Down by The Creek.
I have just returned from ten days working in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai. I have been a few times before to Dubai but only fleeting visits and always confirming my feeling that it’s a soulless monstrosity cluttering an otherwise pristine desert. This time because of the work I was doing I had more opportunity to engage with its population and this gave me pause for thought.
I was born in London and was always proud of our multi-cultural diversity and have sadly watched at safe distance this heritage eroded and denigrated, myth and falsehoods perpetuated by fake news and fascist firebrands. I have lived as a migrant in the Middle East, a landscape torn apart by competing empires and paying the price to this day, my faith in humanity never wavers but is constantly tested, the era of Brexit and rise of the populist sodomizers intent on divide and rule and profit before morality the most depressing of tests.
Could there be a more multi-cultural society than the UAE? Yes, the shiny mega-projects were built on exploitation amounting to modern day slavery and obscene discrimination but for all the failings the overriding asset the Emirates has to offer is its vast migrant resource. Over the course of my visit I probably met around half a dozen Emiratis and they were without exception, warm, friendly and very welcoming but everyone else was from everywhere else, I met Brits and Americans, Australians and Romanians, Pakistani, Indian and Kashmiri, Russian and Ukrainians, Syrians, Jordanians, Egyptians, Afghans, Zimbabweans, Thai, Filipino and Korean, many were the second generation of mixed expat marriages.
Sure it was still only a short visit and its never enough to fully understand the complexities of any society but it did leave a lasting impression, not just the warmth and friendliness I was shown at every juncture but also the support and understanding shown to each other, the Russians working alongside Ukrainians, the Indians with the Pakistanis.
Without stoking the fires of fear, humanity is doing just fine.
These random portraits were shot quickly between assignments in the busy Gold Souk and port alongside Dubai Creek.
If you have enjoyed this post and would like to support my work then Buying me a coffee would be brilliant
If you are interested to see what work I was doing in the Emirates you can check out my website: John Wreford Photographer
Istanbul based freelance travel, commercial and corporate photographer covering the Middle East and Balkans.
John Wreford Photographer 
I first visited Dubai in 1962 and again on and off through the 1960’s. Took my wife there in 2016 – what a difference :- o)
Wonderful ! Liked and shared. Thank you, John. Enjoy.
https://twitter.com/outosego/status/1169506097503322112
Awesome series
Thanks Michael
Appreciate you stopping by
Much appreciated my friend
Thank you
Your optimism and faith in humanity is heartwarming. And the pictures as usual are inspiring Thank you. My day begins well.
Thank you Basia 🙂
I hope my city is looking after you x
Great shots John. Having lived in Dubai for 5 years in (2008 to 2013), I can say the Creek area is my fav. Like you, the tall shiny glass and aluminium facades are not my thing. Nice post.
Thank you Michael
Those images of your from Sri Lank look enticing
Thanks for sharing this and being authentic about your feelings. From your experience did this diversity of people of different ethnicities share a common religion? Are they mostly Muslim?
Thank you.
They are expat workers and come from many backgrounds of faith, religion and culture. While in some cases it would be easy to say some are Muslims it would not be fair to assume based only on ethnicity since that rules out the many secular.
Terrific images and accompanying text. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much
A breath of fresh air. A perfect way to start the day. Thank you. And of course, the photography is spot on.
Thank you Michael
I love your soft pastel abstract landscapes-stunning
https://www.amagaphoto.com/portfolio/C0000FrL4JChJdck/G00002Agt1FWWkdg
Your photos are wonderful, your message heartening. Thank you!
Thank you so much Susan
Be nice to see your blog up and running 🙂
These are wonderful portraits and your words gave me a much-needed boost. Especially this sentence: “Without stoking the fires of fear, humanity is doing just fine.”
Thank you, John.
Haha 🙂
Thank you Tracy
Interesting portraits and observations, eye-catching shots. 😊 I’m happy to hear humanity is doing fine, after all, in at least one corner of the world. But… where are the women?
