Bahia Palace Photo

Photographer’s Note

The interior courtyard of Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace

The Bahia Palace is a palace and a set of gardens located in Marrakech, Morocco. It was built in the late 19th century, intended to be the greatest palace of its time. The name means 'brilliance'. As in other buildings of the period in other countries, it was intended to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style. There is a 2 acre (8,000 m²) garden with rooms opening onto courtyards.

Set up at the end of XIXth century by Si Moussa, grand vizier of the sultan, for his personal use, this palace would bear the name of one of his wives. Here, the harem, which includes a vast court decorated with a central basin and surrounded by rooms intended for the concubines. As the black slave Abu Ahmed rose to power and wealth towards the end of the 19th century, he had the Bahia palace built by bringing in craftsmen from Fez. The structures tell a lot about the taste of the nouveau-riche of its time, and can appear vulgar to modern tastes. It was intended to become the greatest palace of its time, but it is really dominated by hasty planning as well as uninspired detail work. This doesn't make the palace less worth visiting, it is a monument of its time, and served even as the residence of the French resident general, Lyautey.

Η εσωτερική αυλή του Bahia Palace.

Το παλάτι Bahia είναι ένα παλάτι και ένα σύνολο κήπων που βρίσκονται στο Μαρακές, Μαρόκο. Χτίστηκε προς το τέλος του 19ου αιώνα, που προορίστηκε για να είναι το μεγαλύτερο παλάτι της εποχής του. Το όνομα σημαίνει " λαμπρότητα". Όπως σε άλλα κτήρια της περιόδου αυτής σε άλλες χώρες,επεδίωξαν να αποτυπωθεί η ουσία του ισλαμικού και μαροκινού ύφους. Υπάρχει ένας κήπος 2 στρέμματων (8.000 m²) με τα δωμάτια ανοίγοντας προς τις εσωτερικές αυλές.

Ιδρύθηκε στο τέλος του XIXου αιώνα από τον Si Moussa, μεγάλο βεζύρη του σουλτάνου, για την προσωπική χρήση του, αυτό το παλάτι θα έφερε την επωνυμία μια από τις συζύγους του. Εδώ, το χαρέμι, περιλαμβάνει μια απέραντη αυλή που διακοσμείται με ένα κεντρικό νιπτήρα και που περιβάλλεται από τα δωμάτια προοριζόμενα για τις παλλακίδες. Καθώς ο μαύρος σκλάβος Abu Ahmed απέκτησε δύναμη και πλούτο προς το τέλος του 19ου αιώνα, έχτισε το παλάτι Bahia φέρνοντας τεχνίτες από τη Fez. Οι κατασκευές έγιναν με τα πρότυπα του nouveau-riche της εποχής, και μπορούν να φανούν χυδαίες για τα σύγχρονα γούστα. Προορίστηκε να γίνει το μέγιστο παλάτι της εποχής του, αλλά κυριάρχησαν οι εσπευσμένες εργασιες καθώς επίσης και η χωρίς έμπνευση κατασκευή των λεπτομερειών. Αυτό δεν καθιστά το παλάτι λιγότερο άξιο, είναι ένα μνημείο του χρόνου του, και χρησιμευε ακόμη και ως η κατοικία του εδρεύοντος Γάλλου στρατηγού, Lyautey.

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Cricri, carper, siolaw, syd1946, TopGeo, dhurjati, saylan-cb, portmanndominic, azaf1, Cretense, gurselerdener, clio, dip, stego, atus, AiresSantos, Graal, jaywalker, kiwi_explorer, delic, salvator, ChrisJ, riclopes, Truja, gbeli, josepmarin, mikolaj_kawa trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

siolaw (25800) 2007-12-10 0:57

Iassou Danos,
A difficult difference of light intensity, but well controlled. I like the perspective created by the patterns on the floor and the impression of space with scale given by the people walking.
Ta leme
Laurent

syd1946 (17945) 2007-12-10 1:02

Καλημέρα Δάνο,
Μπραβο για συτην τη φωτογραφια σου!Αυτος ο διαχωρισμος σκιας και του φωτινου μερους δινει πολυ μεγαλο ενδιαφερων στην ολη την σκηνη.Ο ουρανος βαθυς μπλε με τα προβατακια ειναι υπεροχος σε κοντραστ με την σκια.Σιγουρα δυσκολη ληψη,αλλα το αποτελεσμα σε δικαιωνει απολυτα.Σημαντικο και το σημειωμα βεβαιως...

