We are all guilty of it, taking a dozen selfies every single time the light hits just right, filling our camera rolls with blurry sunsets and zoomed in shots of that salad bowl, you will never scroll back to. It’s unavoidable, with phones always at the tip of our fingers many of us have forgotten the magic behind picking up a real camera, focusing on a subject and capturing with intention.
For Wold Photography Day, Canon turned to a youth workshop in Dubai to bridge the gap between just taking a picture versus photography (the art). Young creatives were challenged to share their favourite photo; the photos explore slivers of culture, identity and our unique connection to our surroundings. Every shot is a reminder that the UAE’s heritage isn’t just in the history books; it’s alive, glowing, and ready for its close-up.
1. “Stillness in the Wind” by Ahmad Bilal
Old-school Dubai meets Vogue editorial in Ahmed’s shot. A woman in an abaya stands against dreamy lattice patterns, her silhouette stark against the blue sky.
2. “Hidden Memories” by Havra Mallalan
In a moody shot, Havra lends character to plain wall through shadows and texture. If walls could talk, these vessels of memories would have tales to lend.
3. “The Warmth of Stone and Tales of Time” by Hossam Zibdieh
Fading sunlight dances on dusty streets and antique wooden doors, turning an everyday alley into an archive of everyday life. The warm yellow of the building glows next to the cold blue sky.
4. “Echoes of Memory” by Masoumeh Rahmani
Markets buzzing, shop lights flickering, and people in motion, Masoumeh bottled up the feels of old Dubai in one frame. It’s busy, it’s beautiful, and it feels like you’re right there in the heart of Al Shindagha.
5. “Back to Our Roots” by Mohamad Abdelghany
Mohamad’s layered shot blends landscapes, heritage architecture, and cultural details to remind us that identity is what surrounds us. It is a visual love letter to belonging.
6. “Echoes of the Past” by Reny Mathew
The geometric compositions of stone walls, sunlight, and shadows transform Al Shindagha’s architecture into a feature in a design magazine. Every angle and texture feels like heritage posed in imperfect symmetry.
7. “Al Shindagha Threads” by Salma Nabil
Salma captures the intricate craft of weaving with so much precision you can practically feel the threads between your fingers.
8. “Whispered Stories” by Mymun Malik
Mymun’s lens captures hand-carved details playing with its shadows. The deliberate intimate framing allows you to appreciate every carving.
Read more on photography here.