Thank you.
Actually this was an incredibly rushed project, it wasn’t planned and only shot between assignments I was working on. The shots were made in one Souk which is predominantly male, there are though plenty of women around in other areas of work and for sure would have added immeasurably to the project. During my work I did meet some very inspiring women including the first women to take a management position at Abu Dhabi port a traditionally male role. Its not all bleak despite the very obvious issues for women in the Middle East which I am in no way defending
love these portraits– you have captured the essence of each person–
Thank you Kathy
There were all so willing subjects, was rushed but great fun and am happy with the results
A very interesting commentary. I feel pleased never to have stepped from Dubai airport. Too sad to see what greed can do to the deserts and man. Great photography.
Thank you very much.
I agree Vivienne. Greed is a scourge.
Enjoyed the photographs and the article, would like to point out, Kashmiris are Indians.
Thank you
Point taken 🙂
Very interesting observations. Both visually and in writing.
Much appreciated-thank you 🙂
An excellent well-written post which proves that you only find the gems when you dig a little deeper.
Thanks James
Yes I agree, you always need to scratch beneath the surface and see what you can find.
I hope the unconventional life is treating you well ?
these are such powerful images
Thank you so much 🙂
I hope life in Pakistan is treating you well?
It did while i was there but I’m based out of nepal now 🙂
What an interesting life you are living. I do daily work to end the dark that sustains this agenda of separation, racism, war, exclusion, economic slavery.
Thank you Kate
Your work is much needed-well done.
My life is a direct result of the agenda you mention in one way or another
Glad to hear that John!
Thanks for the support!
Katelon
Awesome portraits! I have been to Dubai several times and love the place
Thank you so very much 🙂
What a beautiful and thoughtful post, John. I lived in Oman, right next door to UAE, for two years, and visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi each. I too thought Dubai a soulless place, but the people are everything, aren’t they? And I agree with your political sentiments wholeheartedly. 🙂
Thank you so much.
Good or bad a fascinating part of the world to live.
Not sure if you spotted my Oman post from a while back : https://johnwreford.wordpress.com/2014/08/08/modest-and-modern-on-the-road-in-oman/
Just returned from a second visit and hoping another again if I can swing it
Thank you for sharing this link with me, John. I enjoyed your apt encapsulation of Oman. My blog from those years is way too long for anyone to read at this point, but if you’d like to check it out, it’s here: https://catbirdinoman.wordpress.com/
I look forward to seeing more of your work. 🙂
UAE is indeed a vibrant place so full of life. I am living here since 2000, lot of things have changed but the spirit of harmony.
I hope its treating you well?
Yes my first visit was about ten years previously and things have moved at lightning speed it seems
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Nice portraits!
Thank you so much Sharon.
Loved your Monsters with curlers 🙂
Life! What a beautiful display of life! Thank you for sharing 🌸
Life indeed.
Thank you Andrada 🙂
Nice to see your work in the place I call home now 😉
Thank you.
I hope life in Dubai is treating you well?
I have spent the summer hopping in and out of Gulf countries, not the most fun I have had but very interesting nonetheless.
You can find some of my work here if you are interested : Corporate Photography in the Middle East
Great photos of these guys.
Thank you 🙂
They were great fun to photograph
Very cool. I learned something new! I live in Texas, USA. I’ve traveled to Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, and all over Europe. The friendliest people were the Mexicans. Even those who had very little, celebrated life and family continuously. My runner up would be California. Everyone there is so happy! Maybe due to the perfect weather and the sheer beauty all around. But I think it also has something to do with their government. Yes, taxes are high. But it shows! Roads are in perfect condition. Public land is beautifully landscaped. No abandoned buildings. No tacky neon signs. No trash. No crime. State run healthcare that actually works! Wonderful benefits like extended paid maternity leave. I doubt anyone goes hungry there. I’m ready to move there!
Thank you Moody Mum
You convinced me-think maybe I will move there too!