The architectural landscape is constantly changing in the UAE, and there’s very little left from my childhood. So when I photograph, I always look for the old stuff, be that a building or areas that take me back in time. The air-conditioning units in this scene reminded me of those old times, and I loved how they contrasted with the light background and blue doors. At first, I liked the emptiness of it all – the chair with no one sitting in it and the bike parked by the wall – but then people started walking by, and my perspective changed. The people gave it the feeling of movement and life. I waited for someone interesting, then this person wearing almost the same colour as the door passed, and I knew I had the shot.
* Mona Al Marzooqi, photographer
