Algeria, decades ago Photo

Photographer’s Note

After posting a number of recent pictures from India, I take another step back in time to the pre-digital era.
In September 1975 I made a tour of Algeria; the very first time I visited Africa.
This picture is from the main market square in the city of Ghardaïa in the northern part of the Sahara desert. Ghardaïa is the major settlement of the M'Zab valley, about 500 km south of Algiers, populated for hundreds of years by a religious sect claiming to be followers of the purest kind of Islam.
In the valley are several small towns, most of them within walking distance from Ghardaïa, protected by walls and built in a charachteristic architectural style.
This was scanned from a Kodachrome slide.

bukitgolfb301, saxo042, mikolaj_kawa, M_yOOs, fanni, hispic, Glint trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

SteveH (3951) 2009-04-28 3:25

Hi Gert, another great shot from your archives. Colours, textures, clothes and the wares offered for sale are very evocative of north africa. The shot is nicely balances with the man on the left and rugs on the right. cheers, Steve

boa (1400) 2009-04-28 4:21

Hej Gert,
I really like to see your old photos. I don`t know how much has changed at this location since 1975, but probably it is still the same style ?
I also think that the man on the left fits in well in the photo, both in composition and color.
Ha en bra dag.
Boa

mafegan (4369) 2009-04-28 7:00

Hello Gert
Another street scene which gives us a bit of an idea of daily life in Ghardaia - 34 years later it is probably unchanged. The colours have been retained in the slide and the scan looks pretty good. The cobblestones and the textures on the archways are just some of the interesting details.

We passed through Ghardaia the September before you and I can recall spending several days here arranging a ride south to Tamanrasset. My main recollections are of the heat and of being unable to escape from it. Being a Kiwi this was something I had never experienced before - now I live somewhere equally hot and I'm still not used to it.

Thanks for sharing your backpacking journey, Marlene

ajayrawat (268) 2009-04-28 7:20

Very nice colorful photograph here, nice reflection of life in Algeria.

saxo042 (16000) 2009-04-28 8:33

Hej Gert,
The strong blue and red colours here are in a perfect harmony. Very good contrasts and perspective. Also a very good note!
Hälsningar
Gunnar

jasmis (50761) 2009-04-28 10:31

Wow.. A treasure from a deep drawer. Splendid documentary presentation.
Regards.

archimatica (13290) 2009-04-28 14:09

Hi, Gert.
Great skills, no doubt ;)
Compo and colors are fantastic, and the scan is really good.
Regards
Renzo

bukitgolfb301 (4805) 2009-04-28 14:26

Hello my dear Gert

I like to see photo taken in decades years ago, which makes us imagine how is different from now. 35 mm tone is still significant and testable indeed, I am sure.
Congratulation on your great Job !

Best regards and thanks for sharing

Takero

emka (21903) 2009-04-28 16:00

Hi Gert, This photo is older than many TE-members! It amazes me how well you preserved your old photos or slides. It still have good quality and is wonderful document of the old times. Interesting colours, specially this blue.

Regards

Malgorzata

stevesaba (3902) 2009-04-28 17:44

Hi Gert!
Nice offering from the past. It really scanned well! And I agree with some of the comments, the slide must have been in excellent shape! The colors are great as are the wonderful weavings....rich colors! Nice feeling. Good choice, and good work! cheers,
Steve

mikolaj_kawa (30727) 2009-04-29 1:10

Hello Gert! Excellent scene. Wonderful architecture. Nice lightness, splendid colours. Original work. Well done!

fanni (8737) 2009-04-29 23:22

Hej Gert,
this "blue" moving man creates a motion effect and looks an integral part of the surroundings - the building which is partly painted blue. Interesting perspective and moment: I had an impression as if I was transferred back into the Past, into God-only-knows-what times! :-)
Kindest regards,
and I wish you a nice day!
Elena

hispic (7399) 2009-04-30 20:15

Hello Gert,
This shot is also one of a wonderful series that creates a stir in the digital photography that reveals details even in shade part. I really like this Kodachrome tones. Blur of the left foot of the man in blue bring a movement to this image.
Regards, Hisashi

Glint (3052) 2009-05-03 11:33

Hello Gert,
fascinating scene. The architecture is interesting and the colours shout out. Love the blue. Lots of details to feast the eys on.
best regards,
Bev