It was just this past week, a number of years ago, that I climbed the Burj Khalifa Tower in Dubai. Some folks on Facebook mentioned it as a reminder. Many thanks to them! It’s the tallest building in the world, soaring over a half mile into the superheated skies of the desert. It has the most floors of any structure–163. It has the highest night club, the highest restaurant, and the highest fireworks display on the planet. It has over 24,000 windows.
The very first time I went to the amazing, implausible city of Dubai, I shot helicopter views of the Burj Khalifa being built. Little did I know at the time, I would eventually have some history with this astounding structure.
I had climbed the antenna on the North Tower of the original Trade Center buildings in NY. I also had numerous adventures up on the mast of the Empire State, and the lovely turrets atop the Queensboro Bridge, not to mention walking the cables of the Verrazano. Thanks to an introduction by Mohamed Somji of GPP in Dubai, I began talks with the Burj. It took a while, but they eventually okayed the climb, during which I was accompanied by their regular climbers, the talented duo of Mick Flamson and Johnny Salvador.
It’s an engineering marvel, the winner of countless awards, accolades and superlatives, but, when it comes to climbing to the top, it’s old school. Rung after rung, inside a closed tube, heated by the Middle Eastern sun, for (guessing here) 100 plus meters or so. Along the rungs, there is graffiti. One stands out in my memory. “My body gave up here.”
Once atop, the main thing to so is get outside “the bucket” either by standing on the railings, or hopping over the side and letting yourself be “slacked out” as I would call back to Mick, operating the ropes, slowly letting me leverage myself backwards in space, pushing against the side of the structure. You can’t photograph that which you are standing on particularly well, so any working distance you can manage to create is a good strategy.
Nice views, to be sure, but it was the picture of my feet, clad in worn out Ecco boots that got lots of attention. It ran everywhere, and got picked up, legitimately and illegitimally, all over the place. Even made the “Comedy” pages on the Huff Post.
Many thanks again to Mick and Johnny, and Mo and Hala from GPP. At the end of the day, it was really about getting my camera in a different place, which is something I heard once…..
Views from the climb over on our YouTube channel!
More tk….
These photos of Dubai are certainly awe inspiring and even more so coming from someone who is afraid of heights. I have to be creative on the ground! I admire your sense of risk and adventure, afterall, we do what we can do to get the shot! 😉
Hi Joe, we’ve discussed this a couple of times in recent years.
It never ceases to amaze me that you actually capture images while standing atop these tall structures.
I think I get the ‘colly-wobbles’ for you.
Currently Colin and I are enjoying a daily dose of your CreativeLive sessions, firstly enjoying the NYC evening shoot, when you have Annie with you (we just love her!) and then moved to the studio session with Lynn (who is an absolute biz knowledge guru), and relearning a lot that we forgot.
Keep well Joe, we hope to meet up some time in our futures when you able to visit the UK once again.
Best regards and say ‘Hi’ to the ladies (Annie & Lynn)
Aerobatics, cat launches, arrested landings in Navy jets – No problem. Parasailing – piece of cake. Zip-lining – child’s play. Standing on the edge of a tower a half mile up… how big is the paycheck?
Thank you very much for sharing this amazing experience. I really admire your photographic work. Greetings from Mexico.
Great pix Joe. I might have climbed it when i was younger. But i like the ground more now. Still great photography. Be well.
I hear ya, William. I did an antenna climb in Manhattan 3 years ago, and it doesnt’ get easier.
Greetings back to you! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
I hear ya!!!
Thank you so much, Paul! Appreciate it. Annie sends best. We hope for the UK this fall, all things being returned to some version of “normal.” Until then, stay safe!
Thank you Susane! It’s a fun thing to do, just occasionally, going up these buildings.
I remember this well as I still want to try it myself, I wonder if the Burg lets photographers book a slot every so often. How much time did it take you to get permission.??
Great finding your blog and seeing this. I remember you discussing this during one of your classes I took. It freaked me out then. Seeing the photos and video is awing. Still makes my stomach flip and my knees weak.. Thanks for sharing. Awesome photos
Hi Simon…it took three years.
What a great experience Joe, I’ve always wanted to go somewhere really high and just look down and feel free. Till now I haven’t have the guts to do so, but maybe some day.
Breathtaking!