<<< o >>>DIFC 2009 #1 21 comments + add yours
chromasia.com

If you were a visitor at around this time last year you will probably remember that I posted quite a few shots of the Dubai International Financial Centre (The Gate #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7). When I shot it last year I was working on a project for a local gallery, and thoroughly enjoyed the shoot, but I certainly didn't expect to be shooting it again this year.

A couple of months ago though the DIFC got in touch as they'd found my 2008 images and wanted to licence them. They also asked me to spend another three days shooting the building and the Gate Village (comprised of shops, restaurants and galleries). So I've spent the last fews days shooting, and have a couple of thousand images to work through over the coming weeks. I probably won't post quite as many as I did last year, as I'm hoping to shoot some personal material while I'm here too, but I did think that this one was worth sharing.

As with a lot of my recent stuff, it's a seven-shot HDR, but in this instance it was processed with FDRTools rather than Photomatix Pro.

As always, let me know what you think, even if it is to tell me that you're totally fed up with me posting HDR images :)

 
3x2 + HDR + travel [Dubai, UAE] + reflections [glass] + photo friday
comment by Carlos Garcia at 12:39 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

I do remember those pictures. You have the ability to create art out of structures and this image is no exception. It evokes an ancient Greek ethos. Great framing and sense of geometry.

Carlos

comment by Ilan at 12:46 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

I'm looking at it a few minutes now, and It's just impossible to understand which is the "real" side and where is the reflection!
Awesome result, seems kind of surreal with both sides are in such a perfect similarity between them.

comment by Dave Wilson at 12:58 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

I love the geometry, symmetry and tonal range of this image. The tone mapping is, as ever, gorgeous. I've not tried FDRTools but I'll have to give them a look now.

comment by Briony at 01:38 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

I love the perspective of this shot and the contrast is rockin!

comment by Stephane Nett at 05:02 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

Impressive photo, perfect angle and symmetry... Bravo !!!

comment by Garry at 05:02 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

Great to see the place again :)
I think the HDR works well in B+W - it provides more texture for the shot.

comment by Brett at 05:29 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

As always, your architectural images are outstanding...I remember the original series and these are just as incredible.

comment by Krims@nline.be at 06:40 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

Stunning work, excellent perspective and processing. Well done!

comment by Polydactyle at 08:45 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

Excellent urban architecture view. This balanced shot is superb.

comment by Olivier Jules at 09:39 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

just a stunning shot!

comment by YETi at 09:57 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

With all the Dubai shots, are the any people that live there? I can't recall seeing an images with any humans in? The series is really great tho.

comment by frans at 10:10 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

@ ilan: the left is the 'real' picture and the right the reflection. Love this image.

comment by Miles at 10:12 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

I'm never fed up with HDR...

comment by Jérôme at 11:46 PM (GMT) on 27 March, 2009

@ frans: I agree!
But at first I just thought it was only one real picture! What's weird though is that the clouds on the right side do not match exactly the ones in the right side. I guess the right side clouds do not come from the same exposure as the left side ones... Am I wrong ?

comment by Dan Kaufman at 12:30 AM (GMT) on 28 March, 2009

exceptionally good--again. the reflection composition is so well done it's almost invisible (just like the King's new clothes.)

comment by Chris Chisu at 03:09 AM (GMT) on 28 March, 2009

Must be really hot over there. Looks like everyone is somewhere indoors sipping some cold drink. Works well.

comment by XaviH at 07:58 PM (GMT) on 28 March, 2009

Powerful composition, the symmetry is surprisingly well done!!

comment by aurore at 10:55 AM (GMT) on 29 March, 2009

une grande maitrise de cette technique hdr
une formidable image!

comment by Dave at 04:12 PM (GMT) on 29 March, 2009

An outstanding photo. Very creative composition, great detail even in the shadows. Well controlled in what I can imagine was rather harsh lighting. And of course the processing is magical. Loved last years series and it looks like this year will not disapoint.
Regards,

Dave

comment by djn1 at 08:10 PM (GMT) on 29 March, 2009

Thanks all :)

comment by Tom at 02:15 PM (GMT) on 12 April, 2009

Great composition. Really nice shot. I tried to do something similar from underneath the Forth Road Bridge in Edinburgh the other night, but I think I need to a lot more work on my processing to make it look this good.