This one was taken from Madinat Jumeirah, with the Burj Al-Arab in the background - supposedly the most luxurious hotel in the world. You get your own butler, chauffeur driven roller, and so on.
Having visited the Sky Bar on my recent trip though (the Sky Bar is the cigar-shaped bit jutting out near the top of the hotel) I have to say that there's a definite difference between opulence and wealth on the one hand, and taste and class on the other. The place screamed money, but it screamed it so loud that I failed to come away with much of an impression of anything else.
That said, if you fancy spending an evening in a room that looks like a cross between a Blackpool nightclub, albeit one with a slightly better view, and an LED science project gone wrong, then you'd probably have a good time :-)
To get back to this image though: this is an HDR, constructed from a seven shot sequence using FDRTools. Once I've had a chance to use the programme a bit more I'll let you know a bit more about it.
bravelee: thanks. As for keeping the best till the end: I thought twice about posting this one. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's very much a 'postcard' shot. Anyway, I'm glad you like it but I have to say that I have four more Dubai shots to put up, all of which I prefer to this one :-)
comment byJennifer at 09:55 PM (GMT) on 10 May, 2008
I am very much enjoying your Dubai series of photographs. They are stunning. : )
comment by Tibs at 10:19 PM (GMT) on 10 May, 2008
I have a shot that is v similar somewhere on my PC - I love the contrast between the seemingly old and tradional to the more contemporary design of the burj.
Another great shot
PS: I think the Sky Bar is the weakest piece of interior design in the whole of the hotel..but I still love it :P
comment byBJ Vicks at 12:12 AM (GMT) on 11 May, 2008
BREATHTAKING colors! I love that the plants (or stones or whatever) under the water are visible even though the reflection on the water is very strong.
comment bysilfver at 02:23 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2008
Wow. This shot is so beautiful! Easy one of your best on this blog. Love the details and the colours. This one looks so much better than a postcard. Great work Dave!
comment byRichard Trim at 07:58 PM (GMT) on 11 May, 2008
My realistic knowledge of Dubai is essentially nil. Having browsed this fascinating series ... I get the feeling that everything is built in very contemporary materials , that everything is clinicaly clean, that the streets are empty and lacking any real character, that it's probably far too hot , that my annual income wouldn't last me more than a couple of hours, that there would be no hassle from traffic wardens , no simple coffee bars
Heck I better stop before I become permanently bitter and twisted with envy.
Bet you had a great time Dave... but as they say ...''it's nice to get home.
Ha!
richard
comment byLuis Faustino at 10:09 AM (GMT) on 12 May, 2008
Hey Richard,
your thoughts on Dubai are a bit far from truth..
Last December I was there for my third time, and I can tell you: the cost of living is way cheaper then UK or Ireland for instance.
The housing cost is rising lately, but other than that you're OK!
David: your photos really capture the essence of luxury in Dubai's city scape.
I have to admit my favourite was the one with the three men 'on balance', facing the river.
Next time you go there do try to sneak into the last floor of the Burj Al Arab.. there are two employees checking the entrance to the rooms, but if you ask nicely, they will let you look down to the very bottom, where all the shops are.
I regret not taking a photo there, I didn't want to push my luck, but it was so far the best image I bring from the Burj. Only it is on my mind!
Amazing reflection! and some very punchy colours!!
comment by Lieneke at 08:20 AM (GMT) on 22 May, 2008
Great contrast with the difference in buildings!!
comment byEd O'Keeffe at 11:03 PM (GMT) on 27 May, 2008
This is one of my favorite photographs you have ever published, it is fanatastic. I think it is over processed for the web. I am sure this would look amazing on a large print but on the small resolution of the web it does lose a lot of its original quality as such the hotel and palm trees seem to lose sharpness and quality. Might be worth bringing down the dynamic range a tiny fraction. That being sad I still love it. Well done David
comment byReuben Chircop at 08:26 AM (GMT) on 28 May, 2008
I really like this shot besides the perfect composition it is crystal clear and full of detail
comment byMads Eneqvist at 11:49 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2008
This one was taken from Madinat Jumeirah, with the Burj Al-Arab in the background - supposedly the most luxurious hotel in the world. You get your own butler, chauffeur driven roller, and so on.
