creative Story studio in Dubai to speak about my work, to share inspiring work stories and useful tips for those who are starting out in photography.
Read MoreXPOSURE INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL 2023 in Sharjah is here!
Photography exhibitions. Legendary, world-renowned photographers. Industry experts. Presentations. Film screenings. Workshops. Book signings. Focus groups. Competitions. Latest camera gear & Trade show. Xposure International Photography Festival in Sharjah, UAE is unlike any other and if you care about photography even a tiny bit, you can’t afford to miss it.
Read MoreRecap: Architectural Photography Workshop at the Etihad Museum in Dubai
IS SHOOTING ARCHITECTURE FUN?
With the right subject, the right gear and skills, shooting architecture can be rewarding!
On the 18th December in Dubai, 20 photography students gathered at the Etihad Museum in Dubai for an architecutral photography workshop led by an Dany Eid, my fellow Fujifilm X-Photographer and myself. The workshop was organized by Fujifilm Middle East who provided a range of GFX cameras and GF lenses for the students. For many, this was their first experience with the medium format cameras.
As they arrived, the students were greeted by the stunning architecture of the museum, which features a sleek and modern design with clean lines and expansive windows. The group spent the first part of the workshop exploring the iconic building, both inside and out, taking advantage of the diverse range of photo opportunities that this unconventionally designed museum offered.
Inside, the students were able to photograph the impressive entrance lobby featuring a double-height atrium with its slanted, towering columns, imposing interior elements and sweeping curves.
Outside, the students had the chance to photograph the museum's distinct looking roof inspired by a folded sheet of paper and its surroundings, including its landscaped gardens and the bustling cityscape of Dubai in the background. They were able to experiment with different angles, lighting, and compositions to capture the beauty of the museum in their own unique way. Dany and I guided them each step, answering their questions, helping them find the most interesting angles and assisted them with the equipment and camera settings.
After the photo shoot, the group retreated to the classroom in the basement of Etihad Museum for a lesson on basic image post-processing techniques. We covered topics such as adjusting exposure, color correction, perspective correction, retouching, and demonstrated how to use various software tools to achieve the desired results.
The students were eager to learn and put their newfound skills to the test, practicing on their own photographs from the workshop. They were able to see firsthand how post-processing could enhance the overall look and feel of their images, and learned how to use these techniques to better communicate their vision as photographers.
Overall, it was a productive and informative day for the photography students, who left the workshop with a deeper understanding of both the technical and creative aspects of photography. The Etihad Museum provided a beautiful and inspiring setting for the workshop, and the students were able to take advantage of all that it had to offer to create some truly striking photographs.
Here’s my selection of the most interesting shots of the Etihad Museum I took during the 3 hour workshop
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THE SHOOT AT BEY EVI BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN TURKEY
Alaçati, THE HIDDEN gem by the aegean sea
Many are praising this charming little city by the sea. I went there to see why.
BRIEF HISTORY of Alaçati
Alaçati, unlike most of the towns in the area, doesn't have a long history. If you come to the city to find the signs of the past Emperors and conquests, of the kings and palaces, you will be disappointed. The wonderful old structures that are frequently associated with the area are not present here. Instead, you have a community with a calm, muted heritage that matches the atmosphere it so willingly provides.
Early in the 19th century is when Alaçati first appeared. Earthquakes on the neighboring island of Chios have ruined the homes and way of life of the Greek families occupying the area. A well-known Turkish family was also hiring workers to work on their vineyards and olive farms at the same time. They approached the Greek families in the area, who drained the swamp to create a community.
Alaçati was the name given to the worker's town, a traditional Greek village with stone buildings and cobblestone streets. The town developed into a significant commerce hub as the nearby vineyards provided good wine, and it kept expanding until after the Balkan war in 1914.
According to the terms of the Treaty of Lausanne, which was signed in 1923, Muslims who had fled Crete, Thrace, Macedonia, and the Dodecanese moved in Alatsata city in the Greeks' abandoned homes. The majority of these homes are still standing in Alaçati as tourist attractions.
WHO LIVES THERE?
Turkish wealthy and celebrities are increasingly flocking to Alaçati as a substitute for the Bodrum scene. Over the years, Bodrum has been extensively explored; Alaçati is another small, upscale resort. Less than 10,000 people call Alaçati home permanently, but during the height of the summer, that number can increase by a factor of ten. 90% of the population is Turkish in general. Although there are not many foreigners here yet, they are gradually beginning to become aware of it. High society from both Izmir and Istanbul is represented.
THE ARCHITECTURE
Stone homes with colored windows and pavement line the tiny lanes of Alaçati. Houses from the Ottoman era may be found in the city center of Alaçati; the ones that belonged to Ottoman Greeks can be identified by having an additional covered balcony area, known in Turkish as a cumba. Usually, lilac or light blue hues are used to paint enclosed cumba balconies. In 2005, the town was designated as a historical site, and the structures are now well-protected. The recently constructed homes make reference to the earlier architectural designs of the Ottoman homes in Alaçati's agora.
Today, most of the stone house have been converted into boutique hotels. Since these houses are quite old, the renovation and conversion process in Alaçati is a perpetual, visible everywhere, across the city.
BEY EVI boutique hotel; MY SUBJECT
One of the best hotels in the city is the BEY EVI (translated Gentleman’s House). I was requested to take photos of one of the hotel's smaller guest rooms where the renovations had just been finished. The chamber was actually rather large, and its interior design reflected its exteriors with real antique furnishings purchased from the region. I aimed to capture the peaceful atmosphere in the coastal city and the rustic warmth of this cottage. The hotel, in my opinion, effortlessly incorporated native Alaçati characteristics into the textures and materials used throughout. I hope I was able to capture the essence of this charming tiny hotel and pride it brings to its enthusiastic owners.
I used a Fujifilm GFX50s medium format camera with Fujinon GF 32-64mm lens.
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