Pre-wedding preparations for Samson

I had fun this morning photographing Samson, his relatives and closest friends as they all prepared for his wedding later that day (which as covered by another photographer). Glad that all went well on the big day !!!

Samson stands between his mother and father in their living room as everyone prays.

Now heading off to the wedding !!!

Visa Renewal Trip to Northern Oman

This cormorant was drying out his wings in the sunshine on the beach in Oman, but I wondered whether the feathers were damaged and prevented him from flying ?

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 + 2x convertor: f3.5 : 1/1000" : 400mm : ISO 800: 17.12.2011 14:46:42)

City Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Photo Shoot, Day 7

This is one of the photographs that I took today that was selected by the City Seasons Hotel Management for their new web site, brochures and fliers.

City Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Photo Shoot, Day 6

These are two of the photographs that I took today that were selected by the City Seasons Hotel Management for their new web site, brochures and fliers.

City Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Photo Shoot, Day 5

This is one of the photographs that I took today that was selected by the City Seasons Hotel Management for their new web site, brochures and fliers.

City Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Photo Shoot, Day 4

This is one of the photographs that I took today that was selected by the City Seasons Hotel Management for their new web site, brochures and fliers.

City Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Photo Shoot, Day 3

This is one of the photographs that I took today that was selected by the City Seasons Hotel Management for their new web site, brochures and fliers.

City Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Photo Shoot, Day 2

This is one of the photographs that I took today that was selected by the City Seasons Hotel Management for their new web site, brochures and fliers.

City Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Photo Shoot, Day 1

This is one of the photographs that I took today that was selected by the City Seasons Hotel Management for their new web site, brochures and fliers.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 50mm f1.8 : f10 : 1/125" : 50mm : ISO 200: 10.12.2011 12:16:13)

Powered Hangglider on Sharjah Beach

(Nikon D700 : Tamron 28-300mm f3.3 - 6.3 : f6.3 : 1/160" : 300mm : ISO 1600: 07.12.2011 17:14:22)

(Nikon D700 : Tamron 28-300mm f3.3 - 6.3 : f8 : 1/250" : 50mm : ISO 1600: 07.12.2011 17:14:25)

Mass Wedding

I was priviledged to be invited back for the 3rd consecutive year to be one of the team of photographers covering the Annual Mass Wedding of 49 couples at St. Marys Catholic Church in Deira, Dubai today.

After the wedding ceremony, I was invited to photograph the wedding reception and party of one of the couples, Jovy and Jhoey.

After this, I went on to the Dubai Mall, to photograph some of the cars exhibited at the 4th Annual Classic Car show. Incredible to think that this Ferrari F40 is now 22 years old and considered a classic car !!! I'm getting old !!!

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/45" : 18mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 18:04:28)

After darkness fell outside, I spotted these four sisters inside the Dubai Mall, dressed and decorated in the UAE National colours !!

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/60" : 23mm : ISO 1600: 02.12.2011 21:50:26)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f6.7 : 1/90" : 23mm : ISO 1600: 02.12.2011 21:49:32)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f6.7 : 1/90" : 26mm : ISO 1600: 02.12.2011 21:48:57)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f6.7 : 1/90" : 46mm : ISO 1600: 02.12.2011 21:46:19)

40th National Day, United Arab Emirates

I got up at 5:00 am this morning to take my first pictures of the 40th National Day celebrations in Dubai ....

.... as a giant cake-shaped hot air balloon took off from Jumeirah.

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 12-24mm f4.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/30" : 24mm : ISO 800: 02.12.2011 06:35:01)

There were a total of six hot air balloons taking part in the 1st UAE Ballooning Championship.

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 30mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:38:26)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 50mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:39:03)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 50mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:40:28)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 32mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:41:28)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 23mm : ISO 400: 02.12.2011 06:42:06)

The hot air balloons were reinflated whilst tethered to the ground in the Merdan Horseracing Stadium in the evening.

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 12-24mm f4.5 - 5.6 : f5 : 1/40" : 12mm : ISO 800: 02.12.2011 19:15:20)

Start of 40th National Day celebrations

This yellow Chevrolet Camaro was covered in fur in the National colours of red, green, black and white as it raced past on a roundabout at night !!!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/60" : 95mm : ISO 3200: 01.12.2011 17:48:19)

7th International Cat Show, Dubai

I had a couple of hours free before a business meeting in the evening, so went along to the 7th International Cat Show in Dubai to view the lovely cats there.

So many interesting smells and sights to explore in the Almas Tower Conference Room !!!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 52mm : ISO 400: 26.11.2011 16:31:32)

The prize-winning Blue Persian cat ....

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f4.5 : 1/125" : 48mm : ISO 400: 26.11.2011 16:40:22)

.... and the prize-winning White Persian cat from the same family !!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/100" : 70mm : ISO 800: 26.11.2011 17:21:57)

The Canadian Sphynx of Xania

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/100" : 66mm : ISO 800: 26.11.2011 17:36:01)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/100" : 48mm : ISO 400: 26.11.2011 16:51:41)

This kitten was a stray cat until 4 days ago, but has just been innoculated and dewormed prior to going to his new home !!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/100" : 48mm : ISO 400: 26.11.2011 16:52:48)

Sultan and Romeo.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/100" : 40mm : ISO 400: 26.11.2011 16:53:56)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/100" : 50mm : ISO 400: 26.11.2011 16:54:26)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5 : 1/100" : 35mm : ISO 800: 26.11.2011 17:52:57)

Judging in progress.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f7.1 : 1/100" : 100mm : ISO 800: 26.11.2011 17:11:13)

Judging for the Best In Show.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5 : 1/100" : 28mm : ISO 800: 26.11.2011 17:41:53)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.3 : 1/100" : 70mm : ISO 800: 26.11.2011 17:43:16)

Matching outfits for the cat and owner !!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f5.6 : 1/100" : 100mm : ISO 800: 26.11.2011 17:48:08)

Abu Dhabi at night

I had a business meeting in Abu Dhabi today, after which I decided to capture some photos of the decorated buildings in the evening. But with just one week to go before the 40th anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates, I was surprised how few decorations were up (a local told me that they leave this to Dubai, for the benefit of the tourists there !!)

The Abu Dhabi Chamber building had a continually changing display, which included the number 40 ....

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f7.1 : 1" : 40mm : ISO 400: 25.11.2011 23:07:33)

.... and the national flag of the U.A.E.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor 28-100mm f3.5 - 5.6 : f7.1 : 1" : 40mm : ISO 400: 25.11.2011 23:08:15)

The highline lights on this building also changed colour from blue ....

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f7.1 : 4" : 100mm : ISO 400: 25.11.2011 22:10:53)

.... to the national colours of red, green and white.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f7.1 : 4" : 100mm : ISO 400: 25.11.2011 22:12:00)

This is part of the Emirates Palace .... the lighting on the dome changes colour every few seconds from blue ....

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f7.1 : 4" : 200mm : ISO 400: 25.11.2011 22:09:33)

.... to yellow ....

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f7.1 : 4" : 200mm : ISO 400: 25.11.2011 22:09:52)

.... to red.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f7.1 : 4" : 200mm : ISO 400: 25.11.2011 22:09:04)