Photoshooting in Al Ghubaiba

Al Ghubaiba — a beautiful place on the waterfront

If you get off at the Al Ghubaiba stop of the Green Line, you will find yourself in a charming city. Unlike Dubai Downtown, it is not teeming with skyscrapers, where one wants to tower over the other. Al Ghubaiba convinces mainly by the low houses and the individual patterns on the walls, doors and floors.

We were already here a few days ago and both immediately fell in love with this place. You escape the hustle and bustle and glamour of the central city and get to know a piece of culture. Unfortunately, we were here last time only in the evening, when it was already dark. Even though it’s quite romantic to walk through the softly lit alleys and watch the glow of the lights on the water, the darkness doesn’t necessarily lend itself to good photos.
And since this place had too much to offer with its many alleys, sand-colored buildings and fascinating architecture, we just had to come back here in the light to take some photos.

The right equipment

Normally Marc and I are always on the road with two cameras. Until recently we had the Sony Alpha 7 iii and the Sony Alpha 7 ii. But since we had to realize again and again that it makes a big difference if you shoot with the two or the three, we bought a second Sony Alpha 7 iii shortly before our departure. So now we have two identical cameras.

Since we also swap cameras more often to be able to use the different lenses, it is now much easier. You don’t have to adjust to the other camera first, because the operation is now the same.

In order to be able to take different photos and also to always be able to adjust to the new places, we have two different lenses. So we are very flexible and almost always able to take good as well as professional and sharp photos.
The Sony 24–70 mm is an absolute all-rounder. On our first trip, we only had this lens with us. Because of the zoom from 24 mm up to 70 mm, you can actually photograph everything. No matter if you want to zoom in close or if you want to take a shot from further away. With the 24–70 mm, you can adapt to any situation and always take great photos.

But since we also love taking portraits and are both always fascinated by a blurry background, we now also have the Sigma 135mm. This is a fixed focal length. Unfortunately, this makes it less flexible. In confined spaces or even with little freedom of movement outside, you can unfortunately not always use this lens. Due to the 135 focal length, you need a certain distance to the photo subject and this is not always given. However, the person or object is always completely exposed and pops out of the background, so to speak. This automatically creates very beautiful and interesting shots.

Since recently, we also have a GoPro Hero 9 with us. However, we do not really use this for photography but much more to make videos of our trip. I wanted the GoPro especially to be able to take photos and videos in the water.

Shooting with the Sigma 135mm

Since you have a lot of options at this location to move around and put distance between the camera and the subject you want to shoot (in this case, ourselves), we chose the Sigma 135mm here.

To save weight — because at 42 degrees outside temperature every gram counts — we left the 24–70mm in the hotel. Having been here before, we knew what conditions to expect and which was the best lens. When we visit a new place where we definitely want to take photos, we always take both cameras with both lenses.

Now quickly out of the train station and the shooting could begin. On the large, open square there are already many opportunities to take photos. There are palm trees, a few benches and also a green meadow, which is perfect as a color contrast in the background.

When taking photos, we then always take turns. Sometimes Marc takes photos of me and then I take some of him. If we want photos of us together, we then pack the tripod and the remote trigger. But this time it was too much effort for us. When looking at the photos, however, I came to the conclusion that we have to go here again with the tripod.

Camera out and let’s go!

When taking photos, I find it especially important that they look natural and not posed. To achieve this, it is best if you move a little in front of the camera. No matter whether you simply go through your hair with your fingers, maybe take your sunglasses on or off or even go towards or away from the camera. The main thing is to have some natural movement.

I also often dance around in front of the camera, turn in circles or just fool around. Because of our equipment — and probably also the experience — we always get sharp, interesting and natural pictures. In addition, you don’t feel like you’re on display.

The fact that we always joke around, fool around and make the whole thing totally relaxed, also creates a natural laughter, which then makes the photos look cheerful and authentic. Everyone knows this typical “smile once please”. Be it from the school photographer earlier or whatever. This forced smile on command is a smile but you can usually tell that it is not a natural smile or laugh.

So now enough of that. Here are a few of the photos that were taken during our shoot. Since it was too warm for Marc to pose in front of the camera, most of the pictures are of me. But I also have to admit that it was really warm at the end.

Although we only shot for a few minutes — half an hour at the most — many great photos were taken. But with the 42 degrees and the blazing sun that prevails here is also quite enough.

Although there was not a cloud in the sky and the sun is very strong here, the light was perfect for our shoot. Through the pale buildings, the light is reflected from everywhere and you are very well illuminated. I would almost say that this is the ideal place for a shoot.

The ideal shooting spot

After our shooting session at the houses and alleys we were then but also happy to pack the camera again. As on the last evening, we walked along the water to a restaurant to eat something.

As we sat at the table, we discovered that directly in front of us is a small section with a small sandbar. From here you also have a great view of the water and in the background you can always see the city.

So spontaneously we climbed over the railing of the restaurant, down to the sandbank and took photos there again in the sunset. The result can also really be seen in my humble opinion.

With many great photos and memories, finished with a delicious local food, it goes in the evening then back to the hotel. Once there, of course, I had to immediately import the photos and edit. As far as that is concerned, you can compare me with a small child, which may unwrap the gifts only at home.

Even if you take the photos yourself and see them as a preview in the camera, it is still an experience to look at them on the notebook and edit them accordingly. Only then you know for sure that the pictures have become something.

And there are really many great pictures!