Find out how these fantastic shutterbugs are using their keen photographic eye to become online sensations
Published: Fri 16 Feb 2018, 3:42 PM
From deserts and beaches to skyscrapers and gardens, there's no dearth of gorgeous views in the UAE. And today, thanks to the wonders of social media, we no longer have to visit every nook and cranny ourselves to appreciate its beauty. There's a bevy of photographs on social media, Instagram in particular, and every picture looks more gorgeous than the last. And while everyone will eventually click a couple of good pictures of the city, there are some who have amassed a star following for constantly posting good content and making sure each and every picture is in line with their theme. These
Instagram photographers tell us what it takes to be online hits - and why anyone can do it, with the right amount of practice.
'It's about quality over quantity'
Name: Husain Ujjainwala
Handle: @who.sane
Followers: 10.7K
Husain Ujjainwala may be relatively new to the UAE's Instagram photography scene, having shifted to the country from Mumbai three years ago, but no one would guess that from his feed. The 24-year-old's pictures feature dramatic skylines from unusual angles, and are downright captivating. It's almost impossible to believe he's had no professional training, and only got serious about photography about five years ago. "Before that, I used to be a mobile photographer only," says the finance executive.
He may use a DSLR today, but Husain remains an ardent fan of phone cameras to capture the city's skylines - and is adamant that the gear does not really matter. "We live in an age where phone cameras are as good as entry level DSLRs," he explains. "In fact, mobile photography allows you to get close to your subjects without intimidating them. I shoot both with my phone and my DSLR but my favourite photos are taken from my phone. It's all about being creative."
While owning a better camera today might not help all that much, editing makes a difference, believes Husain. In fact, since everyone is shooting the same famous landmarks, editing may just be the most important part of photography today. "It is what sets you apart," explains Husain. "Everyone has their own style and it's important you find yours."
Whether it's because of his equipment or his editing, the final effect on his Instagram feed is awe-inspiring indeed. Perhaps that's because the pictures are his way of paying tribute to the UAE - a country he believes provides endless photo opportunities.
"UAE has got everything from glittering cityscapes to beautiful seascapes to endless deserts. So, what I try to do is show places from a different perspective. I visit the same places again and again to see if I can shoot differently or include a new subject. Finally, it's all about quality over quantity. There are days I got on a shoot and end up with nothing but that doesn't discourage me from shooting again."
His tips for budding photographers include being careful about lighting - Husain's favourite time for a shoot is sunrise and sunset - differentiating yourself by being creative and practising a lot. It's also important to be patient.
"Your page won't grow overnight," he says. "Keep putting in quality content and you will see results. And get to know other Instagrammers on a personal level - you'll learn a lot from them too."
Up in the air with aerial photography
Name: Jumana Jolie
Handle: @pixelville
Followers: 108K
With a large following on Instagram, Jumana Jolie is, undoubtedly, one of the UAE's best Instagram photographers. And, once you've seen samples of her work, it's clear why she's so popular. Taken from ridiculously high angles, Jumana offers her followers a glimpse of the country unlike anything they've seen before - and her pictures can make anyone with a fear of heights feel dizzy. So, how does she take such 'high-flying' shots of the country? And doesn't she fear those heights herself?
"Heights do scare me," she confesses. "There is always some level of fear when I'm shooting from high rises, but safety comes first, and I remind myself that I'm there to take beautiful photos from a very unique altitude, and so constructing my shots takes over and the fear just fades away. I used to have a fear of flying and everytime I was on an assignment, shooting from a helicopter, I would be anxious. But over time, that also faded away and now aerial photography (from helicopters) is my favourite style that I can't live without."
Facing her fears and going against the grain is not new to the Lebanese Palestinian who works as a photojournalist in the UAE and has previously worked with Reuters for seven years. It's a job that has take her all over the Middle East and she credits it with helping her develop her skills, while teaching her to be more versatile with assignments.
It helped that she has a background in photography, having studied it in college, 'in the pre-digital age'. "I started shooting with film mediums like 35mm, developing everything in a darkroom. This is before the Internet age, before social media and I'm very grateful to have learned it as part of my college programme. I wouldn't say it makes me better than others because there's so much incredible talent, but it gives me an edge."
Ultimately, Jumana believes that good photography is the product of practice, the equipment used and being in the right place at the right time with the right lighting. Editing is important too. "I would say a good picture is about 80 per cent how you shoot it and 20 per cent how you edit," she muses. "The thing about photography is that you always want to capture what your eyes are seeing but if you're looking at a beautiful landscape, the camera does not always capture the scene the way you're seeing it. That's where decisions like subtracting elements from the frame, taking a few steps towards or away from your subject and tilting the camera for a higher perspective factor in."
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder
Name: Debbie Fortes
Handle: @debbiefortes
Followers: 53.2K
A lot of people take incredible pictures of Dubai's skyline, but one look at Debbie's profile, and you'll know that there's something that sets her pictures apart. Her photography doesn't just focus on the glamorous side of Dubai but captures the beauty of hidden gems. These could be places you've crossed a million times on the streets of old Dubai, or noticed while walking along Dubai Creek, and somehow, through her lens, they are all the more beautiful.
"I like minimalism, urban landscapes and architecture," she says. "I'm always looking for interesting lines, shadows and nice walls to incorporate into my photographs - something that does not look flat and has texture to it. I also try to incorporate human beings within my composition. Finally, I edit my photos in a desaturated way so they are not over processed - I like them to be airy and easy on the eye."
Well, no can deny that her Instagram feed, as a whole, is easy on the eye! Hailing from the Philippines, Debbie grew up in an artistically-inclined family but it wasn't until she got hold of a photography book at a young age that she found her calling. But other than taking a basic photography course when she first bought her DSLR in 2013, she's had no professional training. Her pictures - and her profile as a whole - are the result of a style she has developed herself.
"I want a picture to please my eye first," she explains. "So I wait for the right moment, find the right picture to post and make sure that the tones are consistent. I rarely post dark pictures and never put up irrelevant ones since that can ruin my entire Instagram feed. It's not easy."
There are some who believe that a photographer is only as good as his or her equipment, but that's a stereotype Debbie has been breaking for a while now. Although she uses a camera while she is shooting at work, the iPhone is her tool of choice for when she's walking around. In fact, Debbie got featured on the Apple World Gallery for their campaign '#ShotOniPhone6' in 2015; her photo of a man in the Liwa Desert was plastered across billboards, magazines and hoardings in 25 countries.
"The equipment you use isn't really important," she says. "I know people who own great cameras but there's nothing special about their photography. It depends on the person."
Which means anyone and everyone can become a photographer. "Go out more often," advises Debbie. "Discover and explore hidden spots. Find your own niche. Observe. Have fun."
janice@khaleejtimes.com
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