In the streets of Medina, Sfax Photo

Photographer’s Note

In the streets of Medina, Sfax

Unusually, the streets of the Medina are mainly laid out on a rectangular plan, presumably inherited from the Roman town.
Rue Mongi Slim runs through the Medina from south to north. In Rue de la Driba, which goes off on the right, are a number of houses with handsome and imposing doorways; and in a side street opening off it on the left is the interesting Folk Museum.

The medina even got special quarters for old trades like locally-made jewellery and iron products.
Even better, the place is really friendly. Sfaxians are said to feel above the needs of alluring foreign visitors, but that doesn't mean that they are unfriendly. On the contrary, Sfax medina is a place where people show genuine hospitality to its guests.

The medina is of such a nice quality that it has been used as a location for international movies, like The English Patient.

Sfax

Sfax (Arabic: صفاقس‎, Safaqis, or /sfa:qs/ in Tunisian Arabic, whence the French name) is a city in Tunisia, located 270 km (168 miles) southeast of Tunis. The city, founded in AD 849 on the ruins of Taparura and Thaenae, is the capital of the Sfax governorate, and a Mediterranean port on the Gulf of Gabes. Sfax has population of 340,000 (2005), and is an industrial center for processing phosphates. The city is often described as Tunisia's Second city, because only Tunis has more inhabitants.

History

By the end of the 10th century Sfax had become an independent city state. The city was conquered by Roger of Sicily in 1148 and occupied until it was liberated in 1156 by local forces, and was briefly occupied by European forces again, this time by the Spanish, in the 16th century. Sfax became an integral base of the Barbary piracy, prompting an unsuccessful invasion by Venice in 1785. In the late 19th century Sfax and the rest of Tunisia were conquered by France and incorporated into the French empire. During World War II, the Axis powers used the city as a major base until they were defeated by British forces. After World War II, Tunisia was returned to France only to gain independence in 1956. (Source: patrimoinedetunisie.com & wikipedia)

ChrisJ, npecanhuk, jlbrthnn, ymrk, paura, vasilpro, saxo042, Graal, AiresSantos, mikolaj_kawa, Cretense trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

pauloog (6703) 2009-09-26 1:46

Hello George,
A fien street scene, with good light in shadows and sunny areas despite the strong light, and some colourful elements as a contrast.
Regards,
Paul

jurek1951 (26020) 2009-09-26 1:57

Hi George,

Beautifully exposed shot. Looks very well balanced and textured,lovely composition with wonderful light and colors.Interesting architecture.
Georg

snunney (35200) 2009-09-26 2:02

Hello George,
Another interesting daily life shot from this ancient city. The woman's colourful costume makes an interesting contrast with the walls of the houses, which have no doubt seen better days. I like also the long deep perspective towards the vanishing point at the far end of the street.

ChrisJ (70357) 2009-09-26 2:09

Hi George

A superb daily life scene, with the narrow alley walls providing excellent, diminishing linear perspective & vanishing point. Good sharpness, & striking warm cold colour contrasts. The people add scale. Tfs!

mauro61 (16048) 2009-09-26 2:28

ciao George,
un'altra bella immagine per le vie della Tunisia.
Ottima inquadratura e bellissimo il contrasto dei colori, il taglio verticale fa il resto.
bravissimo
saluti
maurizio

serp2000 (9631) 2009-09-26 2:31

Hi, George,
Good presentation of Medina,
Excellent depth of sharpness. Fine POV!
Have a gret WE!
Serghei

lctan (1057) 2009-09-26 4:09

hi george,
Fascinating street so well captured here! I like your POV and composition here. congrats
LC

npecanhuk (14364) 2009-09-26 4:29

Hello George!
Those streets and alleys around the world... how we travelers love to visit them and walk along them!
With you, I have the pleasure to know this specific one I might never ever see myself!
Sharpness, exposure, dof and colors are excellent!
The pov was very well chosen and the composition is effective and attractive!
TFS - congratulations!
Have a great week-end!
Neyvan

jlbrthnn (38527) 2009-09-26 5:17

Hello George,
Again, an excellent typical image of the daily life and local culture. Beautiful setting in image of the street and its narrowness. Very good clearness and colors. Cheer.
Have a nice day.
Cordially.
Joël

ymrk (8969) 2009-09-26 6:41

perfect!Yes indeed George.look,that old woman and her opposite walking man had added the move.Do you think to come here?if it is so,when you will come?
Take care,

Yağmur

paura (38864) 2009-09-26 6:55

George,
A perfect framing to show us the interesting daily life scene. Very nice phptography, dear friend.

Regards

Paulo

vasilpro (9134) 2009-09-26 8:07

Hello George,
Another excellent daily life composition, interesting architecture in Sfax with the narrow streets, very nice DOF. TFS!
Have a nice WE, Vasilis.

saxo042 (16038) 2009-09-26 10:54

Hi George,
A very good perspective with the street leading up to a place at one third... Good addition of persons in bright colours, a fine inclusion of human activity. A remarkable and special architecture!
Kind regards
Gunnar

ahmetgedikli (22010) 2009-09-26 11:49

Superb shot... Very good POV and perspective on your photo. The light and sharpness are beautiful.
Have a good weekend.

ahmetgedikli

Graal (58403) 2009-09-26 23:27

Jó napot George,
good reportage and presentation of ordinary street in Medina. Well vertical composition and caught moment with of the walking peoples. Fine contrast of colours - clothes and walls.
Have a nice sunday.
Aleksander

AiresSantos (42578) 2009-09-26 23:46

Hi George
Another narrow street, fine daily life picture.
Beautiful colours, good light management as usual
TFS and have a nice Sunday
Aires

jjcordier (25036) 2009-09-27 0:20

George
Encore une photo très réussie de la médina de Sfax avec un bon positionnement de la femme. Belle maitrise de l'exposition.
Amicalement
JJ

mikolaj_kawa (30785) 2009-09-27 0:52

Hello George! Very interesting narrow street, interesting scene, mysterious woman. Perfect exposure, ideal colours, very good focus. Nice frame. Well done!

danos (32926) 2009-09-27 2:16

Hi George,
one nice snapshot from the narrow a strees of Medina,with the woman to carry her bags.I like the characteristic colours of the houses, as the spesific colours of the native light.The situation of the houses,as i see looks like to be a little bit deserted.

Have a nice Sunday,danos

Cretense (56688) 2009-09-27 5:01

Hello George!

Excellent choice of the square frame, great composition and fantastic perspective! Great light management, great balance between the shaded and bright parts! Brilliant colours!

Hercules

hay_kes (28562) 2009-09-28 0:20

Hi George,
Very beautiful POV and perspective.Excellent lighting.TFS.
Cheers,

hAyAti

gildasjan (24005) 2009-10-16 12:45

Bonsoir George
les personnages apportent beaucoup dans cette très bonne composition.
Bonne soirée
Amicalement
gildas