When a Delayed Flight Became a Photography Opportunity
A 24-Hour Adventure in Dubai
When a Delayed Flight Became an Unexpected Photography Opportunity
A 24-hour flight delay in Dubai turned into one of the most unexpected photography adventures of my trip. From haggling for shorts in 40-degree heat to capturing the Burj Khalifa at sunset without a tripod, here's how a travel mishap became a creative opportunity — and what I learned along the way.
It was raining in Ireland as I waited for the bus to Dublin Airport. The rain wasn't unusual — it's Ireland, after all — but the adventure ahead of me was anything but ordinary. I was off to Namibia to meet up with Brendan and lead a workshop, with a route that seemed simple enough: Dublin to Dubai, Dubai to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Windhoek.
Simple, right?
Not quite. The first flight was delayed. And if there's one thing I've learned about travel, it's that a delayed first flight has a ripple effect that follows you all the way to your destination. I was supposed to be on a connecting flight from Dubai to Johannesburg. Instead, I found myself at the airline desk, asking about a hotel for the night.
The result? A 24-hour layover in Dubai — one of the most unexpected photography opportunities I've ever had.
The adventure begins — Dublin Airport, rain, and all.
The First Challenge: 40 Degrees in Jeans
Let's start with a fun detail. I arrived in Dubai wearing jeans and a hoodie. It was somewhere between 35 and 40 degrees outside. And it was humid. Very, very humid. I was sweating before I'd even left the airport.
Thankfully, I've been around the block enough times to know a solution when I see one. I found a shop, haggled for some shorts, and walked out feeling like a new man. I love haggling — any opportunity to haggle, I'm in. I haggled the Jesus out of those shorts.
With the shorts situation sorted, I felt a lot more confident. I had my cap, my sunglasses, and a newfound sense of freedom. The game plan was simple: get to the gym (because I needed to run off the stress of the delay), eat some lunch (complimentary, which is always a bonus), and then head out to photograph Dubai.
Dubai Airport — not where I expected to be spending the next 24 hours.
The hotel room — my base for the unexpected adventure.
Dubai — hot, humid, and absolutely spectacular.
The Mission: The Burj Khalifa at Sunset
There are a few iconic shots in Dubai, and the Burj Khalifa is at the top of the list. I had a few locations in mind, but I had one major problem: I didn't have my tripod. It was in my main bag, checked in for the next flight. No tripod, no filters, just me, my camera, and a determination to make it work.
I found a spot with an angle I loved — one where you could see both sides of the Burj Khalifa, with that sharp point right in the middle. The view was absolutely stunning. The building just seems to go up and up and up. It's absolutely bananas.
And then I got lucky. The conditions were perfect, and a bit of colour started to catch in the sky. I had about 15-20 minutes before the sun would set, and I was ready.
The Burj Khalifa at golden hour — the light was absolutely magic.
No Tripod, No Problem
Without a tripod, I had to think on my feet. I found a railing that worked as a makeshift stabiliser. I used an empty water bottle to prop up my camera. I rested it on bins, on walls, on anything I could find. It wasn't perfect, but it worked. And honestly? There's something liberating about being forced to improvise. You stop worrying about the perfect setup and start focusing on the composition, the light, the moment.
I even tried something I'd never done before: vertical panoramics. I've done horizontal panoramics plenty of times, but never vertical. It was a test, an experiment, and I was really hoping it would work out.
Vertical panoramic — a first for me, and it worked beautifully.
Black and white — super contrasty and full of drama.
The Results
I'm absolutely thrilled with how these images turned out. There's one in particular — a single frame with the Burj Khalifa glowing in the golden light, a boat in the water adding scale — that I'm especially proud of. It almost looks like a painting.
And the vertical panoramic? It worked! There's some distortion in the processing, but for a first attempt, I'm delighted. The black and white version is super contrasty and full of drama. What I love most about these images is the story behind them. They weren't planned. They weren't part of the itinerary. They were the result of a flight delay, a bit of improvisation, and a willingness to make the most of an unexpected situation.
Blue hour — the perfect balance between ambient and artificial light.
Using foreground elements to frame the scene.
Dubai at night — all spectacle, all wonder.
The Blue Hour
As the light dipped and the sun officially set, the city began to transform. The artificial lights started coming on, and the blue hour gave me a whole new set of opportunities. For me, this Burj Khalifa image is a very good example of what blue hour photography can be when it comes to photographing cityscapes. The balance between the ambient light and the artificial light is just perfect.
I wandered around a bit more, finding different compositions. The dandelion-like flowers made for a nice foreground frame, encapsulating the whole scene. And the railing that I used as a makeshift tripod? It's right there in the foreground, leading the eye through the frame.
Blue hour — when the city comes alive with light.
What I Learned from a 24-Hour Detour
This whole experience reminded me that sometimes the best adventures are the ones you don't plan for. I would have loved to have my tripod, but the limitations forced me to be more creative. I would have preferred to be on time for my Namibia workshop, but the delay gave me a memory I'll treasure forever.
Dubai was spectacular. The building is mind-blowingly impressive, and the city itself is a photographer's playground. I never thought Dubai would be high on my bucket list, but I am so, so glad I got to spend a day there.
And the cherry on top? I got to share it all with you.
Ready for Your Own African Adventure?
Whether it's Namibia, Botswana, or somewhere else entirely, I'd love to have you along for the journey. Small groups, real locations, and a focus on the art of seeing.
Explore Namibia Workshops →