Finding his next location can prove to be a difficult task, but in true futuristic style, the wonders of Google Earth have aided him on many of his adventures. “I first decide on the location before I even pack my gear. I can either decide to go on locations I have been to before, and try to capture a different composition. If I decide to go to a new location, I first check out Google Earth for the potential views from that particular location, and the direction in which the sun sets.”
For Daniel, the next deciding factor would be light. While most photographers chase after the magical time known as the “golden hour”, a period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, Daniel opts for a more ethereal shade of light. He often awaits the “blue hour”, the time of day when the light takes on a strong blue tone, which makes its appearance after sunset and just before the moon rises. This is also the time when the city slowly plunges into darkness, allowing the night to show their colours. “In Dubai, this lasts for only 10 minutes, so you have very little time to get your shots.”
With Daniel’s theme of futurism running through his body of work, every shot is designed to have a hyper realistic feel, providing a sense of surrealism in the most powerful way. His use of digital blending also brings out the pure power of each shot. To achieve these remarkable results, he chooses a kit that includes his AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED ultra-wide-angle zoom lens and a Nikon D800 DSLR.