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Amid the global debate on the safe use of drones in every possible sector – agriculture to national security and fast-paced films – the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF 2019) organised a ‘Drone Flying’ workshop yesterday (Monday) targeting participants aged 17 and above.

It took place at the ‘Youth Station’ at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre (JRCC), and educated the UAE’s youth about how these unmanned aerial objects can be used safely and creatively for photography.

Emirati technology expert, Obaid Musabih led the workshop. He talked about how this fascinating tool for aerial photography has completely revolutionised the filmmaking landscape globally, offering more upcoming cinematographers the opportunity to easily capture footage that would otherwise require expensive equipment like helicopters. The workshop trainer also demonstrated ways in which a drone can be used to capture high-quality aerial photos and videos, and told students to keep track of innovations in camera technology, saying they will continue to have a significant impact on the use of drones in shooting and visual storytelling.

He also took participants through the evolution of drone use, which began as a hobby for most, and eventually, started attracting interest from both government and industry in the UAE. Musaibh highlighted the concrete steps the UAE has taken in the past few years to bring in stricter procedures for using drones in the country, with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)’s United Arab Emirates Drone Regulations. He emphasised to the workshop’s young participants the need to follow the UAE protocol for flying drones for their own and the nation’s safety – starting with getting their drone registered with GCAA.

Painting with light workshop by Nikon

Another youth-focused workshop focused on the technically-driven style of light painting photography. Led by Nikon expert, Joanna, who hails from the Philippines, the packed workshop was attended by students from the Happy Home English School in Sharjah.

Interested in developing their camera and photography techniques, this group of young girls scouted the workshop themselves and requested their school to bring them to it. The workshop began with the teaching of basic photo-capturing techniques and graduated to trying out the photo illustrations and effects setting, as the young participants continued to discover new functionalities and tricks on the cameras provided to them by Nikon for this interesting workshop.

After this interactive and well-rounded warm up sessions enthused the girls with the confidence they needed to take on the big challenge, lights went off and the light painting workshop commenced. Through a comprehensive and interactive session, Nikon – an educational sponsor of SIFF – showed these young photography enthusiasts the techniques of capturing artistic photos using lights.

Over the course of the film festival, the Youth Station will be buzzing with activity where photography and media arts enthusiasts can hone their understanding and skills across a variety of interesting topics like digital drawing, portrait photography, mobile videography, 3D drawing, and more.