Six photographers who are set to hold workshops in Dubai at one of the region's top photography events, Gulf Photo Plus, share their take on the art:
David Nightingale
What lessons have you learnt from photography?
Take the time to look at the world. It's a fascinating place and easy to take for granted.
Do you have any tips for amateurs?
For landscapes, shoot during the golden hour - one hour after dawn, and one hour before sunset. At these times, the light is warm, not too harsh, and because the sun is low in the sky, it will add texture and detail to your shots. Think about the shot - the composition, light, your point of view, the aperture you'll use, the shutter speed, the right exposure... Then shoot.
What do you find fascinating about Dubai?
The architecture of the city - there are some truly stunning and innovative buildings.
Claire Rosen
What are your views on the theme of fantasy and on lighting?
My goal by referencing other time periods and playing with themes of fantasy is to transport viewers outside their daily lives. Being influenced by painting and illustration has affected my lighting style significantly. I blend studio strobe equipment with natural light to make images more surreal... dreamlike.
What are your impressions of Dubai?
It's one of my favourite cities. I love the feeling one gets here that anything is possible. As a photographer, I appreciate the emphasis on aesthetics and attention to detail.
David Burnett
What is it like to photograph presidents?
Largely it's a struggle to try and find some telling moment, or perhaps even a ‘private' moment in the middle of a very public world. You learn that when you have two or three minutes to photograph a president, you go in prepared to make the most of it, and if you are lucky, make it look like you spent many hours.
Do you have advice for people attending the Gulf Photo Plus exhibition?
Find one thing you can improve while you are here. The real fallout from workshops happens weeks later, when you're working on a picture and all of a sudden, you're inspired or know that you are seeing something differently.
One photo of Dubai that you will be doing?
I'd love to see what this modern city really looks like from above.
Louis Pang
Your pictures add a touch of the sublime to an event. How do you achieve that?
My job as a wedding and portrait photographer is to make ordinary people look great. Being a former journalist, I always think of how I can tell a story in a single frame. I've been drilled to cut excess and clutter. It focuses my composition. I never see myself as a fashion, couture or costume photographer. Emotions and romance are more important than anything else.
Do you have any tips for newcomers?
Be hungry. Grab every opportunity you can get.
Zack Arias
Describe your art.
The subject is always the priority in my photography. Content always beats technique.
Any tips on minimalist photography?
If you can't pay cash for your gear don't buy it. Having fewer options in equipment make you work harder for your pictures, and simple equipment can make timeless photographs.
Martin Prihoda
On photographing Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan...
Hrithik was a great guy to work with, really professional and knew what he wanted. I was shooting for the cover of a magazine and had just moved from Canada to India. I didn't know much about him so I Googled him to find out more. That shoot remains one of my favourites.
Virat Kohli is like the playboy of Indian cricket. I remember asking him to tilt his cricket bat at one point, to catch the light, except I called it a ‘paddle'. He promptly corrected me and everyone around had a good laugh. He's got a real star quality.
On photographing the Dubai skyline...
Dubai's ambient light is very intense so it takes a lot of power to shift it down. But the images are striking; deep blue skies and silhouetted buildings make for an epic background. Match that with a good subject/model and you have the potential for an incredibly striking image.