Having visited the Sky Bar on my recent trip though (the Sky Bar is the cigar-shaped bit jutting out near the top of the hotel) I have to say that there's a definite difference between opulence and wealth on the one hand, and taste and class on the other. The place screamed money, but it screamed it so loud that I failed to come away with much of an impression of anything else.
That said, if you fancy spending an evening in a room that looks like a cross between a Blackpool nightclub, albeit one with a slightly better view, and an LED science project gone wrong, then you'd probably have a good time :-)
To get back to this image though: this is an HDR, constructed from a seven shot sequence using FDRTools. Once I've had a chance to use the programme a bit more I'll let you know a bit more about it.
1st!
great color! love this shot. you really know how to preserve the best to the end:)
bravelee: thanks. As for keeping the best till the end: I thought twice about posting this one. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's very much a 'postcard' shot. Anyway, I'm glad you like it but I have to say that I have four more Dubai shots to put up, all of which I prefer to this one :-)
This is immense!
I am very much enjoying your Dubai series of photographs. They are stunning. : )
I have a shot that is v similar somewhere on my PC - I love the contrast between the seemingly old and tradional to the more contemporary design of the burj.
Another great shot
PS: I think the Sky Bar is the weakest piece of interior design in the whole of the hotel..but I still love it :P
This is truly a stunner.
perfect name for a perfect shot. just WOW!
BREATHTAKING colors! I love that the plants (or stones or whatever) under the water are visible even though the reflection on the water is very strong.
Wow. This shot is so beautiful! Easy one of your best on this blog. Love the details and the colours. This one looks so much better than a postcard. Great work Dave!
Thanks all :-)
My realistic knowledge of Dubai is essentially nil. Having browsed this fascinating series ... I get the feeling that everything is built in very contemporary materials , that everything is clinicaly clean, that the streets are empty and lacking any real character, that it's probably far too hot , that my annual income wouldn't last me more than a couple of hours, that there would be no hassle from traffic wardens , no simple coffee bars
Heck I better stop before I become permanently bitter and twisted with envy.
Bet you had a great time Dave... but as they say ...''it's nice to get home.
Ha!
richard
Hey Richard,
your thoughts on Dubai are a bit far from truth..
Last December I was there for my third time, and I can tell you: the cost of living is way cheaper then UK or Ireland for instance.
The housing cost is rising lately, but other than that you're OK!
David: your photos really capture the essence of luxury in Dubai's city scape.
I have to admit my favourite was the one with the three men 'on balance', facing the river.
Next time you go there do try to sneak into the last floor of the Burj Al Arab.. there are two employees checking the entrance to the rooms, but if you ask nicely, they will let you look down to the very bottom, where all the shops are.
I regret not taking a photo there, I didn't want to push my luck, but it was so far the best image I bring from the Burj. Only it is on my mind!
Keep putting photos from Dubai!
Cheers
Luis' right. Property is very expensive in Dubai, but food and transport are a bit cheaper than in the UK.
amazing scene .. i like the contrast of the two architectures!
Doesn´t look like HDR very much and is not too oversaturated. As long as someone is able to afford it, why not.
What a great photo. A+ . Amazing details.
Amazing reflection! and some very punchy colours!!
Great contrast with the difference in buildings!!
This is one of my favorite photographs you have ever published, it is fanatastic. I think it is over processed for the web. I am sure this would look amazing on a large print but on the small resolution of the web it does lose a lot of its original quality as such the hotel and palm trees seem to lose sharpness and quality. Might be worth bringing down the dynamic range a tiny fraction. That being sad I still love it. Well done David
I really like this shot besides the perfect composition it is crystal clear and full of detail
Once again, AMAZING! Nothing less.
Regards!