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 MoreBLOG
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.
Countdown to the New Year: Capturing Dubai's Magic in Time-Lapse
one camera, one balcony
New Year’s eve at THE WALK at JBR in Dubai in 90 seconds
for someone like me…
…nothing compares to the thrill of making a time-lapse video. It is genuinely magical and a trick that never fails to impress is the ability to condense hours or even days of action into a few brief seconds.
I got the chance to capture a time-lapse video on New Year's Eve from the balcony of a private flat at the Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. The location was ideal, offering a breathtaking view of "The Walk" at JBR, "Ain Dubai" — the largest ferris wheel in the world — on Bluewaters Island, Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal, and the always spectacular The Palm, with the two Atlantis hotels in the distance. At night, the whole scene looks like a giant, shiny treasure trove full of gold!
To capture a variety of focal lengths and viewpoints, I decided to take the Fujifilm GFX50s camera along with the GF 20-35, GF 32-64, and GF 45-100 lenses. The RRS's Multi-Clamp was used to secure the camera to the balcony's balustrade (amazing piece of gear btw). The RRS Modular L-Plate was attached to the camera, and it was mounted on top of the lightweight yet sturdy RRS BH-30 ballhead. I wanted a quick and simple procedure with little editing, so I decided to shoot in JPEG mode with the GFX’s built-in "Provia" film simulation. I simply wasn't in the mood to fiddle around with RAW files.
The actual shoot lasted for almost 2.5 hours, with the camera set to take a picture every 2 to 5 seconds. Because of this, I was able to record a variety of motion and activity as the evening progressed towards the midnight, and the masses of people below celebrated the beginning of the new year. Fireworks were great, but it was the drone show that I found particularly engaging.
I spent a day editing the finished time-lapse video after the shoot. As usual, I edited the film in Adobe Premiere. I changed the flow and speed of certain shots to produce the mood I was looking for.
Overall, the process of filming and producing this time-lapse video was enjoyable and painless. Provia film simulation produced warm, rich tones that enhanced the luxurious skyline of Dubai's golden cityscape. Seeing the finished product and knowing that I was able to record such a cool moment in time always gives me a rush. And that was my New Year's Eve time-lapse movie-making experience at the Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Hope you liked this blog, and the time-lapse film. To keep updated with my work and new blogs, please subscribe to my mailing list below. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year 2023!
Recap: 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
If you’re interested in attending one of my workshops, please subscribe to my mailing list to keep updated with my calendar of activities and don’t forget to say hi in the comment section!