A smart-photo journey to the southern tip of Africa



Carefully, I peer over the cliff edge, shifting my weight slightly and adjusting my footing; with care, I watch for loose rocks and position myself. As I cast my eyes downwards, my view sweeps away past the drop below me and follows the easy contour of the foothills below the initial precipice. My gaze follows the downwards curve and over the city, whose hum is clearly audible even from this distance, and carries on to the peninsula, bathed in crisp morning light. Beyond that, a ring of golden-blue mountains frames my perspective.

As a photographer, my first reaction is to reach for my trusty, 20-year-old Leica M6 35mm Rangefinder. Loaded with a black-and-white roll of Kodak Tri-X, I take care with each frame, measuring the light and always double-checking the focus. As I glance in the viewfinder, a figure walks into the foreground and makes me think twice about shooting the frame. A tourist, wearing a colourful backpack/bumbag combo and ill-fitting head attire, his two arms stretched in front of him, has his eyes fixed on the small screen firmly clasped between his hands. A digital click announces the capture – a precursor to the inevitable review. All this with a Dh5,000 DSLR camera hanging unused round his neck.

I’m on top of Table Mountain, looking down at Cape Town in all its spring glory on a fine, sunny South African day. The light is beautiful. Microsoft/Lumia has invited me to my hometown, where it’s hosting a selection of Middle Eastern and North African journalists on a trip to the southern tip of Africa to experience some of its new devices.

I discard the Leica frame for a moment, at least until the tourist decides to walk away. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone for the trip, a Lumia 930, which has a 20-megapixel camera, among other standout features. Unlocking the phone, I work my way through the menus and select the panorama app. With a couple of clicks, I end up with a sweeping panorama. This image is in full colour this time and ready to be shared at whim to any social-network platform of my choosing – perfect for inspiring jealousy in Facebook friends stuck in the office on a Tuesday morning.

Living in an age of unprecedented technological development has given us more choices than ever before, not just in the equipment we use to capture images but also in the ability to travel to the most far-flung corners of the globe at the click of a trackpad button. Never before have we had the chance to so fully participate in other individuals’ experiences – liking, commenting or judging them as we go. The surge in self-documentation and the ever-increasing desire to share to the masses is here to stay.

Many friends and travellers often ask me what cameras they should buy before their trips, and I often tell them the best camera is the one that’s with them – and usually nowadays, that’s their phone. The image quality of cameraphones these days is unprecedented, and it’s hard to argue a case for a DSLR when the average user can apply countless filters and effects and send the image to their friends and family within a few clicks. Coupled with the familiarity that the user has with the device, it becomes a rather easy decision on what to take along on a predawn hike or cross-country bike trip.

Ultimately, the best camera will indeed be the one that is with you and ready to use when the moment presents itself. But aspects like weight, battery power, ease of use and functionality all play a major role. Carrying a DSLR to capture that perfect moment with friends while on an island holiday might not be everyone’s idea of a good time. And with the lines blurring between taking pictures of one’s travels and travelling to take pictures, it’s tough to rival an ­ever-present device that captures great images.

Options abound in the realm of uber-portable and constantly shareable image-making devices, but the three major players currently are Samsung, Lumia and Apple.

Samsung

With a broad fan base and more than 25 million Galaxy S units sold by 2013, it's hard to beat a crowd favourite. The highly stable and ultra reliable Android OS offers users an ever-increasing array of apps through the Google Play app store. Must-have apps: ­Google Camera, Camera Zoom FX, Camera FV-5, Instagram.

Lumia

With Lumia having recently been fully acquired by Microsoft, we're seeing more and more third-party apps being released for the platform. In Nokia-like style, Lumia offers a plethora of options that might be hard to choose from in the beginning. My best advice is to decide which features you're most likely to use and then pick accordingly. The Lumia 930 offers a ­20-megapixel "Pureview" camera, ­surround-sound recording and the option to charge wirelessly. The 5-inch display allows the camera to sit comfortably in most palms, allowing easy access for one-handed use. Must-have apps: ProShot, Movie Maker 8.1, Lumia Cinemagraph, 6tag for Instagram.

Apple

The still relatively new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus pack a bold punch, with reliability and a familiar, user-friendly interface. With an app for every possible need or want and support across a wide range of products, it's the king of the hill. Features like its Retina HD display, 8-megapixel "iSight" camera, 1080p HD at 60 frames per second, 240 fps slow-mo and time-lapse video set it apart from competitors. Must-have apps: Instagram, Camera+, ­Snapseed, VSCO Cam.

An honourable mention also goes to the HTC One M8, which comes with either Android or Windows OS (user preference applies).

Some mobile-phone add-ons are so bulky that they start to erode the whole point of using your phone instead of a proper camera. But the following are some of the best accessories currently available on Amazon.

Lenses

Get hold of the Yopo Universal 3-in-1 camera lens kit for smartphones. Getting that unique view is what it’s all about. The fish-eye is great for all-encompassing bubble views, while the macro makes for great detailed close-ups of found objects. No one likes a ­poor-quality, ­digitally zoomed Instagram post.

Battery

Pick up the Anker 2nd Gen Astro Mini 3200mAh portable charger for times when you’ve been too trigger-happy and a power outlet is nowhere to be found. Constantly managing battery usage when on a trip or photographic excursion is a drag. Keep this small, lipstick-sized portable battery in your pocket for when you need it the most.

Support

The Joby JM3-01WW GripTight GorillaPod Stand firmly holds most smartphones and gives you the freedom to roam while your phone captures the moment. You can use it with a timer app or via remote triggering device to give you more visual options for your travel and creative photography.

Angles

The iStabilizer Monopod selfie stick might fall into the love-it-or-hate-it category, but there’s no denying the fact that unique angles make for interesting pictures. Use it to stick your lens into unique vantage points not usually accessible by mere ­mortals.

arobertson@thenational.ae

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20653hp%20at%205%2C400rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20800Nm%20at%201%2C600-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E0-100kph%20in%204.3sec%0D%3Cbr%3ETop%20speed%20250kph%0D%3Cbr%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20NA%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Q2%202023%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

THE BIO

Age: 33

Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill

Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.

Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?

Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet

Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

PROFILE

Name: Enhance Fitness 

Year started: 2018 

Based: UAE 

Employees: 200 

Amount raised: $3m 

Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors 

If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50