Travel photography
My 10 favourite pictures from Jordan and Oman
Kuoni Destination Management shootings are planned months in advance. Our specialists in the respective countries prepare the photo shooting schedule in detail, mostly lasting for four weeks. At the same time I do a lot of Internet research in order to have an idea of the country and to plan new photography motives.
Once I arrive at the destination, everything is perfectly prepared. I have been working in tourism for 20 years and I have never yet had a client like Kuoni Destination Management, with such high quality standards and professionalism. If I would not have to take photos once at the destination – I could really call it a holiday.
Here are my 10 favourite pictures that I took in my trip to Jordan and Oman, organised by Desert Adventures.
Thomas Kalak, photographer
Number 1 - Oman. This photo was taken at a cattle market. I secretly took pictures of the merchants in their traditional clothes. I particularly like this picture as the strong expression of the young boy is completed by colourful and graphical elements. The traditional hat has a strong focus and the white light completes the picture perfectly.
Number 2 - Jordan. If I would see a travel agent advertising to come to the desert with this photo – I would immediately pack my bags. This picture symbolises much more than any other holiday image of beaches, people, monuments etc. It is a trip to yourself, the search for honesty and reality, the foreign and the far, the nullity of our existence and our problems. And last but not least: nice weather.
Number 3 - Salalah, Oman. Several visitors were standing on a hill wanting to witness the sunset. It was there and I suddenly saw this lady in a traditional cape, also in black. Both form distinctive features in the landscape.
Number 4 - Oman. For such a photo one needs three things: a top location, a model and a super service on spot. I found this place in Oman and I immediately knew that much more could be done in this location. But I had no model. Hence I convinced an employee of Desert Adventures in Oman and we returned to this waterhole. I explained what he had to do and: voilà!
Number 5 - Salalah, Oman. On my travels I am always lucky to be working with excellent professionals. My drivers and guides have been in their jobs all of their lives and know everyone and everything of their country. In Salalah, in the South of Oman, I had a driver who constantly commented all the things that were going on in the country and in a few hours, I knew all it was needed of Oman. He liked gesturing with his hand in front of my camera to make his point.
Number 6 - Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman. I love the glistening bright light and the colourful plainness.
Number 7 - Oman. Portrait of a food merchant. It is worth to have a good driver who knows many people. This way you meet interesting faces, which you are allowed to photograph.
Number 8 - Oman. I took a picture of my driver as he was taking a cigarette break.
Number 9 - Petra, Jordan. Only a few metres away where the movie “Indiana Jones” was filmed. The stone formations reminded me of the stage in “Star Wars”.
Number 10 - Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat, Oman. Once again I was able to use my Desert Adventures driver, who was not only an excellent guide, but also a model.
About the photographer – Thomas Kalak
Thomas Kalak has worked for Kuoni since 2007. He has already released several awarded books like ‘Weltstücke’ , a collection of souvenirs. He has also produced exhibitions, the last one called “Bangkok cable ways” at the Picasso Museum in Münster, Germany.
Thomas Kalak's website