Grab your camera and hop in the car… take a photo day trip!
Whether you’re still on holiday and are looking for an adventure or you’re resolving to pick up a new hobby this year, the country is filled with picturesque scenery that could transform even the least artistic among us into a photographer.
Liwa
Just a two and a half hour ride from Abu Dhabi city, Liwa is a photographer’s dream. Tucked in the heart of the desert, this crescent-shaped oasis stretches for 100km. Visitors can photograph stunning sand dunes by day, and in the evening, the clear skies make it the perfect spot to capture the night sky. Being the original birth place of the royal families of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the area is rich in UAE history. Getting to Liwa is easy, simply hop on E11 then take E45 all the way out till you’re there.
Al Sila
Al Sila offers photographers an authentic Emirati adventure. The region is three hours from Abu Dhabi city by car and is known for its fresh water wells, which have sustained the area for thousands of years. If you explore the desert, you can find natural crystals in the sand. Getting there is straightforward. Just take E11 west; Al Sila is right on the border of Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. Take your passport just in case.
Al Wathba
Al Wathba is less than an hour away from Abu Dhabi proper. To get there take 30th street to E30. You’ll be photographing in no time. This is one of the better areas to take some authentic camel portraits. There is a camel racetrack here and you can capture images of the camels themselves, caravans and groups of riders in the desert.
Around the city
If you don’t have a car or prefer to photograph urban subject matter, there are plenty of places around Abu Dhabi city that are ripe for photography. Public spaces around the city such as Al Bateen Park and the Corniche also offer opportunities to capture the features that make city life in Abu Dhabi unique.
If you’re feeling inspired but you don’t want to go it alone, tag along with UAE Adventure Photographers on www.meetup.com. We spoke with the group’s organiser, Amanda Smyton.
How do you choose where you are going to take photographs?
I usually take photographs in places that the group hears about through word of mouth. We also have meetings to discuss different places that we would like to visit.
What subjects do you think photograph well?
Within the photography group and on our trips we have the opportunity to focus on our own interests. Some members prefer landscape photography, others portrait photography, and so on. That’s the beauty of it; we share ideas, opinions and tips that have worked for each other in different instances.
Can you give us some technical tips on lighting and framing?
We always have our tripods and often experiment with different lighting equipment and lens filters. I think photography is about experimenting and if the image doesn’t work, try it another way. One tip that works for me is to make sure that the focus of your picture isn’t directly in the centre.
Where do you share your photos?
Members can share their photographs online through our meet up group, UAE Adventure Photographers. Also quite a few members entered the Emirates Photography Competition this year, which was a fantastic opportunity. However, the main aim of UAE Adventure Photographers is to build up your love and interest of photography and share tips and ideas, as well as to explore and photograph the wonderful country that we live in.
Prepare for your trip
If you decide to take a photography day trip, remember to take everything you’ll need. Here’s a checklist:
• Camera
• Tripod
• Extra camera batteries
• Extra memory cards
• Different lenses, depending on your desired pictures
• A camera bag to hold everything while you’re walking around
Always remember to respect the environment in which you are photographing. Pay attention to places that do not allow photography or private dwellings, and ask before taking pictures of people.
