Manny Fajutag is a helicopter technician with Global Aerospace Logistics by profession, but has an eye for the photographic detail. A photograph from a holiday back home in the Philippines last May was chosen as a winner at the Sony World Photography Awards. The 39-year-old talks about his hobby.
How did you come upon photography?
It started three years ago when I moved to Abu Dhabi from Dubai. Before I had a point-and-shoot camera, but later I got a DSLR [digital single-lens reflex camera] with changeable lens. I discovered photography when I bought the camera, to explore all the settings, and by reading photography books. I also bought tutorials from Abu Dhabi stores.
What is the story behind the winning photograph?
I took the photograph during a family vacation in Sibuyan, a part of Romblon [province]. We were going back home from a waterfall in the area and it was already 5.30pm. We boarded a passenger jeepney [a bus], passing the road of Azagra, and it had terrific dust. I was sitting on the right side of the jeepney and saw the beautiful sky. I have a Nikon D4 and a Sony NEX-5N. I used the Sony as the Nikon camera is too big. I had set the camera in the aperture priority mode because I wanted to capture all the details, the mountains and the road. The jeepney was moving very fast and I knew if I missed it, I can't capture it any more. I extended my hand out of the window and shot three shots.
And then?
I chose the best one and submitted it to Sony World Photography Awards 2013 in June. I am not a premium member and so I could submit only three pictures. The other two pictures were about still life and people, and were shot with the Nikon. The picture from the jeepney won the Sony A-77 Travel category and first place in the Sony A-99 Philippine national award.
Where do you usually take pictures in the UAE?
Sometimes when I go out with my family to [the] Corniche or the Mina area. I like shooting landscapes, macros and still life. Sometimes when it is too hot to go out, I shoot at home, something experimental such as with balloons and water drops.
Does the hobby contribute to your work-life balance?
It's a matter of balancing time.
How would this award, which will take you to London for four days from Wednesday change your photography?
I still cannot believe I have won it, because it is worldwide and there are so many professionals and I am an amateur.
How much do you spend on it?
It's so expensive. All my gadgets and cameras are Nikon brand and it is expensive. My list is complete except for a 600mm lens because it costs Dh25,000 [US$6,806]. I have to think not twice buy six times. I bought a Nikon D4 for Dh27,000 at Gitex and so got a free lens worth Dh10,000. And to think of it, the winning picture was taken on a Sony.
ssahoo@thenational.ae
TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Stage result
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8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
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10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
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Tree of Hell
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
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Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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