Picture perfect

Distinguished photographers meet local shutterbugs at Gulf Photo Plus Photo Week

Learn from some of the world’s most renowned photographers as they hold workshops at the GPP Photo Week this month. Amateur shutterbugs can sign up to attend presentations, seminars, photography trials and exhibitions from the likes of Ben Von Wong and Angelica Dass. Angelica is responsible for Humnae (top left), a powerful project that demonstrates how humanity is more than black and white. Meanwhile, fantastical photographer Ben has produced thought-provoking works of art (top right) often tackling environmental issues, including his latest one, 10,000 Plastic Bottles And A Mermaid. What’s On caught up with him ahead of his Dubai visit. 10,000 Plastic Bottles And A Mermaid

has become a viral sensation. What was the inspiration?

The ocean is something that most city dwellers like myself think of as a vast untouchable pristine oasis of life. Most of its problems are out of sight, out of mind, and I wanted to find a creative way to bring attention to the plague of plastic pollution threatening it.

How would you best describe your style?

Intriguing. I think that when people look at my work, it generally raises lots of questions. Humanae

Your create lots of video content to document the process. Do you feel that by revealing the amount of work that goes into a project, viewers actually appreciate it more?

Absolutely. If I generated 10,000 Plastic Bottles And A Mermaid in CGI, I doubt it would have had anywhere close to the same impact. I also want people to realise that these are ordinary people coming together to make a difference. 10,000 Plastic Bottles And A Mermaid What’s next for Ben Von Wong? I’m looking forward to sharing my skills at Gulf Photo Plus. We’re hoping to work with Goumbook to produce a viral series around the ghaf tree. Watch this space. LEARN FROM BEN February 13 to 16 Creating The Extraordinary Out Of The Ordinary February 11 Capturing The Epic – One Step At A Time