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Catching the city’s dreams through the lens
Catching the city’s dreams through the lens 24 February 2014 Dubai-based shutterbug Daniel Cheong says about his escapades as a cityscape photographer and explains why light is the key ingredient for that ideal shot. He has scaled some of Dubai’s tallest skyscrapers to capture the ideal shot, and his image of Dubai’s downtown district emerging from the early morning fog caught the eyes of millions of people around the world. So what is it that makes amateur photographer, Daniel Cheong, tick? Dubai as seen through the lens of Cheong … The city gave him the perfect environment for creating the cityscape images he loves. — KT photos by Rahul Gajjar “It’s the adrenalin rush,” he tells Khaleej Times , before openly admitting he often sneaks onto the rooftops of high-rise buildings to freeze-frame Dubai in all its glory. “I do try to get permission from the building’s management first, but that only ever works out about five per cent of the time.” And on the rare occasions when he does get caught, Cheong says he just flashes a smile. “If they catch me in the act, I tell them straight. Give me access to your building and you can have the photos.” A compromise which usually works, he says. Just for fun Despite shooting more than 70,000 shots of 14,000 different cityscape scenes around the world, Cheong, whose images have garnered more than 10 million views on the photo-sharing site Flickr, says photography is still “just a hobby”. “I’m actually a technical manager for a mobile telecommunications brand here by day. Photography is just my passion.” Snapping his camera lens at different exposures, the self-proclaimed “tech geek” uses different exposures to emphasise the visual dynamism of the world’s modern architecture. He then takes to photoshop, and using a digital blending technique, creates “perfection in terms of the visuals”. “It’s a funny thing really. Because people who have seen my work often visit the cities I capture, then get back to me saying I make it look more amazing than it really is. “I call it eye candy for the people.” The perfect environment With Dubai taking on the role of home for now, Cheong says it’s the perfect environment for creating the cityscape images he loves. And with many of his images published on social networking sites including Facebook and Flickr, it’s the perfect platform enabling his creativity to reach the masses. “My photos have been noticed by several magazines thanks to these sites. Some have even been featured in National Geographic (China), travelling magazines and airline brand publications.” Championing bright, provocative colouring in his works, the Mauritius-born photographer says it’s rare to find black and white shots in his photo collection. “I want to create that idealistic vision, and the excessive use of colour helps me achieve this.” So what’s the most important ingredient for a successful freeze-frame? According to Cheong, the camera and production equipment take a back seat when it comes to getting that right shot, describing light as “a photographers best friend”. Harsh lighting can destroy any photo, so the best time to shoot is before 8am or after 4pm he says. “It’s all about the lighting and composition. I don’t think it’s something you can learn. You either have the knack for it or you don’t.” See his works Cheong’s debut photo exhibition: ‘Dubai – Lights of Dreams’ is on display at Alliance Francaise in Oud Metha till February 26, and is showcasing 35 of his favourite Dubai stills. With prices ranging from an affordable Dh450 to Dh1,500, he says he’s happy keeping his passion his hobby for now. “It’s not about the money for me. I am happy in my job and I love doing my photography. It’s a form of escapism for me. If I turn it into my career at this point, I will have to branch out into the corporate market and I don’t want to do that.” So for now, Cheong says he’ll continue to juggle his work and hobby, despite a severe lack of sleep in the meantime. kelly@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Media must help create a harmonious world: Sultan
Media must help create a harmonious world: Sultan Afkar Abdullah / 24 February 2014 Sharjah Ruler talks about role of journalists at the International Government Communication Forum His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has urged the media to restore the spirit of humanity in people, and inculcate in them moral and cultural values. Addressing the inaugural session of the Sharjah International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2014 on Sunday, Dr Shaikh Sultan said: “Media organisations must remain vigilant and approachable, uphold work and moral values, and help create a world that safeguards public harmony.” He was speaking in the presence of esteemed leaders such as Mikhail Gorbachev, the forum’s guest of honour and former president of the Soviet Union; Felipe Calderón, former president of Mexico; and Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs. The opening speeches also featured an address by Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Centre (SMC). He said: “Two years ago, the forum was launched at a time when governments across the world witnessed sweeping political and social changes, which led to a greater interest in enhancing government