Women of Dubai

In the Far From Home photo series on National Geographic's website, photos of Dubai are displayed depicting various aspects of life. Out of all the photos listed, the one I found to be the most captivating was of a collection of women entertainers resting in between dances inside of a Gentleman's club. This photo was quite striking to me because of the portrayal of the women, and the relationship demonstrated between the dancers and the men of the club, and the atmosphere of the club.

Although each woman has slightly different posture from the next, there are a few commonalities that they all share. The general expression given off from each woman is one of discomfort. Upon looking at the photograph, one collects a feeling of resentment or fear from their expressions. Almost every woman is sitting with crossed arms or legs, , exhibiting tense body language. Only two out of the nine women in the photograph are looking forward while the rest are turned away from their audience. They seem as if they are determinedly focusing their gaze on something else to keep them from meeting the eyes of their customers as they try to enjoy their break. Although one woman is smiling, even she looks like her smile may not be out of happiness, but out of nervousness. The women sit very close together. Some clutch each others hands tightly while others huddle together. This body language gives off a sense of companionship exclusive to the dancers. By showing the women as if they were relying on one another, one begins to wonder to what degree of dehumanizing conditions these women are put through and how it is affecting them. From the evidence provided, one could conclude that these dancers are consequently affected by their job to such a str...

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...cers. However, the women are not reflected in a positive light. Contrary to their lavish outfits and sensual makeup , the women do not look confident. Based off of their attire, they should feel as beautiful as they look. Unfortunately, they look quite frail and insecure. Whether they actually feel that way is undetermined, but it is clear that Bendiksen used their frail appearance to make his point. Through this photograph, he categorizes women as unhappy people who work under scandalous conditions to make a living. He wants people to look at this photo, wonder what lead them to this point in their lives, and further investigate. This photo is intended to make people think. By taking an idea that can be found all around the world, women’s sexuality, and applying it to one central situation, the reader is immediately drawn in.

Works Cited

National geographic