June was a good month

June was a good month. One of my images got selected for the GPP "Day and Night" Community exhibition and another image got featured as GPP's Photo of the month. See attached snapshot of the GPP newsletter for June.

The image selected for the exhibition:

And this is the image that was featured for the month:

The Music Room

I went down to The Music Room in Bur Dubai to attend a Beatles revival concert. Before the concert, a local rock band came on stage to perform for a short while and I used the opportunity to have a go at shooting a rock band. I knew that getting acceptably in-focus photographs during a rock concert would be difficult. The lighting designs at concerts, which can be simultaneously elaborate and low light, wreak havoc on your camera’s ability to correctly judge focus. and exposure.

I knew I would need a fast lens and high ISO, shoot in RAW and manual mode. I had decided to shoot with the Fujifilm XT1 and the 56 mm 1.2 lens (85 mm equivalent). Typically, most concert photographers shoot with the 70-200 mm 2.8 lens at a minimum but I knew that I would be able to get close enough to the stage to make the 85 mm focal length acceptable in this case.

The first sets of images were really bad. I tried to use Evaluative/Matrix metering but that didn’t work. The camera was having a hard time getting the right exposures given the high contrast and variable lighting conditions. I switched to spot metering and found it worked much better.

A lot of images were messy. Too much going on in the background, hands, arms, people moving constantly. Eventually, I zoned into one of the musicians and started shooting him from the side using spot metering which worked out much better. The other problem was that because I was shooting on the wider side of the lens (f2.8-4) and the musician moving on the stage all the time, I was unable to get tack sharp images. By closing down a one / two stops more I was able to get sharper images but at the cost of adding noise to the images (having had to push up ISO to it's max of 6400). Despite that given that the whole rock ambiance, I thought the noise added a certain grittiness and character to the images that worked well. If I had been given an editorial task of capturing this band on stage, I think I would have failed completely. I didn't like any of the wide shots at all.

Still, all was not lost. I did get some images that worked. These were primarily focused on capturing one musician at a time but I liked what I ended up with. I especially liked the fact that in a couple of the images I was able to (inadvertently) of course, take advantage of some the stage lighting acting as rim lighting on the musician! That was cool.

Key Learning Points:

-       A camera that allows for clean high-ISO images is a huge advantage as higher ISO settings allow you to keep your shutter speed relatively high, reducing camera shake and better allowing you to freeze action.

-       Try and position yourself to get shots that are as clear of such distractions as possible both in the foreground and the background. I learnt to watch out for microphones that obscure a singer’s face (their mouth in particular), and watch for the shadows microphones as well as some of the lights can cast on the musician / performer. In general, avoid standing directly in front of a singer/performer as more often than not you’ll end up with a microphone where their mouth should be. I have an image with the mike blocking the singers face including in this batch. With regard to background clutter, fast lens will help to make the most of what light you have available as well as create enough shallow depth of field to blur out background distractions.

- Spot metering works well for individual shots!

- Go back and shoot some more. It was fun!

Night time Street photography in Bur Dubai

Bernard, Vikas, Sally, Jonathan and I met up for a bit of night photography in one of the old markets in Bur Dubai. Surprisingly the weather was quite tolerable. Once the sun went down, it cooled down to 33 degrees (centigrade) and the wind help to cool us down even further. The market was full of barbershops, material shops, tailors, butchers, cobblers, supermarkets, mom and pop stores selling a wide variety of wares. It was surprisingly bright due the large number of florescent lighting in and around all the store fronts. We walked around for about 2 hours including a 20 min pit stop at a local juice bar. It was quite a lot of fun and we are hoping to repeat the experience. In terms of the images shot, we experimented with a variety of camera and lens and shooting modes. Jonathan was shooting with a Leica / 50 mm f2.5, Sally had a nikon and Vikas was shooting with a Mark3D. Bernard and I were shooting with the Fuji XT. As usual, he had the 55-200 lens while I was shooting with the kit lens ( I did carry my 55 m along but didn't get the chance to try it out). It was interesting to compare our approaches. He shot in very close while I shot wide so we had different perspectives of the same scene. For example, when I shot this image, he shot this one.