Θωμάς

TopGeo (22049) 2007-12-10 1:03

Γειά σου Δανέ, Αυτό το φανταστικό Φόντο και το πίσω του Παλατιού λουσμένο στο φώς, μαζί με την σκιασμένη πλευρά, που όμως κάνει θαύμάσια προοπτική, έδωσες μία σύνθεση από την επίσκεψή σου στο Μαρόκο τέλεια. Μπράβο
Φιλικά
Γιώργος

dhurjati (2827) 2007-12-10 1:14

Hi Danos,
What a beautiful and clear sky!!Amazing.Lovely light as we gradually move from darker side to brighter side.The DOF is wonderful and so is the colours and clarity.I must say, polariser has done a great job in enhancing the beauty.The Blue is amazing.
Greetings from India,
Dhurjati

Budapestman (42566) 2007-12-10 1:39

Hi Danos,
Amazing architecture image with beautiful lights and colours. The composition and perspective is spectacular, details are very fine. Very well done! Have a nice week
George

hatti52 (12654) 2007-12-10 1:39

Hi Danos,
excellent light managementand depth with splendid sky colours
congrats

saylan-cb (12726) 2007-12-10 2:07

Kalimera Danos
This is a great perspective and composition.Amazing sky,wonderful colours,excellent work.
TFS/Regards

portmanndominic (2388) 2007-12-10 2:25

Kalimera Danos

la différence de lumiere sur cette photo nous donne quelque chose de tres interressant , l'oeil se focalise sur le palais du fond ce qui était peut etre le but recherché
le ciel est superbe aussi

TFS
Dominic

azaf1 (15547) 2007-12-10 3:02

Dane kalimera!
Akomi mia eksairetiki apeikonisi tou apithanou aftou topiou. Mou aresei to kentrarisma pou anaptisei katapliktiki prooptiki kai ta panemorfa xromata t ouranou opos kai to kadrarisma sou
Ta sigxaritiria mou
Argiris

bracasha75 (22229) 2007-12-10 3:37

Hello Danos
One more extraordinary and very well done
TFS
Cheers,Braca

Cretense (56770) 2007-12-10 4:08

Γεια σου Δάνο!

Εξαιρετική όλη η σειρά από το Μαρόκο! Πολύ ωραία σύνθεση και προοπτικη, υπέροχη "ευρυγώνια" αίσθηση. Η ώρα ίσως δεν ήταν η καταλληλότερη, έχεις πολλή σκιά, αλλά το ισορρόπησες καλά το πράγμα. Συγχαρητήρια!

Ηρακλής

UnTrained (0) 2007-12-10 6:37

Kalimera Danos,
astonishing darkness even with a view to the time taken in the EXIF. But great difference of light attracting the eye because of the constructed !V". The darker parts are bright enough to see all details, the bright sky and final building do not catch all attention. I like this balance of light.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

danyy (69247) 2007-12-10 6:40

Bonjour Danos,
c'est pas mal vu cette exposition un peu basse pour bien faire ressortir les nuages et les couleurs du ciel, tout en ne nous privant pas des détails architecturaux un peu sombres certes.
Une belle perspective qui donne de la longueur.
Regards.
daniel.

carper (65394) 2007-12-10 8:50

very nice one Danos,
I like the perspective of that courtyard, a fine point of view and nice sunlight, fantastic contras, very good photojob, have a nice evening.
gr. jaap

Cricri (43492) 2007-12-10 10:48

Hi Danos,
Belles perspective des deux côtés qui rejoingne le palace illuminé par la lumiére su soleil, joli ciel bleu ou les nuages planes au dessus du palace, trés belle composition
Have a nice evening for you
cricri

dokadak (11492) 2007-12-10 13:05

Kalimera Danos,

What a great composition... simetry, sky color and deepness is perfect... the shot something like from space :) very well work congratulations..

hasan

gurselerdener (972) 2007-12-10 13:51

Kalimera Danos
İmpressive deepness and perfect capture.
Cadrage, colours and sunlight are wonderfull in this photo.
Congratulations.
Best wishes from Ankara.
Gursel

clio (22937) 2007-12-10 14:15

Geia sou Dano,
Very beautiful perspective. The lighting of the building of the bottom is magnificent. I also love these 4 persons whose clothes have colors close to that of the mosaics. Which magnificent place. We understand that the General Lyautey settles down there! That's the colonization!
Xairetw
Diane

dip (12730) 2007-12-10 14:20

Geia sou Dano,
apo xoro allo tipota,auti einai auli! :)
Polu endiaferousa i apopsi tou palatiou,exeis kanei kali diaxeirisi se fos kai skies para tis duskoles sunthikes,o ouranos einai katapliktikos,polu pliroforiako kai to simeioma sou,
Xaireto,
Dimitris.

