With the advent of social media and the prominence of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat the whole world (and quite often their dog) has become an amateur photographer. But if your posts are far from picture-perfect, we’d thoroughly encourage you to sign up for a photography class in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Even the most calm and considered of us suffer from shaky hands now and again, and not everyone has the eye for detail of a David Bailey or a Dorethea Lange. So if you’re tired of Facebook fails, Instagram shambles and Snapchat mishaps, we’ve focused on some of the premier photography classes here in Abu Dhabi…
Gulf Photo Plus
You can get private or group classes at this established photo centre. There are a range of workshops that will teach you about shooting in full manual mode, high dynamic range, panning, light painting and metering, flash, histograms, advanced composition techniques and more. Levels range from beginners to advanced and you can have sessions for smartphones too. There are also photo walks to check out, too, if you want to explore the city while sharpening up your skills.
Alserkal Avenue gulfphotoplus.com/workshops.
Learn from Jay A
Jay Alonzo (or Jay A, as he likes to be known) is a veteran commercial photographer with more than 25 years in the business. Based in Abu Dhabi (at his Key Lite Studio), Jay was inspired to start snapping by the movie Jaws – more specifically the scene where the diver finds an underwater camera and processes the film in a darkroom to reveal an image of an attacking shark. The self-confessed ‘old-school’ photographer has been passing on his knowledge for years and has taught more than 5,000 students from 25 countries – and counting. He offers two main courses, both of which are entirely one-to-one. The Perfect Click is a ‘step-by-step course to master your camera to capture technically perfect creative images you can be proud of’. The Perfect Frame teaches you how to visualise and compose photographs that will inspire your audience, whoever they may be. The biggest plus about these courses is the fact you can learn at your own pace, truly relaxed as you take on board the instructions.
Dhs695. learnfromjaya.com (02 628 0546).
Manarat Al Saadiyat
This quite fantastic community arts centre on Saadiyat Island offers a diverse programme of exhibitions from both UAE and international artists, along with special events, art fairs, panel discussion, film nights and all manner of workshops. It also has its own dedicated Photography Studio that encourages snappers from all walks of life to take up the visual arts form, hosts community driven exhibitions and offers a full calendar of activities and programmes. To help develop the talent that passes through its doors, the photography studio offers specialised workshops and courses run by professionals and has a large workshop space, a make-up and dressing room, a digital lab and a studio available for rent. The aforementioned Jay Alonzo is just one of the many pros offering their top tips.
Prices vary. Open daily 10am-8pm. Saadiyat Island, manaratalsaadiyat.ae (02 657 5800).
Moutasem Academy
Looking to brush up your skills? This academy has special photography classes to check out. There are courses from everything from beginner photography to food styling, portrait photography, fashion, products, jewellery, wedding, night, car, landscape and cityscape photography and more. There are also filmmaking sessions, should you wish to branch out further. Courses start at around four hours at Dhs1,500 for a beginner slot.
From Dhs1,500. Business Bay. moutasemacademy.com
The Photography Institute
This incredible institute provides budding Baileys the chance to learn all the tools of the trade through The Professional Photography Course. This online programme is one of the most comprehensive on the market and aims to ‘provide you with the knowledge and skills required for a career as a professional photographer or as a keen hobbyist’. The course was written by New Yorker George Seper, one of the world’s finest freelance photographers whose work has graced some of the premier glossy magazines. It consists of 12 modules and 12 assignments, with the average time students take to complete it being 24 weeks. If you need a little longer, the institute will let you have a whole year to finish the course – perfect for those of you who are pressed for time (we know the feeling). Each module is approximately 60 pages in length and is full of detailed technical information delivered in a friendly, conversational manner that is easy to understand. The concepts are further explained by way of diagrams, images and examples. What we also love about this course is the fact it has its own Facebook group where students can compare notes and generally give each other a lift – no one likes a show-off, after all.
From Dhs2,749. thephotographyinstitute.ae.
Waleed Shah
One of the brightest talents in the UAE, Waleed Shah is making waves with his thought-provoking works that aim to break down society’s stereotypes. His acclaimed book Rock Your Ugly has been praised for sticking it to toxic beauty standards that sadly exist in modern society. While he’s not capturing the essence of everyday people, he is helping them become better photographers through his range of workshops that he conducts both in person and online. The scope of the classes is pretty wide, with many of them run on Yas Island, covering anything from automotive photography to how to get the best studio lighting. Waleed’s Photography 101 workshop is a brilliant introduction to the art, two hours’ worth of informative and engaging instruction from a passionate photographer. Waleed also offers workshops on the ‘business of photography’ and how to communicate with models (it can be tricky, we hear). And he even runs a ‘Portfolio Building Day’ to show you how to make an impact with the fruits of your labour. Good work, Waleed.
From Dhs325. waleedshah.ae/workshops.