There was a lot of contrast created due to the bright lights and the dark backgrounds. I decided that in processing the images I would try and simulate the Kodak T400 black and White film adjusted for a bit of less grain than what one would have found on if shooting with the actual film. It's a bit more of a dramatic high contrast look and not something that I have tried before. I am still of two minds on whether I like the digital processing or not. There was a lot of storefront and reflections that had to be incorporated in the images. In some case, they added to the drama and in some cases they really were a pain to deal with. There are quite a few shooting and processing challenges that need to be mastered in night street photography.

I am definitely going to go back and shoot more street in Bur Dubai at night.

Early Morning Photowalk at the Dubai Souk

I went down to the Dubai Souk with a photography mate - Bernard and my new acquisition, the Fujifilm XT along with the kit lens (which is damn good in it's own right) and the 56 mm. I came across both Bernard and the XT during the Gulf Photo Plus Photography Festival in Dubai in March this year. Before I go further, I would like to caveat something. I am not writing a full blown review here. There are a number of websites who have done extensive technical reviews which the reader can easily research on the web.

From a shooting perspective, one of the best "not so techy" reviews out there so far, in my opinion, is the one posted by David Nightingale recently. So stop right here if you haven't read it. Read it and then come back to my post.

(Click here to read David's review)

A compelling and accurate write up. I don't think I can add any comments of substance to the review but what I can do is - vouch for the veracity of that review. Why? because first, I have the privilege of being very much acquainted with David and two, I pretty much went through the same shooting and conversion experience as David (albeit I was not included in the top ten list who were given a free kit  (lol).

You have got to respect Fujifilm's marketing strategy. Not only have they improved their camera line over a short period of time, they take on board the suggestions given to them by serious photographers all over the world and they give photographer pros and wannabes (like myself) the opportunity to test the camera out, no holds barred, no conditions attached. How much better could that get? During the Gulf PHoto Plus Week this march, I discovered that Fujifilm had set up shop and was loaning it's various camera models and lens to all GPP participants for free. Of course, I wasn't going to forego that opportunity so I borrowed an XT with the Kit lens as a lark. I had just bought the Sony Alpha 7 with the 35 mm lens and I didn't' think that the XT shooting experience could be any better than the Sony.

I was wrong.

It's far, far better.

For all the reasons that David Nightingale has laid out in his review.

And because when I shoot with it, my heart fills with joy. Really.

And because they offer a much broader range of lens. More options than Sony. Much better glass. (What was I thinking when I bought that camera? Ah yes, I got lost in the full frame, lightest camera argument)

My only request right now is if Fuji can update their firmware to allow for better HDR shooting. I want to be able to shoot 5 exposures one EV apart.

But I digress - back to the photo walk on saturday. Both Bernard and I were shooting with the XT, I was using the 56 mm and he was using the 55-200 mm.  Bernard was full of fantastic photo stories and information and the XT was doing it's thang. An all around amazing morning that I hope to repeat again.

We shared our images after the fact and both of us had images which were beautifully rendered, skin tones and all. 

Singing the GPP blues

Well, it's over. The best week I have had photography wise this year. I was privileged to be part of the GPP team this year. 15 instructors, 48 workshops and 7 special events! I assisted David Nightingale (www.chromasia.com) in running three workshops that involved shooting urban landscapes, street photography, digital processing and a two day trip down to the Eastern Coast of UAE. It was a fantastic experience. I did things I never thought I would do - getting up an ungodly hours twice (4 am), scaling a small wall (very ungracefully), scraped my elbows, tottered over some rocks, walked incessantly (my knees hurt) and was generally sleep deprived and incoherent. I jumped over a dog (don't ask, long story), negotiated for the return of a camera confiscated by the border police, generally accosted old arab men asking for permission to photograph them and switched from the Sony Alpha to the Fuji XT (More about the last one in another post soon)

I met some fantastic people who participated in the workshops and all the events and who share a mutual passion for photography. I am sure that some of us will continue to stay in touch and will try to find ways to get together to share views, critique images and discuss gear.

