Nature vs. Man: A photographer captured with a drone how the desert is devouring Dubai and Abu Dhabi (17 photos)

The United Arab Emirates is more than just the cool, glossy shopping malls and dazzling skyscrapers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Australian photographer Irenaeus Herok spent some time in the desert, taking drone photos. The images are stunning.

The UAE's landscapes offer a striking example of the struggle between nature and man. Once a barren land, Dubai has been built up at an incredible rate—from an unremarkable port, it has transformed into a bustling metropolis in just a couple of decades. But nature has a habit of striking back, and Irenaeus Herok captures this in his work. His aerial photographs reveal a surreal and apocalyptic world where the desert slowly devours the settlements and roads of the Emirates.





Irenis Herek specializes in landscape and portrait photography, with a background in design and fine arts. He draws inspiration from vintage paintings and cinema. His work combines traditional and contemporary elements, balancing technical precision with a unique style.

A Single Tree, Dubai.

Roundabout.