The Ras Al Khaimah Series presents a photographic exploration of the emirate’s old town, captured in 2016 using my trusted Fuji X100. The images focus on the historic district along the western side of the creek—commonly referred to as Old RAK—situated near the Al Qawasim Corniche. This area retains traces of traditional architecture and everyday life, anchored by landmarks such as the fish market and the restored Mohammad bin Salem Mosque. Unlike the highly curated environments found elsewhere in the UAE, Old RAK reveals a quieter and more unassuming urban landscape.

The photographs depict a place suspended between presence and disappearance: decaying and abandoned homes stand alongside others still inhabited, their worn surfaces and improvised adaptations speaking to a fading yet persistent history. Along the port, traditional fishing baskets and maritime traces hint at livelihoods that continue, albeit in diminished form. There is a distinct charm here—one that emerges precisely from its distance, both physical and symbolic, from the spectacle of nearby Dubai. Together, these images capture an urban environment where memory lingers in fragile structures and everyday practices, offering a glimpse into a side of the UAE that resists complete transformation.