Shadows Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Another shot taken against the wall of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech. The last one, for a while at least. As I stated to a certain member on my last upload of this wall, I was dug in, and dug in deep. I, literally, have around a hundred photos taken from the same point over about an hour period between two or three days. The trick was to get the "walkers" in mid step. The lighting did the rest. There are also a couple other members with photos from the same location. I'm actually surprised that there aren't more though. It's not original, but it is such a photogenic spot, sort of the obligatory trophy shot that says "yes, I've been to Marrakech".

For more on the same theme and some info on the location see:

Light of God
Thinking
Followed

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For some other versions see:

One by Sebastien (sebinho342): Catching Shadow

A different angle of the wall by Graham (graham currey):
The Koutoubia in Marrakech

...and by Tamas (QBI): Koutoubia Mosque

A few by Patrice (Calimero76):

The man and the shades
Shadow theatre
Two shades
Chance of the moment

A close up version by Panchaud (Morac): Ombre et Lumière

...and an original angle by Francois Olivier (fohoizey): *Marrakech*

Plus one by Izzet (keribar): Which direction?
...and a tilted horizon line by Bahadir (BAKO): Return Home

...to point out a few.

Thanks for any comments or critiques,
John

hderin, Dpbours, robertosalguero, shevchenko, edytungkal, axiotea, Emiel_Skyfreak, Bruno40, claudeD trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

gabrielpat (6551) 2007-08-25 13:03

pas un peu "déjà vu"??? vraiement,là ça fait beaucoup.mais toujours sympa.

dawekato (1988) 2007-08-25 13:05

Brilliant! Your timing is great, worth the wait. Great co-incidence that the man's jalaba is colour co-ordinated with the wall. Nice light giving long shadows. Love the simplicity and strong colours. You obviously had a concept and followed through. Bravo!

ninaL (19550) 2007-08-25 13:07

Hi, John.
Du déjà vu ?
Maybe.
But I am never tired by this kind of street shots.
Hot, strong colors of wall, walking people and shadows : double shadow here.
I like this atmosphere.
Very well done.
Best regards. Grazyna.

Vasylis (1408) 2007-08-25 13:34

Indeed brilliant photo .
mystic and atractive
TFS
Vasy

polter (6124) 2007-08-25 13:39

Nice simple composition in lovely rich colours. The shadows makes the world double that beautiful. And sometimes double that fat ;)). Greetings T.

devimeuxbe (56100) 2007-08-25 13:53

Hi John
I just understand that this wall become very famous on TE.
Thanks for your interesting note.
You maybe could create atheme.
This one is very well equilibrate.
Very nice
Bertrand

vinu (129) 2007-08-25 15:23

Hi John.

GREAT SHOT. The light is so magical here.
Beautifull composition, very live.
Best Regards,
vinushka

zumoduvas (1974) 2007-08-25 16:10

Hello John.

Excellent picture, nice composition and colors.

Regards.
Jose Luis.

ribeiroantonio (21957) 2007-08-25 16:21

OK, this is the Marrakech classic, no doubt about it. However, it is not every day we can see a very good picture. Yours is perfect, with a long shadow, the man in the right position, very sharp and full of texture on the wall and, last but not least, excellent true colours. Well done.
Antonio

charleigh (11) 2007-08-25 17:45 [Comment]

Show Comment

batalay (21112) 2007-08-25 18:14

Hello John,

This is highly reminiscent of another shot of yours, but equally compelling. The composition could not be better in this "minimalist" photo. The shado of the lamp is cast in the direction of the pedestrian, and holds the image together very nicely. The terracota wall, and the man's matching outfit contribute to that mimimalist image. Exellent in every way.

Warm regards,

Bulent

crckt (7090) 2007-08-25 19:05

Hi John,
EXCELLENT! Really nice shot..the effect of light and shadow is just awesome.
Well done,
Shaeri

hderin (596) 2007-08-25 19:06

Master :)

Wonderful shot in front of Marrakech Color :)

Simple, graceful composition. Thank you very much.

Best regards

Haluk Derinöz

Cormac (26451) 2007-08-25 19:52

Very interesting shot! The angle of the light allows for some really interesting shadows, and really makes this different. The shadow of the light in particular is quite unsual, and seems almost to be reaching out toward the man and trying to catch him. Nicely done!

Dpbours (220) 2007-08-25 21:58

Hi John,

Still great earthy colours in this one. Yeah, I won't get tired of this spot, though you already uploaded a number of them. Small thing; The pavement is very slightly tilted to the left ;-). THere you go, my tilting-fetishism is playing up again!

