Souk Shopping Photo

Photographer’s Note

Christmas shopping with a difference, at the Madinat Souk Jumairah. This is a wonderful development within walking distance from the Burj Al Arab Hotel, which to me has a certain old world charm to it, although it is only three years old. The entire development, which is built along the Gulf waters, is full of wonderful restaurants, coffee shops, charming retail outlets and a number of excellent Arabic styled hotels.....all conected by water ways which are serviced by arbras (water taxis), which will transport you in quiet style from one attraction to the next.
This photo was taken inside the shopping area, which is styled almost exactly like the traditional old souk, located near the creek. Here I was trying to capture the beam of sun light which was "falling" onto the people as they did their Christmas shopping, and include some of the subtle decoratons hanging in this passage way. I increased ISO to 400 so that I did not have to use a flash or tripod.
I used my Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 USM lens, and increased contrast slightly and highlighted some shadowed areas.

Paul65, edal, Dpbours, Anna-- has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PSkillz (1327) 2007-12-30 5:56

Hey grant....nice atmo well captured....
greetings PPP

Nicou (45003) 2007-12-31 3:16

Hello,

mangigique image de ce souk, un vrai dépaysement, une très belle envie d'évasion de flânirie, d'envie d'odeurs, mangigique.

Tous mes voeux pour 2008.

Amitiés

Nicou

edal (6571) 2008-01-01 6:41

Hello Grant!
Your Canon camera has rendered wonderful golden shades - very appropriate of the place. Magnificent composition and sharpness!
Happy and rewarding New 2008!
Anton

zmfactor (288) 2008-01-03 23:10

Hi Grant, thanks for sharing such a wonderful scene. And very useful note to go with it too. Now, I'm curious as to why you used a f/3.5 aperture. Given the low-light conditions, why didn't you use the larger f/2.8 that your lens was capable of? Just trying to pick your brain a bit.

Thanks!

Dpbours (220) 2008-01-05 14:37

Hi Grant,

Quite quiet for a bustling souk! That is for sure the calmest souk I've seen in a long time :-). I like it. I like the warm tones, the yellows and the colours in the dresses. But it feels like the focus is quite on the tourists in the foreground and I'm wondering why you did that when there is so much beauty around!

Greetings, Dennis

sevy (13564) 2008-01-06 1:33

Hello Grant,

You succeeded perfectly to translate the atmosphere of this souk. The composition is good to highlight the interior architecture and the people are well separated to allow a readable photo.
I like also the pastel tones and colors of this shot.

Yves.

Flavia (10202) 2008-01-07 5:48

Hi Grant,

Nice picture you got here. In a difficult condition you worked well the the light. All the details are well rendered.

Regards,

Flavia

king (2598) 2008-03-05 22:54

Hi Grant
Delicious picture is this with nice souk colours and so much to see!
I like it.
Gr.
Huub

Anna-- (7739) 2008-03-16 6:32

Ciao Grant,
very interesting atmpsphere captured in this shopping area with a beautiful architecture. Great light and excellent details
Anna

francio64 (11174) 2008-12-21 14:09

Ciao Grant,
bella immagine di questa galleria-mercato di Dubai.
La ricchezza dei dettagli, sono il punto forte della foto.
Good sharp, DOF and lights! Well done!

Francesco