Off to the UAE

[sweathog]

Hello all,
just a quick question (well, probably not). I'm off to the UAE in October, and was wondering a few things. This isn't going to be a gear question, I'll take what I take and that's that, that way it will be my fault if I mess up.

I'm going to be based in Al Ain, but will be visiting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and probably be popping over to Oman as well.

Does anybody have any experience shooting over in that neck of the woods? Are there any cultural/social/religious implications that I should observe?
Is there anywhere that I must visit?
Is there anything I shouldn't do?

Much obliged for any answers/suggestions/warnings,
Tom

 

[sahe69]

It's really hard to generalise anything since vast majority of the people in UAE are not native. Most are from India and Pakistan, if I can judge anything from my short experience in Abu Dhabi. Just keep your eyes open, use common sense and be polite. That should take you quite far, of course not forgetting the general social rules in arabic countries.

 

[sweathog]

Thanks for the feedback. I sort of figured on the different groups having different issues. I have relatives out there, but not with much of experience of photography beyond "Nice sunset, nice oasis" etc.

I guess a good rule of thumb would be no street, if I want to make a portrait ask first... Seems sensible to me.

 

[functus]

Dubai is cosmopolitan enough -- and familiar enough with tourists -- that casual snaps on the street aren't generally a problem. Taking a photograph where the image is obviously "of" a person or intrusive should probably not be done without permission -- a smile and raising your camera to see what the response is before shooting is a good idea (and should ALWAYS be done before you take a photo of women in traditional dress).

There is also a sensitivity to taking photographs of government/military/security installations of any kind ...