I had the opportunity to meet Gregory Heisler, David Hobby, Joe McNally, David Alan Harvey, Bobbi Lane, Eric Kim, RC Conception, Joel Grimes, Steve Simon and Zack Arias amongst others. How much better could it be?

The festival closed with the photo shootout between Sara Lando and Zack Arias. I am sure it will be posted on youtube soon so I won't spoil it for the reader but what a fantastic experience.  Then I am going collate my images and post them on the blog/social media.

I am so rejuvenated. I was feeling very stale and depressed the week before GPP started. Work was wearing me down and I was constantly surrounded by an atmosphere of negativity. Taking the time off to listen to these very creative and passionate master photographers, listening to their life stories, trying to absorb all the advice they were giving out and the overall atmosphere of optimism and encouragement was a balm to my soul. It came at the right time for me. I am determined to re-apply myself to my photography.

Key Takeaways for me this week:

"First learn all the rules [photographically] and then break them"

"Choose one camera, one lens, one light and one modifier for your next personal project - keep it really simple"  (Zack Arias)

"Think like an artist, not as a photographer" - [Joel Grimes]

• If you define yourself as a “Traditional Photographer”, (which of course is an open ended discussion that nobody seems to agree on) then you cross the realm of the unforgivable.  But as an “Artist”, all is forgiven.  Why, because as an artist you get to fulfill your artistic vision, not a ”representation of reality”. As an “Artist” there are no boundaries, unless you make the decision to set boundaries to best fulfill your vision as artist.  Now that is freedom.  Freedom to explore without preconceived ideas and guidelines established by others.
• "A sandbag has a 1000 more uses than a light meter"

"Build a body of work in series" - {everyone}

"if you are not sure of the shot, take it anyway" {Eric Kim}

"Don't rush, sometimes you need to be deliberative - {David Nightingale}

"Create an inspiration book"

"Tell a story visually"

Start of GPP2014

GPP2014, the biggest photo event in Dubai, started this week. The event is organized by Gulf Photo Plus who do tremendous job of bringing world class photographers and photography aficionados together to run workshops, seminars and panels. It is truly a fantastic event to attend if you love photography. Their website is Gulf Photo Plus.

This year I am getting to assist David Nightingale and we just finished his work called "Shoot the City". I am dead tired but I just had to post the start of the photography festival today so that there is some context for next set of posts on my blog for the next few days.

The week started with the launch of Gregory Heisler's 50 Portraits on thursday followed by photofriday - day of seminars given by the photographers visiting and running the workshops.

In one day, I met Zack Arias, Bobbi Lane, Joel Grimes, Gregory Hiesler, Eric Kim, RC Conception, Joe McNally and Steve Simon. And let's not forget David Nightingale. For passionate photographers, it was veritable feast to delight all senses.

This morning I had a very early start 4 am when I went out with David Nightingale to shoot the city. We went down to Jumeriah Beach, then to the DIFC followed by a sunset shoot at the Palm Jumeriah. I think I got a few good ones but I am too tired to edit anything right now so will post it later.

Off to "Shoot the Street" tomorrow - the day starts at 6 am for me.

Follow the events on twitter @saadiaxoxo, #gpp2014, @gulfphotoplus

It's a week to remember.

The best camera really is the one on you...

This image was taken with my iPhone using the hipstamatic app. I was standing on the steps of a train directly opposite this one and just randomly shooting. I knew l liked the colors and the way the light was falling but I was really surprised when I saw the almost painterly affect of this particular image. I like the way the colors are saturated, the little bit of bokah here and there, the rays of light. I like it all.