Indoors Outdoors 5* Establishments

In a city like Dubai, dominated by towers and skyscrapers, finding a sanctuary unique and peaceful in order to escape the horrors of the working week can be a mission. Relaxation is critical when the weekend arrives, and so to Abu Dhabi we head, in search of the extraordinary, abandoning the mundane where the office work firmly remains: in the office.

Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi no longer exists. What does prevail is the interior design and spectacular architecture co-created by companies Jestico+Whiles operating from London and Prague, and Asymptote of New York.

Yas Hotel Rooftop: D3000 f/11; Exposure 1/80sec; ISO-100 Aperture Priority

Yas Hotel Rooftop: D3000 f/11; Exposure 1/80sec; ISO-100 Aperture Priority

Underneath the hotel’s sparkling canopy, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi (as it is now known) offers a covetable amalgam of city sophistication and jet-setting island glamour.  Just look at these day-beds!

And so the lobby, below: some detail.

The general principles to getting the perfect interiors shot include shooting around f/6.3 to allow good depth of field and shooting at a low ISO to avoid noise. But remember this: lighting is key. To start, first turn on every light in the space. This adds depth and color variance to the scene. You want your lighting to be transparent, and you want people to know it’s there, but you don’t want them to be able to figure out how you did it. Your goal is natural-looking lighting across the whole frame.

Yas Hotel Lobby: D3000 f/4.5; Exposure 1/60sec; ISO-400 Aperture Priority

Yas Hotel Lobby: D3000 f/4.5; Exposure 1/60sec; ISO-400 Aperture Priority

Next tip: Shoot into a corner or corridor, not onto a wall.

Shoot into the corner of a room to make the space appear larger. Go a step further by shooting from a low position and a with a wide lens, but not too wide to avoid distortion. Finally, let the interior tell a story. The following image captures the hotel’s personality and showcases its true character: an ultra-sleek modern establishment, with a calming and sophisticated interior to complement the riotous speed of the Grand Prix, on its door step. Hone in on unique light patterns or quirky architectural details that complete the story.

Oh and by the way, get back out on those day beds! Its time for a snooze…

Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi Corridors D3000 f/4.5; Exposure Time 1/15sec; ISO-200 Manual

Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi Corridors D3000 f/4.5; Exposure Time 1/15sec; ISO-200 Manual

 

About Alice

I run, I jump, I sing, I dance. Whether climbing trees, walls or stairs I do it at a clip. When out, my date is always Trusty Nikon (who never lets me down in the attire stakes; so smart in his black, with a pop of red!). Where does it lead, this love affair of mine? Well, its lead me to Dubai, via the matrimonial aisle, thanks to a gorgeous husband who whisked me from Coogee beach, Sydney into the Arabian Peninsula - to my new home, Dubai. I am a freelance writer and photographer and my wish is to snap away, to scribe and to share it all with you. Enjoy.
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