A nationwide photography initiative by Huawei and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is highlighting lesser-known views of the UAE, with Ras Al Khaimah emerging as one of the key destinations featured in the project.
The “The UAE. A Closer Look” initiative was developed in partnership with tourism authorities across all seven emirates. It followed the “Proud of UAE” campaign launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which focused on the country’s people, heritage and national identity.
The project brought photographers to different parts of the UAE to document locations and experiences beyond the country’s better-known landmarks. In Ras Al Khaimah, the photographers explored the emirate’s combination of mountains, desert, coastline, heritage sites and modern resorts.
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority supported the project by providing access to several attractions and experiences. The emirate is home to Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain, as well as the world’s longest zipline. Its landscape also includes fishing harbours, mangrove areas, beaches, desert reserves and historic sites.
The photography itinerary covered a number of locations, including the heritage waterfront at Corniche Al Qawasim and the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Masjid. Photographers also visited The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert, Rove Al Marjan Island, Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort and the lagoons of Mina Al Arab.
The day ended at Banan Beach, where photographers captured the sunset over the Arabian Gulf.
HIPA guided photographers through nine XMAGE Awards categories, including So Far So Close, Colour and Shade, Good Night, Faces, Action and A Heartwarming World. The aim was to present each emirate through individual visual stories rather than simply documenting tourist attractions.
Photographers used Huawei’s Pura 90s Series smartphones throughout the journey. The devices feature a 200MP Ultra Large Sensor Telephoto Camera designed to capture distant subjects and fine details. Huawei said AI Glare Removal was particularly useful under the UAE’s intense sunlight, while AI Composition 3.0 helped photographers select compositions in changing environments.
The phones also feature scene optimisation and a second-generation True-to-Colour Camera, which were used as photographers moved between waterfronts, desert landscapes and coastal locations. RAW photography provided additional flexibility for post-production.
The resulting images aim to capture the range of Ras Al Khaimah’s landscape, from mountain and desert scenery to lagoons and beaches, while encouraging visitors to explore the emirate beyond its most familiar attractions.
