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It was between thunderstorms that I finally got to share a coffee and chat with another of the Palms most unassuming but interesting characters. To most of us, the inclement weather is no more than a mild inconvenience, but to Richard Thorn it changes everything. As an internationally renowned photographer whose main passion includes architectural shots, he is the right city at the right time and the change of climate and lighting merely gives him more to work with.
‘We loved it the second that we arrived in Dubai’ he adds, referring to his wife Jane who’s’ expecting their first child next year, ‘We had hoped to go to San Francisco at one point, and a few other places popped, up but we seemed to keep coming back to Dubai as the ‘City of Choice’ and once we got here we were sold on the place straight away. That was before we even visited the Palm which was the icing on the cake.’
‘We weren’t really sure how much of the place was actually built when a friend of ours had suggested we take a look here, so we were surprised and immediately impressed the very first time we drove on here. It’s great location for us and gets better all of the time.’
‘For me, I have a studio over in Media city so the location is cool and Jane is also artistic and works as a brand designer so this end of town is ideal’
It’s almost a year since they left the cold and damp of the UK behind and Richards pretty unflinching in his admiration for the UAE. ‘yep were defiantly here for the foreseeable future-the family are all going to have to visit us once the baby arrives-but that’s OK!’
Despite his admiration for Dubai, the UK was where he really established his reputation. You may well have seen one of his many pictures for sale at ‘Conrans’ after Terence Conran himself picked them out or some of his more recent work for Vodaphone where he was commissioned to take a series of concert shots for the UK’s top musicians such as the perennial problem child Amy Winehouse, or Scotland’s favourite export Frans Ferdinand. The Kaiser Chiefs and Snowpatrol have also found themselves coming under the lens of this talented snapper but he keeps most of his rock and roll stories to himself-you never know who might be reading this!
‘I’m passionate about what I do, and so many people are enthusiastic about photography but scared to jump in, they are afraid that they might mess up or just get frustrated.’
‘I love to pass on a few of the things that I have learnt down the years and be able to help people get that little more enjoyment out of the pictures that they take.’
‘I’d like to have a photography club here where people who are interested can get together, I would be glad to offer advice and point them in the right direction. Perhaps we can all do some shots around the Palm and then maybe we can take in some of what the surrounding area has to offer-maybe a monthly trip somewhere as there are lots of cool dessert locations; there’s great wildlife here as well and everyone knows of the sports events that come here-and we haven’t even mentioned the architecture- so I am sure we could have a regular get together and capture some great shots of the fastest growing city in the World.’
Costa Coffees finest double espresso has obviously had the required effect as he springs to his feet. The weather has held off so he’s rushing off to Spinneys, never off duty you can be sure that he will be checking out locations as he goes.
Palm Jumeirah Photographers Club
Would you be interested in getting together and getting some informal help and advice from Richard?
If you're looking to improve your photo skills or you simply don't know which button does what, then come and join us at Costa Coffee Shop, Al Manhal Club House between buildings 3&4, January 17th for an informal introduction. We will then take a few snaps around the Palm and arrange a change of location in the near future for those who are interested. Click here to read more about the photo club!
