Sand and the city Photo

Photographer’s Note

The view from a minaret in the Algerian oasis of El Oued, approximately 550 km southeast of Algiers and about 70 km from the border with Tunisia. The city is partly surrounded by huge sand-dunes and the water-level is quite low.
In a workshop is a view of a market-square. I guess I turned about 90 degrees left for that picture.
These photos from 1975 were scanned from Kodachrome slides.

JanD, fanni, Buin, Kielia, hispic, mikolaj_kawa, ellelloo, bukitgolfb301, jhm trouve(nt) cette note utile

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JanD (14977) 2009-05-15 2:50

Howdy Holmertz!
Wonderful cityscape and mysterious desert. Excellent perspective. Perfect image.
Regards.

fanni (8737) 2009-05-15 2:55

Hej Gert,
both these photos (including the WS photo) are very interesting in many ways, and also because they were taken long ago! Of course I can't compare them to what this place looks in modern time: I doubt that I will ever go there...
so they are very valuable from the historical point of view. And I especially like the main photo because it shows more of that amazing architecture which is "spiced" by the sand dunes far in the BG.
Excellent composition; and excellent quality of the scan!
Best regards,
Elena

Greg1949 (8511) 2009-05-15 3:08

Gert, fine capture, I expect that if you took it today the roofs would be covered in satellite dishes or other type of antennae. I think it is easy to be nostalgic about film, it has a great dynamic range and the sharpness of the old glass (within the limitations we knew then) produce fantastic shots, like this one. Great work.

Greg

nwoehnl (120) 2009-05-15 3:11

Hi Gert. Another nice one from your archives, again with a satisfactory result of the scanning. This one has a highly graphical appeal, resulting from the alignment of the characteristically-shaped architecture, as well as from the undulating dune shapes in the back. The WS is very interesting as well, and would merit a TE posting in its own right.

Buin (38040) 2009-05-15 3:15

Hallo Gert!
An amazing sight -and an a bit threatening one. These masss of sand look like a menace. I like the many many details one can detect in this "historic" ;-) photo. I think, an unforgettable place ... By the way, the quality of this scan is amazing!
Greeting from Germany - and have a nice weekend!
Frank

jasmis (50777) 2009-05-15 4:42

Incredible exotic presentation. Superb hot colours.
Regards.

stevesaba (3908) 2009-05-15 8:49

Hi Gert!
Another classic from the past! The sand dunes seen beyond the city are amazing, and really add the final feeling to this rooftop scene! Excellent framing and compostion. It scanned realy well too! The workshop is equally amazing, and stands alone as a great "market" shot. Great archival work! Regards,
Steve

Kielia (8611) 2009-05-15 9:07

Hej Gert,
I would call this a stunner! The beauty of these buildings is amazing and you have chosen an excellent POV. The colors are still very attractive. The image looks like a painting by Paul Klee. Great work! The photo in WS is also highly appreciated.
Warm regards
Harriet

saxo042 (16038) 2009-05-15 9:09

Hej Gert,
Definitely very interesting architecture, but strange and different. The landscape outside this town does not look particularly inviting. I have no desire to go for a walk in the surroundings here. Still, the trees look very green and nice. A very good scan and composition.
Hälsningar
Gunnar
(sista poängen för idag!)

archimatica (13290) 2009-05-15 10:06

Hi, Gert.
The title is a play on words? Instead of "Sex and the city" ;)
It's a joke, I do not want to offend anyone!
Interesting urban view, I like the colors and diagonal lines.
Best,
Renzo

emka (21951) 2009-05-15 16:09

Hi Gert, So many interesting thinhs in this photo. beautiful dunes, quite big and all those minarets and roofs. I like Arabic architecture very much. Splendid composition.
Regards

Malgorzata

mafegan (4375) 2009-05-15 18:28

Hi Gert
A dramatic scene with the varied rooftops and then the enormous sand-dunes just next door. I think we missed out on something not visiting El Oued - still life is not over! 100% for the scan. Tfs, Marlene

hispic (7399) 2009-05-15 19:46

Hello Gert,
Are photographers' eyes making progress though cameras have been making remarkable progress? I think so in spite of myself when seeing such wonderful photo taken with film. Nice quality!
Have a nice weekend, Hisashi

mikolaj_kawa (30785) 2009-05-16 0:40

Hello Gert! Amazing town on the desert. Excellent POV and capture. Ideal colours. Good shot. Good luck!

ellelloo (4885) 2009-05-16 3:37

Hej Gert,
There are many interesting details in this photo, form the architectural details to the amazing sand dunes. The dunes look so big that there is an impression of the city to be threatened to be buried under sand in the next sand storm. A good POV and composition. Excellent scan quality again resulting in very pleasant colours!
Have a nice weekend!
Lasse

vincz (19043) 2009-05-16 4:37

great quality for a scan! The picture is amazing with the sand dunes in the back and the so special constructions.

bukitgolfb301 (4821) 2009-05-17 1:52

Hello my dear Gert

Great photo! The exquisite contrast between complicated building and sand like sea. The proportion of two parts is also excellent.
Congratulation on your great job !

Thanks for sharing and best regards

Takero

jhm (83035) 2009-05-17 3:45

Hello Gert,

A view out of the minaret in the Algerian oasis of El Oued.
A very nice picture, I find your scanned image excellent of colour and presentation.
Composition and real colours give a very nice image of this urban area, together with the dessert in background.
Very well done, tFS.

Have a nice sunday,
John.

leo61 (43448) 2009-05-20 10:16

Hi Gert!
I like this view above the roofs at the high dunes.Good light colors and contrast and good quality for this old scanned one.
Regards,leo

COSTANTINO (22988) 2009-05-29 10:48

Hello
another different photo,another postcard of a different
architectural details,lovely distance and landscape view
thanks for sharing again
regards and compliments
Have a nice week end
Costantino