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)

Sunset from my bedroom window

This is just one reason why I love living in Sharjah - the view of a typical sunset from my bedroom window, with the jetskis buzzing around in the foreground and Al Mamzar beach (the border between Sharjah and Dubai) in the middle distance !!!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f8 : 1/125" : 110mm : ISO 400: 21.11.2011 17:28:33)

Sharjah Jetskier at sunset

After a hectic two weeks, I had a fairly relaxing day today whilst tidying up some loose ends and archiving images, and was then able to enjoy my long walk on the beach at sunset !!

(Nikon D5000 : Tamron D 28-300mm f3.3 - 6.3 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 38mm : ISO 1600: 19.11.2011 17:44:39)

Visa renewal trip to Oman

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 10

Photos to follow soon ....

On the way home, I stopped at Business Bay Bridge.

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f11 : 15" : 18mm : ISO 200: 16.11.2011 23:01:48)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f19 : 15" : 18mm : ISO 200: 16.11.2011 23:17:05)

These are the Crown Plaza and Intercontinental Hotels.

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f11 : 4" : 34mm : ISO 200: 16.11.2011 22:54:26)

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 9

Photos to follow later ....

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 8

Because I had received another booking for today before Calvin Klein contacted me, I arranged for another photographer to cover the CK One Shock launch event for me today, whilst I drove to the Atlantis Hotel on Palm Island to collect Charlotte and Nick from New Orleans, and took them on a marathon photo tour of Dubai !!!

Here are Charlotte and Nick on Jumeirah Public Beach at sunset !!

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f13 : 1/250" : 27mm : ISO 400: 14.11.2011 17:27:42)


More photos to follow later ....

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 7

Photos to follow later ....

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 6

Photos to follow soon(ish) ....

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 5

Photos to follow later ....

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 4

This really hurt .... I was given a free Pit Lane entrance ticket to the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit today (many thanks, Ali, you're a star !!), but I had to pass it on to someone else, since it clashed with the Calvin Klein shoot :-(

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f16 : 1/90" : 35mm : ISO 800: 10.11.2011 07:40:06)


Photos to follow later ....

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 3

Photos to follow later ....

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 2

Photos to follow later ....

Calvin Klein One Shock Product Launch - Day 1

I will upload one or two of my favourite images from each day here.

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 35mm : ISO 400: 07.11.2011 21:45:22)

Just one of the many attractions for kids was a graffitti wall !!

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f4.8 : 1/60" : 30mm : ISO 400: 07.11.2011 15:54:30)

(Nikon D5000 : Sigma EX 18-50mm f2.8 : f3.3 : 1/60" : 30mm : ISO 400: 07.11.2011 17:41:15)

First Day of Eid holidays

When I went out for my walk this evening, I met Siavash who was practicing burnouts in his Camaro Z28 !!!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 80mm : ISO 400: 04.11.2011 17:03:52)

Smell that burning rubber !!!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f4 : 1/60" : 80mm : ISO 400: 04.11.2011 17:03:58)

Just around the corner, there were a large number of bikers cruising along the Corniche Road under a police escort.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 200mm : ISO 400: 04.11.2011 17:15:21)

Just how mega-cool does this guy look ?? I already have the vintage Raybans, I just need the classic Jeep, dish-dash and UAE flag !!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 160mm : ISO 1600: 04.11.2011 17:16:02)

Not as cool looking, but what a cool job in the Sharjah Police, cruising up and down in your company powerboat !!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f11 : 1/500" : 160mm : ISO 1600: 04.11.2011 17:20:31)

After the police had closed the road, the some of the bikers raced up and down oustide the Sharjah Chamber Of Commerce building whilst others watched.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/30" : 160mm : ISO 6400: 04.11.2011 18:12:36)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/30" : 95mm : ISO 6400: 04.11.2011 18:13:59)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/30" : 86mm : ISO 6400: 04.11.2011 18:14:10)

No pictures to post here yet, but I have just been selected by Calvin Klein to photograph their 10 day long CK One Shock product launch event at the Mall Of The Emirates in Dubai, running from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Monday 7th to Wednesday 16th November !! CK have a superb booth (8 metres x 8 metres in flourescent pink and green) with a graffitti wall, dancers, 3D stereo photography demonstrations, plus loads of other events to entertain people of all ages. Just a few seconds after I take a photograph, it will be shown on a large monitor display .... if you pass on your name and e-mail, your photograph will be added to the CK Facebook page, where everyone will have the chance to vote in a competition. Please come along to this event, have fun and win lovely prizes !!

