Virginia 513413

‘Expressing your Vision’

Assignment 1

‘Square Mile’

For this assignment the brief was to make a series of six to twelve images in

response to the concept of ‘The Square Mile’.

My initial response was excitement. Since I have photographed my neighbourhood

before I decided to use this opportunity to take a fresh experimental look at my

surrounding area.

Using a compass I circled a mile on a map with my house being the centre and I

planned a photowalk within the boundry.

After looking at the Square Mile Practitioners links I compared their images with what

I wanted to photograph. Venetia Dearden, Peter Mansell and Roni Horn images

were in my mind, as I was walking around taking pictures.

My images are based on the people I met and the things I seen on my journey

through my neighbourhood over a weekend.

My camera is a Canon 600D with my 18-55mm kit lens. I have used various settings

on my camera depending on the situation and the speed at which I needed to take

the photograph.

I have cropped and minimally adjusted the photos when needed. Only one photo

has been converted to black and white. The original colour photo can be found on

the contact sheets. I used a tripod for the night time long exposure shots.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’

1.‘Abandoned’

Settings : 1/40 , F7.1, ISO 100,fl 21mm ,Aperture priority.

My first photo is called ‘Abandoned’. Living close to Dubai International Airport I see abandoned

luggage trolleys all along the road most mornings. Once a week the airport staff come and collect all

the rogue trolleys. When I seen this trolley I thought of the image ‘Untitled’ by William Eggleston

(page 11) in book ‘The photograph as a Contemporary Art’ by Charlotte Cotton. The red on the

trolley catches the eye and contrasts with the green from the overgrown shrub which gives the

image strength of appeal but it is a square crop because there was a car in the way which isn’t as

such a weakness but unusual.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 2. Patience

Settings: 1/160, F8, ISO 100, fl 34mm

These guys are from Pakistan, just arrived in Dubai and they were waiting to get picked up by their

ride to Sharjah. They graciously let me take their photo. So I sat on the floor to get to their level.

Even though here their faces look straight and even frowning, when I put the camera down they

were all smiling again.

All the workers do it here in the Middle East it’s because they have only experienced their photo

being taken for ID purposes. So they associate a camera pointing at them with the straight face

pose.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 3.Minaret

Settings: 1/320sec,F10,ISO 100,fl 18mm, Program

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 4 My Favourite Mosque

Settings: 1/200sec, F8, ISO 100 fl 41mm,Program.

In Dubai there is virtually a Mosque on every corner. This is one of my favourites because of its

ornate masonry. The minaret is from the same beautiful mosque.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 5.The Gardener

Settings: 1/80sec,F5.6,ISO 100,fl 23mm, Program

Initially, I was going to take a picture of the shadow of the bike but the gardener came out the gate

and asked to pose. The young Pakistani Gardeners love having their picture taken. Garhoud is an old

area of Dubai, it has a lot of big old villas with big gardens. Every day I see gardeners about moving

from villa to villa working hard under the sun.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 6.Waiting in the AC

Settings: 1/80sec, F5, ISO 100,fl 18mm, Program

This was taken from the top of the escalator. The metro stations have a futuristic feel about them.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 7. Late for Work

Settings: 1/60sec, F5, ISO 100,fl 18mm, Program

A Philipino lady running towards the exit

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 8. Crash Victim.

Settings: 1/200sec, F9, ISO 100, fl 18mm, Program.

This was taken in Umm Ramool. This area of Dubai is where all the automotive repairs are

undertaken. I saw several damaged vehicles which were just parked up on the sand. The U.A.E is

one of the world’s worst places to drive. I chose to include the crashed school bus in the background

to add a depth of shock to the image.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 9.Leaking tap

Settings: 1/100sec, F5.6, ISO 100, fl 18mm, Program

This is on my road. Water is free for all Emiratis. Some Emiratis place water fountains like this

outside their villas for road sweepers, gardeners or anyone who is thirsty to use.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 10.Eat and Drink Queue.

Settings: 1/30sec, F3.5, ISO 1000,fl 18mm, Program

This is ‘THE’ place for a chicken Shawarma. Best Chicken Shawarmas in Dubai and right down my

road. I had to take this image very quickly before the people queuing realised otherwise I would get

the ‘ID’ pose.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 11.Business Bay Bridge.

Settings: 4sec, F22, ISO 1600, fl 18mm Manual

Business Bay Bridge goes over the creek which is fast moving and tidal. All the bridges in Dubai are

lit up one colour or another.

Virginia 513413 ‘Expressing your Vision’ 12. Under the bridge

Settings:6 sec, F22, ISO 500, fl 18mm, Manual

Long exposure shot from underneath Business Bay Bridge.