Street Photography in Dubai

Al Fahidi, also called Bastakiya, is one of the oldest parts of Dubai. It is a small grid of restored courtyard houses with wind towers and narrow lanes between sand colored walls, with galleries and cafes inside. The lanes are natural leading lines, and the walls take hard shadows well. I'd go early in the morning, when the light is soft and the lanes are empty. This is the place to make pictures of light and architecture, with a figure small in the frame and not identifiable. A person seen from behind at the end of a lane works. Anything closer needs their consent.

The abras are small wooden water taxis that cross Dubai Creek between Bur Dubai and Deira. The Wandering Lens notes the ride costs about 1 dirham, and it is the best way to see working Dubai from the water. Late afternoon light is warm on the Creek, and the boats and old buildings make a layered frame. Photograph the boats against the skyline. Your fellow passengers and the abra drivers are people too, so ask before you point a camera at them. Many drivers are used to visitors and some will agree.

The textile souk runs along the Creek near the Bur Dubai abra station under a wooden roof. Shops sell fabric and souvenirs, and shopkeepers call out to passersby. The roof gives shade at midday and patches of light fall through it. The souk is busiest in the evening. I'd work the architecture and the fabric displays, and ask shopkeepers for portraits. Many will say yes after a chat. Do not photograph shoppers, especially women, without explicit permission. That is both rude and potentially illegal here.

Across the Creek from Bur Dubai, the spice souk is a set of small lanes with open sacks of spices, dried lemons, frankincense and dried fruit outside tiny shops. The Wandering Lens suggests visiting before sunset. Color and texture are the subjects: piles of spice, and hands weighing goods if the seller agrees. Traders are often happy to talk, and a question about a spice is an easy way to ask for a photo. Do not photograph customers. Expect firm sales pitches and keep moving if you do not want to buy.

The gold souk is a covered arcade a few minutes from the spice souk, lined with shop windows full of gold jewelry. It is busiest in the evening. The windows are the picture: glowing displays, with people seen through or against the glass. That reflection can hide faces and still show the scene. Shop interiors are private property, so ask before shooting inside. Security staff may stop you photographing some displays. Do not photograph people buying jewelry, and keep your lens away from anyone who signals no.

Along the Deira side of the Creek, wooden cargo dhows tie up and load everything from tires to fridges for ports around the region. It is one of the last scenes of old trading Dubai, and the stacks of goods and hulls make strong compositions. This is a working area. Stay out of the way of loading, and ask crews before any photo of them. Some will agree, some will not. Late afternoon light is good. If port or security staff tell you to stop, stop.

Al Seef is a newer promenade on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek, built to look like the old town, with cafes and a waterfront walk. It is calmer than the souks and good at sunset and after dark, when the lanterns come on and abras pass on the water. I'd use it for night work: long exposures of boats and silhouettes on the waterfront. Treat people here the same way as everywhere in Dubai. Keep them small and unidentifiable, or ask.