15 beautiful photos of Dubai Creek's souqs on a summer evening

Even during the hottest time of year, the city's streets come alive at night

Summer nights are a wonderful time to hit the streets of Dubai and experience the city in a different light.

The National photographer Chris Whiteoak recently visited the Creek area of Old Dubai in Bur Dubai and Deira (aka, both sides of the Creek) for a glimpse of the colourful district as it springs to life after the temperature drops in the evening.

While the daytime heat doesn’t necessarily stop residents from venturing outside, in the evening is when the streets light up and are flooded with shoppers and friends socialising in the souqs across the tight-knit neighbourhoods. Neon lights advertise goods and services, and delicious food fills the air with scent, which all adds to the sensory experience.

“I love being able to capture people at their most natural, not posing and not doing anything extravagant except living,” says Whiteoak, who points out that the contrast of dark silhouettes and bright light makes for striking images.

For those interested in trying their hand at night-time photography, Whiteoak recommends fast shutter speeds for sharp images, but also experimenting with slower speeds to achieve interesting movement and colour. 

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Read more:

Timeframe: Queen Elizabeth II's royal experience on the Dubai Creek

Keeping dogs cool in the UAE summer - in pictures 

Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi's mission to celebrate Sharjah's unsung architecture 

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