Impressions of Marrakesh

[Mikes]

My wife and I spent a few days in Marrakech earlier this year, staying in a riad inside the medina (old town). We spent most of our time there wandering around the souks of the medina, buying things we did not need. The medina is a difficult place for photography, not only because of the extremes of light and shade, but because most people there actively dislike being photographed. Despite this, its a fascinating place, with lots of colour, some good shopping and some excellent food and wine.

A few glimpses:

1) Medina skyline - nothing over 5 floors
2) On the route to our riad - undercover all the way
3) in Souk Smarine - wool dying
4) in Souk Haddadine - metal working
5) in Souk Ableuh - the spice district
6) going shopping
7) going home from school.
 

[Ann]

A most interesting peek at this ancient city.
I love your Souk shots — especially the brilliant colours of the dyed wool and the fascinating shapes of the lamps.

[Jakov Minić]

Yet another city on my bucket list.
Thank you Mike for bringing it closer.

[Mikes]

Ann and Jakov - many thanks for your comments. Marrakech is well worth a visit.

Just a couple more from inside the medina.

[Ann]

How wise not to worry about contrasty lighting but to let the shadows fall into blackness to counter-play against the sunlit textures: black-&-white style lighting for colour photography does work!

I also like the way that were sensitive to the wishes of many women in that part of the world not to have their faces shown in photographs by photographing when they were turned away from the camera but still managing to take very attractive photographs.

[Akira]

The strong contrast of prime colors characteristic in some parts of the world always attracts me, and these are excellent examples.

Glad you enjoyed the trip and thank you for sharing, Mike!

[Mikes]

How wise not to worry about contrasty lighting but to let the shadows fall into blackness to counter-play against the sunlit textures: black-&-white style lighting for colour photography does work!

Thanks again, Ann. I did attempt B&W versions of some of these and other images, but B&W simply did not work. Marrakech is all about colour, and in many cases the strong sun/shade contrasts were useful, for example, in masking less interesting elements and highlighting the elements that I was interested in.

[Mikes]

The strong contrast of prime colors characteristic in some parts of the world always attracts me, and these are excellent examples.

Thanks, Akira. I also find strong primary colours fascinating in locations where pastel or earthy colours predominate. Here is an interesting example, Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech (where Yves Saint Laurent's ashes are scattered).

[Akira]

Mike, I love this exaggerated perspective from the succulents to the clouds.  The blown-out white of the clouds and the brilliant blue make an impressive contrast.

I didn't know that the ashes of Yves Saint Laurent's are scattered there, but the blue color of the building (and the amazing doors in the second set) rather reminds me of Yves Klein.

[Mikes]

Thanks, Akira. The garden is very impressive. Apparently Yves Saint Laurent owned the garden with Pierre Bergé, his former long time partner, from 1980.

[Akira]

Mike, thanks for the info the garden.  I wouldn't be surprised that the garden gave lots of inspiration to YSL.

[armando_m]

A most fascinating place which I hope to visit

Color is quite important in this images

[Mikes]

Thanks, Armando. Yes, Morocco is well worth visiting. Ten days was not enough for us - we did not get to the coastal areas at all.

[Anthony]

How wise not to worry about contrasty lighting but to let the shadows fall into blackness to counter-play against the sunlit textures: black-&-white style lighting for colour photography does work!

I also like the way that were sensitive to the wishes of many women in that part of the world not to have their faces shown in photographs by photographing when they were turned away from the camera but still managing to take very attractive photographs.

In Marrakesh men also object to being photographed.  They can become aggressive over this.  I was berated by one man for photographing him when I had not even done so - he was not in the frame of the scene which I was shooting.  This was in the pre-digital era, so I could not even prove this to him.  It was not a pleasant incident.

Marrakesh is very photogenic, and Mike has captured this beautifully.

[Mikes]

Thank you, Anthony. I had a similar experience, but the guy was quite civil when he lectured me. I had to delete his photograph even though he was on the periphery of the image.

Some tourists do behave badly though. How to pi** off the locals: