~ just another day ~, a photo from Fes, Nord

Photographer's Note

This is one of the few places in the world - if not the only, which still manufactures leather naturally using the old world methods of tanning hides in Moulay Abdellah Quarter within the maze of the old Medina in Fez. They have been in operation for 900 years and one of the oldest tanneries in the world. It's amazing to see the big outdoor vats with men up to their knees working the leather, the hides drying in the sun and the 'dead wool' piled high off to the sides. The stench from the fresh hides was unbearable but how they could manage to work in those conditions was hard to comprehend.

I did feel very sorry for the people working there in quite challenging conditions, it makes you appreciate your leather goods a bit more. Quite a special sight if you can leave without feeling too guilty about the whole process but definitely a real shock to the senses when in reality it is just another day in Medina living.

A wider perspective of the tannery, the 'beehives' and human drama! The white buildings around the perimeter are where the skins are stripped down to the usable hides. There is nothing like it anywhere else!

Scanned to tif digital format using Konica Minolta Dimage Scan Dual IV

Additional picture
Workshop1: So you think you've got a crap job? Wonder what the life expectancy for these guys is, mucking about in that vats all day can't be good for a person's health! A zoomed shot, polarised to cut the glare

danos, snunney, ChrisJ, Fis2, jhm, ktanska, cornejo, mcmtanyel, casperduppy trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

danos (110407) 2018-04-13 1:16

Hello Abmdsudi,
this is my lovely photo from Morocco,with all this colourful and oldest tanneries in the world.I like the panoramic view as the beauty of the place.It is really a breathtaking place and a great pont of interest at Fez.

Regards,Danos

lousat (131313) 2018-04-13 1:23

Hi Abmdsudi,i seen something like that in Marrakech,terrific smell but a great show,i like a lot the view from above of this tiny tannery,a fest of colors and graphism,taken in a perfect way. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

mesutilgim (0) 2018-04-13 1:28

Hello Abmdsudi,
Very nice birdseye view of this wellknown scenery in Fez.
Perfect pov and sharpness. Nice bright eyecatching colors.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

snunney (130967) 2018-04-13 1:34

Hello Abmdsudi,
A fascinating capture of this outdoor tannery. So much to see and all in perfect detail. Well exposed with excellent colour contrasts and very good sharpness. The close-up on the tanners is a real eye opener.

pajaran (104701) 2018-04-13 1:43

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepom fotografijom u radionici, lepo pokazano, dobra perspektiva i kontrast, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak sa radnicima.
Dobar tradicionalan nacin farbanja stofova u interesantne posude, lepe stare fasade kuca.
Zelim vam lepo popodne, sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.
paja.

ChrisJ (162384) 2018-04-13 1:44

Hi Abmdsudi,

I will never forget the revolting smell of these tanneries up close, even masked somewhat with a sprig of mint. But terrific color and repetition of shapes and patterns so it was definitely worth it. Tfs!

Fis2 (157951) 2018-04-13 2:52

Witaj Abmdsudi!
A very curious place, view makes impression.
Tanning hides is hard work!
I like POV and composition.
Good colors and light.
Interesting notes.
Nice afternoon.
Krzysztof

Sergiom (117241) 2018-04-13 6:25

Bonjour Abmdsudi,

Je me souviens très bien de cet endroit. C'était l'hiver et par temps gris. Tu as su profiter de la lumière estivale et d'une belle journée. Les odeurs par contre doivent être assez fortes.

Amicalement

Serge

jhm (205019) 2018-04-13 6:26

Hello Abmdsudi,

I think the smell must are terrible.
But a beautiful picture with all the pots.
Pleasant panorama view about the nice area.
Composition and presentation are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Nicou (193806) 2018-04-13 6:39

Hello

sur le toit des maisons quelle iamge ils font la teintures des tissus quel effet graphique et captage et ces couleurs ces liauide dans les ronds sueprbe.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

Cricri (176) 2018-04-13 7:37

Hi Abmdsudi
Superbe vue plongeante, la diversité des couleurs, c'est beau, par contre l'odeur est indésirable ( vue cela à Marrakech)
Meilleurs vœux
cricri

rychem (72179) 2018-04-13 8:35

A very good photo, a few weeks ago I have seen a reportage about tanneries, nothing changed, it is really a hard work, excellent photo
regards Ryszard

ktanska (40913) 2018-04-14 0:42

Hi Abmdsudi,
It is such a special place. I don't think there are any other one quite like this. Cube shaped anciend buildings make good frame on all these colourful tannery pots. Sidelight gives good contrasty result.
Kari

Silvio1953 (208321) 2018-04-14 4:00

Ciao Abmdsudi, great POV on fantastic manifacture, interesting shoot, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

cornejo (61504) 2018-04-14 11:54

Hello Abmdsudi, very good picture of this interesting scene from the daily life of the tanned leather workers, very well captured in this interesting image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. A great job perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thanks for sharing this interesting work.

Good day and happy start of the week.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Angel.

mcmtanyel (59340) 2018-04-28 18:07

Hello Abmdsudi,
This is an impressive photo with repeating patterns and strong colors. I am sure the smell was just as strong while taking this.
Regards,
MT