Ramp up your photography skills this spring in Dubai, where change and rejuvenation are at every turn. Join the Mentor Series in this once-sleepy fishing village and now budding metropolis where Nikon professional photographers David Tejada and Michael Clark will match that energy and more. Pack your camera and prepare for a journey you won’t soon forget!
One of the world’s most luxurious hotels and the city’s most famous landmark the Burj Al Arab towers over the skyline like a luminescent yacht with the wind captured in its sails. Present Dubai’s story in a shot: Just as the hotel seems to glide from its private island toward the coastline, the ancient city is currently riding the wave of opulence and modernity. Allow your mentors to guide you through creating images in the unique desert light, a technique that will come in handy for the remainder of the trip.
A stop at Jumierah Mosque will prove that Dubai is still steeped in tradition. Cameras are permitted, so focus on the intricate stone carvings, painted ceilings and Arabic calligraphy. The Bastakia Quarter, a relic of the old Dubai, offers a glimpse into the past. Follow the zigzag of wind-towered buildings to the souk, or marketplace. Turn your lens toward merchants unfurling vibrant textiles before boarding the abra (“water taxi”) to snap images of the spices and wares across the creek. Gild your portfolio at the Gold Souk, Dubai’s hub of precious metals and gems. End the day on the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and fill your frame with an aerial view of the city below.
Dubai comes alive on Al Seef Street after dark, when the temperature drops—the perfect opportunity to capture all the electric action. From a vantage point over Sheikh Zayed Road practice slow shutter speeds to show motion as the cars on the United Arab Emirates’ major thoroughfare zoom past. Stop to capture Jumierah Mosque once again—this holy locale radiates at night.
The adventure never stops, especially when we travel to the Arabian desert. Explore the dunes on an off-road vehicle and take in a camel caravan against the arid landscape as the sun sets. Enjoy a bedouin dinner in the desert, complete with a belly dancer. A day trip to the East Coast takes us through spectacular mountain scenery, a local market, a picturesque fishing village, a lunch by the Indian Ocean and much more. End this exciting trek on a high note—literally!—with an early morning hot-air-balloon ride, photographing from high above as the sun greets the desert landscape.
Your experience in Dubai will not only build your portfolio and improve your photographic confidence, it will be the experience of a lifetime you won’t want to miss. Sign up today!
I’m very excited to be visiting Dubai once again. This will be my third visit to this stunning city. If this your first time to visit the U.A.E. (United Arab Emirates), Dubai is a terrific place to start. When I’m asked by friends to describe Dubai, I tell them that it reminds me of the model I saw as a child in Tomorrow Land at Disneyland. That model had futuristic skyscrapers and a monorail system running through it... Dubai is the city of the future. WoW! The desert landscapes are beautiful as are the cityscapes of some of the most luxurious building known to man. Will be visiting a fantastic Mosque as well as the old shopping centers known as Souk’s. Dubai is a safe place to travel to and will soon become your favorite place to travel to in the future. Join me for this fantastic Trek to Dubai, I love this place and I know you will as well. David Tejada
Air & Land Workshop Cost: $4,799
Includes international roundtrip airfare from JFK to Dubai, 5 star hotel accommodations for 6 nights (based on double occupancy), breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, English speaking tour guide, all entrance fees, transportation to all shooting locations, daily lecture series, presentations and group review sessions.
Land Only Workshop: $4,099
Includes 5 star hotel accommodations for 6 nights (based on double occupancy), breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, English speaking tour guide, all entrance fees, transportation to all shooting locations, daily lecture series, presentations and group review sessions.
Single Supplement: $800
Weather
We are very casual on the treks. We will be shooting mainly outdoors, so bring a variety of clothing you can layer. Dress comfortably, with good walking shoes. Make sure to have rain gear with you at all times to protect your camera bag and camera. http://www.weather.com/
Travel Insurance
Access America (tel. 866/807-3982; www.accessamerica.com)
Travel Guard International (tel. 800/826-4919; www.travelguard.com)
Travel Insured International (tel. 800/243-3174; www.travelinsured.com)
Travelex Insurance Services (tel. 888/457-4602; www.travelex-insurance.com).
Digital Review Sessions
We will have digital review sessions throughout the workshop. You will be asked to select 5 images for each review session that you will review with your mentor on your own laptop.
Equipment
Bring a camera, lenses, flash, lightweight tripod, filters, lens hoods, lens cloth, battery charger, batteries, storage device or portable hard drives, card reader, all cables, power converters, memory cards and adapters, a rain cover for your backpack and camera, cable release and your cameras manual.
Non-Photographers/Spouse Policy
We would like to notify you that spouses or non photographers of trek participants who travel with them to mentor series trek destinations advertised as part of the mentor series will be charged the prevailing workshop cost. This is because of limitations in the workshop classes, transportation and seating at the many venues we work with on the treks.
Incidentals
You are responsible to pay for all charges to your room when we check out of your hotels. Incidentals such as room service, drinks, phone calls, business services, laundry, etc. are not included.
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