Have a good Sunday!
Dennis

partha (13667) 2007-08-25 23:05

This series is simply brilliant. Wonderful long shadow, excellent background all works together to give a grreat shot.
Regards.
partha

recepyuksel (17786) 2007-08-26 2:23 [Comment]

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bantonbuju (48762) 2007-08-26 13:28

as you say its not original but its the very one which rises a desire "i wish i had taken this"... cloassically delightful...
--------
i found light in morocco absolutely arresting...to the extend that few times i woke up quite early in the morning and went out with my gear hunting for the low angle light...combined with all those yellows and reds - unforgettable...
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"yes, I've been to Marrakech".? ...really? try to take such a photo in boston, or berlin, or...
bw, j.

robertosalguero (110) 2007-08-26 16:13

Nice and artistic. The composition is very good and the balance of light an elements works very well. You created good appeal with the colours and sharpness. THe shadows well placed and seem to create some continuity. Very nice work and interesting image. Thanks John.

Roberto

edytungkal (4519) 2007-08-26 18:56

Hello John,
I like this shot from your series, i thought the shadows are perfect. Almost brown on whole your picture against the shadows is a beautiful contrast. Excellent composition...
tfs

daniel

shevchenko (10016) 2007-08-26 18:57

Hi John,
Patient works to take a lots of photos at the same location at the different days, attractive color of the wall at a silent corner, good contrast, good composition to show variety people with variety costume at the same place, well done.
Ally

axiotea (16197) 2007-08-26 23:14

Hi John,
This spot is becoming famous on TE! And rightly so! It is so graphical with the long shadows, and the warm color tones...
Nice
Cheers
Marilyn

woladorsky (804) 2007-08-28 1:59

Great John!!

I thought I had seen this picture before and you are right, there are several members that captured this one. However I like the fact that the man is wearing clothes that match with the wall.

Very nice picture

Rolando

sothy81 (8536) 2007-08-28 9:37

What's an intersting image you got. You took it with great abstract kind of thing in your mind. Very nice shadow. And the light is great. Beautiful monotone color. Well done. Sothy

dvlazar (6488) 2007-08-28 17:13

Thanks for showing the alternate versions of this location, i really enjoyed looking at them all... in a sort of behind the scnenes kind of way.
-dave

ahmetgedikli (22032) 2007-08-29 16:35

Hi John,
Well seen and superb capture! Very nice colors, light and beautiful composition. Nice work.
Well done.
Ahmet

Emiel_Skyfreak (2976) 2007-08-29 17:42

Hi John,

Great capture of shadows.. I especially like the long shadow of this lonely lantarn there..it tells me you took this photo at the right time of the day. When the shadows are long and the light is pretty. Fine exposure and great colour(s)! Very good minimalistic approach, contrast and top sharpness. Good that you have included a thin layer of ground on the bottom, it breaks from the orange facade. Fine work and well presented.

ps. I've read your profile a minute ago..places I'm going..are you planning a big Afrika trip? Like..man..what African countries are you not planning to visit? There are not much left over! Seems like a nice and interesting trip, have a great time there!

Regards,
Emiel from the Netherlands

brevbrev14 (372) 2007-08-30 0:54

Hi John, this place is really famous...and your image really beautiful!
i hope to visit this place soon...
your POV is perfect to show well this shadows..
GREAT IMAGE!
ciao!
Valeria

Bruno40 (6442) 2007-09-12 23:49

John,
This shot is becoming a classic, like Taj Mahal or Giza, but it is always welcome, specially if it comes at high quality like this one.
Some day I will have it too, and I could say "I was in Marrakech"
TFS
Jorge

claudeD (11392) 2007-09-18 11:08

Hello John,

without kowing that you have a simikar shot in your portofolio I shot nearly the same like you.I must say however that yours the better shot because of the men in the image you are adding much life to this picture.Great work.My congratulations.

With regards from Luxembourg

Jean-Claude

livinitout (938) 2007-09-19 22:21

Really well done here.

Framboisilla (5402) 2007-09-26 10:16

Hi John,

I don't know what to say... It's a very nice and typical composition of Marrakech ! It's well composed with a perfect framing.

Regards,
Stéphanie.

eirene (54) 2008-12-28 11:37

i like this photo. colors are hot and beautiful

bakyy (703) 2009-01-17 13:05