atus (15476) 2007-12-10 15:37

Hi Danos,
very interesting and not easy shot to take with the different light conditions you managed perfectly here. The perspective is great and the sense of depth is very good. Nice one!
Tfs and best wishes.
Attila

AiresSantos (42686) 2007-12-10 23:44

Hi Danos
It isn't easy to take pictures with these light conditions, but you did a great photojob.
Excellent colours and light very well managed. I like your POV and the lovely sky
TFS and greetings
Aires

Graal (58479) 2007-12-11 0:00

Hi Danos,
fine symatric composition, interesting place and view. Good informations. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

jaywalker (12248) 2007-12-11 0:38

Hi Danos, A very nice symmetry in this court yard photo, your POV was chosen very well, the depth is excellent & a gorgeous sky, the shot is a little dark, therefore taking away some detail, however still a very good photo, kind regards Wilson.

kiwi_explorer (12195) 2007-12-11 2:01

Hi Danos,
Lovely symmetry and nice repeating patterns in the courtyard. Good dynamics and scale of dimension created by the people. Well captured and composed. Well done! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

evanrizo (456) 2007-12-11 3:11

Γειάσου Δάνο, σε δύσκολη συνθήκη πέτυχες πάρα πολύ καλή φωτιστική ισορροπία, το σημείο λήψης της δίνει και μια πολύ καλή συμμετρία, η καταγραφή του ουρανού έγινε τέλεια, και οι τουρίστες δίνουν την απαραίτητη ζωντάνια.
Χαιρετώ
Βαγγέλης

Fis2 (46185) 2007-12-11 7:25

Witaj Danos!
Good composition and frame. Super colors, curious light and shadow. Well done.
Regards
Krzysztof

stego (22376) 2007-12-11 8:03

Hi Danos,
Having been twice in Marrakesh, I have never seen this palace, which is something that I regret. But the town has so much to see...
I imagine your frustration by catching such a light here, with all courtyard in the shadow, making it impossible to capture the stucco and tiling work. However, I think you were very wise by putting the emphasis on the geometry of the place and use that pretty sky and the palm trees as a backdrop. One can still vaguely perceive the decoration in the shadow and let loose our imagination. It's a very punchy image, with a very nice atmosphere.
Regards, José.

steliosk (4784) 2007-12-11 9:48

Εκπληκτική, μπορεί εγώ να ειδικεύομαι στο RAW αλλά ότι και να κάνω ο ταλαίπωρος αυτό το συνδυασμό φακού/σώματος δε μπορώ να τον φτάσω!!

Σε συγχαίρω αγαπητέ Δάνο.
ειλικρινά ντρέπομαι να σχολιάσω,
η ατμόσφαιρα, οι φωτιστικοί τόνοι... χρώμα..

Το όνομα σωστά μπήκε αυτή τη φορά, αλλά μου τα χάλασες λίγο στο τίτλο, τον ήθελα στο άλλο άκρο. :)
Ξόδεψα και τα 2 workshops μου σήμερα, ελπίζω αύριο να προλάβω να σου ανεβάσω ένα να δείς τη διαφορά.

Φιλικά Πάντα
Στέλιος

[workshop] [compare]

zmey (7282) 2007-12-11 10:08

hello, danos! on the first glance, my feeling is that the foreground is way too dark for this picture. however, when i look longer at it, it starts to make sense. i think, the point of the interior garden is to provide soothing shade refuge from the sun-lit scourge outside. in that sense, the photo captures the atmosphere accurately. and the symmetric composition with the brigh lit center in contrast against the foreground looks good.

well seen and presented.

TFS
kristaps

delic (6735) 2007-12-11 12:05

Hello Danos,
I like the wide view here. The lens shows its strength with minor distortion in the extreme edges. You did well exposing for the highlights. Perhaps the shadow areas could be brightened a bit using levels selectively. The people accentuate a casual mood the way they are distributed in the courtyard. Regards,
Hakan

salvator (18823) 2007-12-11 15:19

Yasu filemou,
Wonderful composition and superb colors. Yje symmetry, the use of the light and the colors, the details and sharpness are truly wonderful.
Se xereto. Salvator.
PS.I will probably be in Athens, December 18th-22nd. I don't know how busy you will be or if you are there between these dates. I will write you a note when it is definite.

