Sunshine men vi 1

The light industrial area of Umm R a m o o l l i e s b e t w e e n D u b a i ’s i c o n i c DX B Te r m i n a l 3 , a n d I K E A’s d e e p b l u e and yellow symbol of value furniture retailing, yet this area of Dubai is far closer to the East than the West.

Eyes closed, and listening to the sounds, it is easy to imagine that you’re standing in Delhi, Mumbai or even Lahore. This is the home of the Sunshine Garage, which is nestled between a workers restaurant and another garage.

There is a quiet team of young men, mostly from Pakistan, but some from India. They industriously service and repair.

One can’t help noticing that there is a bond between this group of men, all far away from home, all from d i ff e r e n t p l a c e s , a k i n d o f E a s t e r n Band of Brothers.

Christopher is a post graduate student studying at The University of Gloucestershire.

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Christopher Osborne

The light industrial area of Umm R a m o o l l i e s b e t w e e n D u b a i ’s i c o n i c DX B Te r m i n a l 3 , a n d I K E A’s d e e p b l u e and yellow symbol of value furniture retailing, yet this area of Dubai is far closer to the East than the West.

Eyes closed, and listening to the sounds, it is easy to imagine that you’re standing in Delhi, Mumbai or even Lahore. This is the home of the Sunshine Garage, which is nestled between a workers restaurant and another garage.

There is a quiet team of young men, mostly from Pakistan, but some from India. They industriously service and repair.

One can’t help noticing that there is a bond between this group of men, all far away from home, all from d i ff e r e n t p l a c e s , a k i n d o f E a s t e r n Band of Brothers.

Christopher is a post graduate student studying at The University of Gloucestershire.

T h e

S u n s h i n e

M e n

Christopher Osborne

T h e

S u n s h i n e

M e n

C h r i s t o p h e r o s b o r n e

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The light industrial area of Umm Ramool lies between Dubai’s iconic DXB Terminal 3, and IKEA’s deep blue and yellow symbol of value furniture retailing, yet this area of Dubai is far closer to the East than the West. Eyes closed, and just listening to the sounds, it is easy to imagine that you’re standing in Delhi, Mumbai or sometimes Lahore. This is the home of the Sunshine Garage, which is nestled between a delightfully fragrant workers restaurant and another garage.

There are plenty of garages in this area, but the part owner and manager Mohammed “Hash” Hashmi has a reputation for quality, good customer service, value for money, and above all, honesty that’s hard to find in Dubai. Customers from all nationalities have followed him to this little corner of the industrial desert.

The Sunshine Garage has one small office “cum” reception area (as the Indians say). There is no queuing here. Customers sit on a sofa or chairs, and the whole affair has the mood of a club on carnival day. Hash has the role of host, and customers of all nationalities find themselves talking together. The regulars laugh and joke, but everyone is made to feel welcome.

One can’t help notice that behind Hashmi’s ever welcoming smile, and philosophical comments, there is a quiet team of young men, mostly from Pakistan, but some from India. They industriously service and repair. Parts that would simply be discarded in the West are cut, modified and rebuilt. Opening a box or plastic bag to use something new is a last resort here. Whole engines and gearboxes are rebuilt. The spray booth doesn’t just repair cars, but also transforms Arabic white 4x4’s into gleaming black motors for the African market.

Hashmi’s team are humble, yet knowledgeable, quiet, yet motivated, skilled and hardworking.

I set out to capture the story of the workforce of the Sunshine Garage, “the Sunshine Men”. In doing so, I have learnt something of their story. The technicians have been gracious enough to welcome me, and I can’t help noticing that there is a bond between this group of men, all far away from home, all from different places, a kind of Eastern Band of Brothers.

Christopher Osborne 2015

I set out on this photographic journey looking to change the way that I saw the world through my camera. In order to do that I enrolled on an MA in Documentary Photography with the University of Gloucestershire. Looking through this series of images, I can’t help but smile – I’ve certainly managed to do that. So, what have I learnt?

Firstly, I’ve become a wide angle shooter. No hiding behind a telephoto lens for me. I’m right in close, where the action is. I’ve come to understand that this helps provide both a subject for the shot, and a far greater stretch of background to provide context to the drama unfolding in front of the lens.

Next, I discovered that I love colour. Deep saturated colours, to help provide the fabric of a story. I’m regularly setting the camera to maximum highlights and shadows to increase the contrast of the shot. A bit like “thickening the negative” by deliberately slightly over-exposing in the film days.

In repeatedly going back to shoot in the same environment, I’ve learnt that I have become invisible. People no longer feel the need to pose for shots, they just carry on doing what they were doing. This has enabled me to capture far more natural scenes.

I’ve learnt that using slow shutter speeds to capture movement is a really cool technique for adding drama to a photograph.

My composition has become stronger. I find myself placing the subject off to one side, considering negative space in order to add to the story.

And finally, I’ve learnt that while there are many photographers, far, far more skilled than I, with some patient research I can learn from them, and in doing so I can improve the images I capture in my world.

Christopher 2015