Levant Product Launch Shoot

It was a long day yesterday (09:00 am to 00:30 am), but I met some fascinating people at the launch of two new product ranges for Levant Jewellery at the stunning Zabeel Saray Hotel on Palm Island, Dubai.

Sarah Abou Zeid (the Managing Director of www.woroodyandmore.com) provided some superb flower arrangements for this event.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor G 28-100mm f3.5-5.6 : f8 : 1/30" : 80mm : ISO 400: 30.10.2011 13:43:48)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor G 28-100mm f3.5-5.6 : f11 : 1/60" : 28mm : ISO 800: 30.10.2011 19:33:40)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor G 28-100mm f3.5-5.6 : f3.5 : 1/30" : 28mm : ISO 800: 30.10.2011 17:47:42)

Loree Rodkin (Michelle Obama's go-to jeweller) flew in from the USA especially to launch her range of jewellery in the UAE through Levant.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor G 28-100mm f3.5-5.6 : f4 : 1/60" : 28mm : ISO 400: 30.10.2011 10:58:57)

Annamaria Cammilli Gioielli flew in from Italy especially to launch her range of jewellery in the UAE through Levant.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor G 28-100mm f3.5-5.6 : f8 : 1/60" : 34mm : ISO 400: 30.10.2011 11:07:48)

Just a few of the hard-working employees from Levant who made this evening such a huge success.

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor G 28-100mm f3.5-5.6 : f5.6 : 1/60" : 28mm : ISO 800: 30.10.2011 21:22:58)

Sharjah Beach Jetskiers again ....

Good shot .... now try that whilst the Chevrolet is being driven down the road !!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f11 : 1/500" : 200mm : ISO 800: 29.10.2011 16:51:44)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f16 : 1/1000" : 80mm : ISO 800: 29.10.2011 17:15:08)

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 125mm : ISO 1600: 29.10.2011 17:32:07)


More jetski images to follow here tomorrow ....

I paused on my walk back along the beach to the flat to grab this shot of a father teaching his son how to fly a kite !!

(Nikon D700 : Nikkor D 80-200mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/30" : 80mm : ISO 3200: 29.10.2011 18:07:22)

Back on Sharjah Beach - Friday 28th October 2011

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f8 : 1/1000" : 200mm : ISO 800: 28.10.2011 16:19:53)

This gentleman was walking along the beach just before sunset with his granddaughter ....

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/1000" : 160mm : ISO 800: 28.10.2011 17:14:51)

.... who seemed to be afraid either of heights or my camera !!

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/1000" : 100mm : ISO 800: 28.10.2011 17:19:06)

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f2.8 : 1/1000" : 92mm : ISO 800: 28.10.2011 17:20:11)

I also saw four lovely horses being ridden alongside Sharjah Beach .... but my camera battery was empty before I could take the photos that I wanted.

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 112mm : ISO 1600: 28.10.2011 17:34:43)

Now that the weather is in the low 30s°C, these guys said that they will be there most Fridays, so I will return next week to take better photos of them !!

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 70mm : ISO 1600: 28.10.2011 17:32:31)

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 70mm : ISO 1600: 28.10.2011 17:31:52)

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 70mm : ISO 1600: 28.10.2011 17:32:56)

By the way, that spike sticking up just behind the riders' back is Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world !!

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f5.6 : 1/125" : 70mm : ISO 1600: 28.10.2011 17:32:00)

Proof that the sun does shine out of some peoples' posteriors !!

(Nikon D700 : Sigma EX 70-200mm f2.8 : f8 : 1/250" : 70mm : ISO 1600: 28.10.2011 17:33:04)