Zaki Qutteineh
Photography

Let’s face it, capturing photographs that represent a historical era is a challenge. Not only would you need to stay true to the styling, makeup & hair, but also to the aesthetics, props, colours, tones & overall photographic mood. With our talented Fashion Stylist handling the wardrobe styling, and our Makeup Artist’s team handling the makeup & hair, it was my task to focus on the other remaining elements, mainly location, scenarios & lighting. This shoot revolves around t

There was one concept I had been planning to shoot, the only thing holding me back was that I didn't possess the right resources to execute. I wished to create a towering character, one standing high & proud on ground. I already had an idea of how to achieve this effect, however I was still looking for a long gown, with fabric that stretches beyond the feet. I also needed a location that adds more depth & interest to the image. A disussion with my preferred model bore fruit;

Capturing compelling & strong images doesn't come easy; it requires planning, education, experimentation & sometimes going out of your way to achieve what you envision. When I captured this following image, I was residing in Jazirat al Hamra - RAK. There was this patch of long wild grass that was growing a short walk from my building entrance. It had caught my attention, and I knew it was a matter of time before I came up with a concept that works for the location. At a shopp

This next concept shoot was 'more fun, less effort' compared to the previous one. 'Why' you ask? Perhaps I forgot to mention that we had to drag ourselves across the desert for 300m to get to a spot we thought would be perfect for the shoot ... all that while carrying the photography gear & makeup set. Ok, back to this shoot. So, I wanted to create a wacky beauty concept ... & what better way than to have the model dressed up in a straight jacket? Luckily, hunting for an a

Isn't it fascinating how much Adobe Photoshop has advanced since its first release? Well, we now hear the word 'photoshopped' quite often ... and for good reason. Images are manipulated, composited and retouced in all various manners; some to alter reality & some to add an element of fantasy. But regardless of our stand on the ethical use of manipulation & altering of reality, I would say the elements of fantasy, surrealism & imaginative editing are limitless & beautiful. As

By the time I got my hands on the Sony Alpha 7r, it was apparent to me that I had lost interest in tightly cropped portraits; I wanted to show more of my subject than just the face. The only thing stopping me during the Canon years was the fact I was unable to get enough details on my subject when shooting full length, and even though I wasn't expecting the viewers to zoom in on said photos, i still didn't feel at ease. I wanted more pixels, sharper images, higher dynamic ran

To say I created a shockwave among my photography friends here in Dubai would be an understatement! It didn't make sense then, even now some find it hard to believe that an avid photography enthusiast such as myself would let go of one of the higher-end Canon cameras in favor of a new compact untested mirrorless Sony. Indeed, it was a risk, and one I proudly admit. I had been a Sony fan ever since my first Playstation console, and even though I didn't base my decision to swit