Framing a nation
A JOURNEY OF THE LENS — ACROSS THE UAE’S TIMELESS ‘SANDSCAPES’ TO ITS PRESENT-DAY GLAMOUR — AND A LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE COUNTRY
With approximately 80 per cent of the UAE population owning a smartphone, one could argue that the country also has one of the highest percentages of people who have personal cameras. While the mere ownership of a camera doesn’t make one a photo artist, modern technology bestows individuals with the ability to create and publish photographic output with just a few clicks. And residents in the UAE have certainly not wasted the opportunity to freezeframe moments in a fast-paced and transient setting. Here’s charting the course of photography in the UAE — from way back when to where it’s headed.
Capturing the Emirati past
Grainy B&W or sepia snapshots of coastlines, dhow boats and wind towers by the creek, dusty forts rising from brush, rugged landscapes, and local Bedouin families — these are a few recurring themes amongst the earliest photographs of the UAE in the 1950s. A decade on, there are marked depictions of development after the discovery of oil; a switch is evident in industries and infrastructure — pearl diving and fishing are replaced by images of vehicles and airports. Many photographs show the construction of (the now iconic) landmarks like Port Rashid, the Clock Tower, and Jumeirah Mosque against stark settings. And then, there are the historic photographs of the nation’s leaders from Union Day on December 2, 1971. By the late ’70s and early ’80s, there’s more vibrancy in the scenes — and coloured pictures add to this sense of energy and life.
Early photographs from around the country harken back to a way of life that we hardly recognise or only get rare glimpses of today. While they serve as documentary evidence of the UAE’s history, they are often also a foreign lens on the country’s cultural heritage, formation and growth. But, amidst the changing narratives and scenes captured, photography in the UAE has been steadfast in portraying certain core values — unity, progress, faith and empowerment.
Shooting forward
As a burgeoning travel destination, there is no dearth of images from around the UAE, especially of tourist spots like the Burj Khalifa, the Old Souks and Al Bitnah Fort. And, like most places in the world, the advent of social media has created its own visual culture and image trends using hashtags — truly democratising photography as an activity that anyone can engage in.
In the last couple of years, the UAE has especially grown famous for its Instagram influencers, who drive consumer behaviour with their posts. This has also given rise to a crop of young photographers, whose virtual popularity has created career opportunities and inspired many to take up the skill. Among the biggest sources of inspiration is Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who is an avid photographer and the patron of Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA).
The country now offers a variety of options for photography enthusiasts to hone their talent — from paid courses at institutions like the Nikon School to informal clubs like the Abu Dhabi Photographers, which has over 1,800 members. Gulf Photo Plus’ GPP Photo Week runs the largest photography event in the region, and the Abu Dhabi-based division of National Geographic is now in its eighth edition of ‘Moments’ — its regional photo competition.
As the UAE prepares for Expo2020, the country aims to become a global hub for the creative arts. There is a move to encourage artistic abilities among the nation’s youth and develop a diversity of art spaces, events, and communities — photography is high on this agenda. And with collections like renowned photographer Steve McCurry’s ‘7 Princesses’ — a striking series that celebrates modern Emirati women — it looks like the world is keen to turn its lens on the UAE as well.
The ability to see is the greatest gift I have, and photography allows me to share what — and how — I see with the world. When I started, all my refining came through my mistakes. I would connect with other photographers and shadow them over shoots. While most creatives try to learn how to replicate what others have done, I love to understand why they did what they did and the thought process behind it. One of my notable achievements was having one of my pictures showcased at the Musée du Louvre, Paris. — Joseph Alexander, cross-media storyteller, RSN8 Productions
My tryst with photography started when I joined a group of photographers for a trip to Agra and Pushkar in India. At that time, I had no professional camera nor any knowledge of its basic operation. I used to look for inspirations for my paintings, and one day, a thought came to my mind — what if I click my own shots to get ideas? That’s how I started looking for photography groups in Dubai, and finally joined one called Photowalk Dubai. With plenty of architectural beauties and cultural diversity, it is difficult not to feel blown away as a photographer in Dubai. One particular magical phenomena in this region is the dense fog — it’s a rare occurrence, which completely transforms the look of the city and elevates a photo capture into the realm of fiction. — Sonu Sultania, Artist and Photographer
My father would click phenomenal photos of animals and landscapes on all our trips around Botswana. His love for photography rubbed off on me from early on — as well as his talent for the craft. I studied basic film photography after high school; however, I have learnt the most from trial and error as well as being a part of professional shoots for work. For a hobbyist photographer, Dubai is a great city to hone skills — the city changes so much from day to night; a composition that works one way during the day has to be completely re-thought at night. There is also such a large array of people and customs here — Dubai really is a street photographer’s dream.
— Candice Eyden, account manager, Rain Communications