TAKE YOUR CAMERAS OUT ON DATES

in

Abu Dhabi, UAE - 2015
I've recently acquired a couple of point-and-shoot cameras and decided to take them out on dates. I've been working with a canon ae-1 and it has been so good to me, but it felt like it needed someone who was too careful & knowledgeable in her settings. Point-and-shoots on the other hands are very practical (light and easy to use), so I didn't worry much about settings, them falling down in the car and costing me 500 dhs to repair. Either way, out of 4 new cameras, I have a favorite. These are some of my personal favorites from 3 different rolls. 

If you're looking for a nice affordable camera, that is in excellent condition, do check out this human's store. He sent me my 3 new habibis all the way from Lithuania. 

ISLAMIC ART FESTIVAL & A SNIPPET OF BASTAKIYA

in

Sharjah & Dubai, UAE - 2015
I hope I get to visit this festival one more time before it ends. Absolutely wonderful, from beginning to end. Excellently curated too. These photographs don't do any of the pieces justice, but should be motivation enough for you to go check it out. 

We're horrible when it comes to planning anything outside Abu Dhabi; we just can't get the timings right. Bastakiya (Dubai) was a must visit, and we got lost looking for a place to park. We did manage to witness this beautiful moment.

ROADTRIPS ON FILM

in ,

Sharjah & Dubai, UAE - 2015
The past couple of months, Amna and I have been on a couple of road-trips to see Dina (experience new cities and what not).

Some of these were developed from disposables and others from donna (canon ae-1). The polaroids are taken with an instax mini 90.

***


ARTHOUSE CAFE

in

Abu Dhabi, UAE - 2015
Arthouse cafe hosts one of the raddest spoken word events in Abu Dhabi. I’ve been to the events but I’ve never been here during the day and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s a very chill place to hangout in.


CAPITAL PARK

in

Abu Dhabi, UAE - 2015 
The company I’m interning in is steps away from this park. I’ve only been there once; it was at night, and a very long time ago in my teens. I definitely don’t remember it being this fresh.

Yesterday morning, I made it to work way too early, and decided to go in. A change of scenery & a desperate need for freshness.

It was around 8 AM, there was no one at the gate and it was open. A stranger told me to just walk in because it was open but I left a dirham with a note, just in case (entry fee).

It was a bit humid, but the air was incredibly fresh. I’m pretty sure I’m not being biased but it physically made me feel better. I settled at a bench, read my book and listened to music. Some humans were there doing their morning walks (mostly mothers pushing strollers whilst simultaneously power-walking). An old couple sat at a bench, with rice & bread for birds/pigeons.

A man in a sharp suit walked around, and it seemed pretty obvious that this must be where all these corporate humans around this park come to? A couple of minutes later, I notice he has a plastic bag, and he was going around the park, looking for humans that water this glorious place, giving them juice boxes & sandwiches for breakfast.

It was one of the nicest things I’ve seen in a long time.

I mentioned my little detour from work to my mother, and she asked me if I remembered this park. She set the scene to 2 decades ago, buildings weren’t as tall, towers weren’t as surreal and a 2 year old would come to this park, and play on the super tiny slides because she was too scared of swings.

Sadly, I couldn’t remember but it definitely sounded like something I would do.

***

Below, aren’t the best photos but they’re snapchats taken during these glorious refreshing af 2 hours.



MAKHBAZ ALSADEEQ

in

Abu Dhabi, UAE - 2015
One of the finest bakeries in the city, with the best Afghani bread.