communications.” “Recent studies reveal that listening, responsiveness and prompt ethically correct reaction are the first criteria for people in choosing a government. This clearly indicates that things have changed; we too must change. It is essential now for us to understand the specificities of the people and their challenge — not just deliver job, healthcare, and education opportunities. He added: “Today, we are missing an important person, Dr Abdullah Omran Taryam, who established the first printing press in the UAE and was the first voice that called for change. In my last meeting, he said that he was glad that Sharjah was moving in the right direction.” Dr Shaikh Sultan also toured the conference facilities and inspected the equipment and services provided at the venue. He also stopped by the memorial wall dedicated to the late Dr Abdullah Omran Taryam and left a message that said: “To the spirit of a good friend and companion since childhood and until the end of days, me and all your loved ones pray for your forgiveness and ask God’s blessing upon your children, who are as dear as you were to us.” The opening ceremony featured a short documentary on various people from different countries expressing the level of satisfaction with their governments, as well as their perceptions on how governments can be more connected and responsive to citizens’ needs and voices. In addition to a number of heads of government departments, members of Sharjah Executive Council and members of the Sharjah Advisory Council, the opening ceremony drew the presence of dignitaries and heads and directors of government departments and organisations, media and communications professionals from various Arab and foreign countries, and representatives of regional and international corporate and government communication departments. Themed “Different Roles … Mutual Interest”, IGCF 2014 will continue to discuss the positive impact of government communication on the relationship between governments and their audiences including citizens, government officials, private sector, public utility commissions and different media stakeholders. The first regional government communication event was organised by SMC in 2012. The forum discussed relevant communication challenges that were triggered by the socio-political occurrences in the Arab world. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Mikhail Gorbachev calls for collective leadership
Mikhail Gorbachev calls for collective leadership Afkar Abdullah / 24 February 2014 Former Soviet leader says The root cause of the unrest in Ukraine was an interruption of perestroika and of the democratic process there. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says the crisis in Ukraine has been created by the government’s failure to act democratically. Speaking at the IGCF on Sunday, as the forum’s guest of honour, he dwelled briefly on the current political situation in Ukraine where protesters took to the streets of Kiev and seized the president’s office as parliament voted to remove him and hold elections. Speaking about the social conflicts across the world, Gorbachev said: “Today, the world is a kind of turbulent sea. The tensions that have accumulated can surface in the most dramatic way — although it will be difficult to say where. In such reactions, we have seen mass uprisings in countries such as Turkey and Ukraine that underline the failure of their governments to act democratically and talk to their people. The root cause of the unrest in Ukraine was an interruption of perestroika and of the democratic process there.” Calling for change, he said: “Weak crisis management indicates lack of political initiative and courage. Leaders have been content with small steps and have failed to act in the spirit of collective leadership, which is the only workable format in today’s world. The transition to a more sustainable world is imperative. If the current elite are not able to provide leadership to pioneer this change, it is time for the new race of leaders to take their place. Today, we need to look for solutions that lead to world peace. We need global governance — it is a multi-level initiative that covers the local, national, and regional levels. We have only years and not decades to resolve this problem.” In his keynote address, Gorbachev said: “The 20th century has turned out to be the bloodiest century. Although we are living in an interdependent world, we are yet to live in interdependence. We are, therefore, seeing the consequences of this inability in political, economic and social interactions. Globalisation is the dominant reality of the world. The end of the cold war gave impetus to this globalisation.” Gorbachev criticised the way issues are being addressed: “In as much, the assumption that the current model of globalisation will see us overcome the problems of inequality is not working. In fact, we see the development of new weapons and conflicts while old conflicts remain unresolved. For instance, the economic crisis of 2008 is not over. It should have been an alarm bell – but we have not responded to it adequately; there has been no sincere shared effort.” He said globalisation would achieve equality and spread tolerance in the world; it is now encouraging Muslim countries to confront the marginalisation by the Great Powers. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