ChrisJ (70373) 2007-12-12 2:18

Hi Danos

Fantastic lead in lines provided by the piazza with good sharpness & wideangled distortion. The people add scale & context. Well done, & tfs!

riclopes (33115) 2007-12-12 3:38

Olá Danos, it surprises me how good this one is, considering that it's all in the shadow, except for that façade in the background. The sky is gorgeous and the contrast is wonderful. The FG is a bit dark, but we can still see the general details and enjoy the beauty of this space. Excellent work.
Best regards,
ricardo

ifanik (20542) 2007-12-12 3:59

Geia soy Dano
Poly omorfh eikona me wraia xrwmata, eidika ston oyrano, kai symmetria
Bravo
Xairetw
NIKOS

nisko (2461) 2007-12-12 4:59

kalispera dano,
thaumasio contrast me to zontano katagalano ourano kai to skiero kommati sto kato meros!kathari omorfi sinthesi,bravo!
xeretismous,
thodoris

Truja (4948) 2007-12-12 7:14

Hola Danos,
an excellent photography of great quality, phenomenal composition, perfect frame and the perspective is brilliant. Great depth and perfect symmetry that takes us to the center of the image. Great handling of the light, zones in the shade and zones with sun. The colors are brilliant and that sky ohhhhhhhh that sky wonder!

Salut, Jordi

anducina (8127) 2007-12-12 9:09

Excellent and original scene, I like this blue sky over the shadowy courtyard and the interesting architecture. Excellent low light.

TFS,

Andreea

chrisnet (20376) 2007-12-12 9:49

Hello Danos,
The light was difficult here, but I like the perspective and the beauty of the architecture.
Regards

gbeli (2026) 2007-12-13 5:09

Geai sou Dano
Poli omorfi eikona tis aulis tou palatiou kai endiaferon note.
Einai ligo skotini alla katalabeno oti otan pas ena taksidi sto eksoteriko den mporeis na elenkseis tis kairikes sinthikes.
O ouranos einai original?
Xereto

Silvio1953 (42495) 2007-12-13 5:56

Hi Danos, great perspective of this lovely place with wonderful light and splendid colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

josepmarin (33965) 2007-12-13 9:47

Hi Danos,
Besides the good work of control of the exposure in these conditions of difficult light, the perspective and the depth of the image it is fantastic.
The people give life to the scene, and I like the strong contrast between the zone of the court in shade and the blue very luminous sky.
Good composition.
Best regards,
Josep

plimrn (19688) 2007-12-13 11:08

Kalimera Danos,
The framing is very dramatic here; while your use of light and shadows quite stunning. You have excellent detail in the shadows while the light in the sunlit areas has an almost magical clarity. It is always a pleasure to view your photos.
HLJ, Pat

pablominto (41104) 2007-12-15 1:14

Hello Danos,
You pick the right moment to push the button!
Amazing light on the palace, great lines in the composition...
The lovely sky with the fine clouds add to my experience!
Greetings,
Pablo -

trekks (14332) 2007-12-16 0:06

Great work, Danos, for the direct light on the far end and the balance in shadow, a good contrast scene.

Shot from a good pov and composition, this works well under such nice blue sky and clouds. TFS

bill

MarcT (21103) 2008-01-04 6:31

Hi Danos,
Excellent use of your wide angle with a beautiful place. Just a little commentary: you could have searched for perfect symetry.
Cheers
Marc

mikolaj_kawa (30879) 2008-04-29 6:18

Hello Danos! Wonderful place. Amazing architecture. Nice light and shadow. Original POV. Very good capture. Fantastic work. Well done!

Photo Information

Copyright: Danos kounenis (danos) (32994)
Genre: Lieux
Medium: Couleur
Date Taken: 2007-10-28
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Canon EOS 5 D, Canon EF 16-35 USM 2.8 L mk.II, B+W 82mm Circular Polarizing
Exposition: f/9.5, 1/180 secondes
More Photo Info: view
Versions: version originale, Workshop
Carnet de voyage: Morroco 07
Date Submitted: 2007-12-10 0:55