House Of Slaves, a photo from Dakar, Ouest

Photographer's Note

This is surely a very famous pov of one of the most difficult buildings to photograph in Gorée. When I was there, there were groups of tourists visiting it and there are usually several photographers in the same place where I was, taking photos of tourists to sell them:)! I just got a few seconds to take a couple of photos, then it got overcrowded again.
This building is also one of the most famous in the Island - it's the House of Slaves. In this yard, surrounding the stairs, we have the little rooms where slaves were kept, separated according to their sex, age and weight. In front, leading to the sea, we have the famous Door of No Return.
This small Island with no cars is today a World Heritage and a symbol of the slave trade. First ruled by the Portuguese and then by the Dutch, English and French, this was a point of departure for many African slaves from 15th to 19th centuries. This House of Slaves with its Door of No Return is one of the most important attractions in the Island. Here, we can still see the places where slaves were kept and the door they passed to reach the ship and start the long voyage to never return again (for this reason the door was called Door of No Return).
In spite of its sad history, Gorée is a very beautiful Island with colourful houses. Besides the impressive places where slaves were kept, we can also see many nice houses built for the slave traders, churches...

macjake, Royaldevon, Romano46, jjcordier, No_One, ikeharel, mvdisco, mcmtanyel, Vasa, ChrisJ, ourania, Angshu, maloutim trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

lousat (130007) 2013-10-29 2:38

Hi Ana,i been there 12 years ago but i remember very well this house,and its interiors too,a great pic without no one inside..ehehe...very difficult to do as you wrote.A really good capture whit the best quality as possible,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

danos (110407) 2013-10-29 2:44

Ola Ana,
nice the view as the pressentation of the house of slaves in a center placement as we can see and admire the architectural style of it.I see back from the open hole on the wall on the backdrop the see i think.
Excellent the light and the colour management of the scene.

Regards,Danos

macjake (96157) 2013-10-29 3:04

Hi Ana
amazing post for TE, has TE written all over it.
great subject, great history and story even though its a sad one for sure.
I can fully appreciate the difficult nature in obtaining this scene as the people were probably surrounding it like flies.
good to catch a quick shot.
the door in the lower middle is fantastic.
great post
cheers
craig

Royaldevon (75468) 2013-10-29 4:43

Hello Ana,

A very moving story is connected to your photograph. It is difficult to imagine the utter hopeless desolation that the people must have felt as they were wrenched from their homeland.
Your photograph, with its warm colours and lovely symmetrical composition, in way hints at the story. The sweeping staircases lead very naturally to the centre where the eyes then travel into the darkness, to eventually focus upon the seaward doorway; a great sense of depth.

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

Sergiom (117241) 2013-10-29 4:58

Bonjour Ana,

J'aime beaucoup le point de vue , bien centré entre les deux escaliers qui offre une belle symétrie dans la composition.La couleur principale est étonnante et attire le regard.

Amicalement

Serge

Romano46 (18472) 2013-10-29 6:00

Ciao Ana
un gioiello che sembrea essere messo apposta per esere fotografato.
A due passi dal mare che si intravede atrraverso l'apertura in basso colpisce per il colore vivace e per la bella simmetria.
Un bel soggetto che nelle tue mani è diventato oggeto di una fotografia molto ben fatta per la composizione che si avvale di un formato quadrato e per la cura nell'evidenziare i dettagli con un contrasto perfetto.
Complimenti
Ciao e buona giornata
Romano

Corry (4508) 2013-10-29 6:37

Très belle photo de cette Maison des Esclaves en bordure de l'eau. Excellente symétrie de l'image. La couleur est magnifique. Ta note est très intéressante. Bien fait. Bonne journée.

Yvon

jjcordier (79299) 2013-10-29 23:50

Ana
Un très bon cadrage de ce bâtiment coloré. Une belle lumière pour une excellente photo au graphisme intéressant.
Amicalement
JJ

No_One (4) 2013-10-30 1:17

hi Ana,
What a dramatic name, the door of no return in the house of slaves, brilliant. Its a beautiful scene, and fair play to your timing to capture this between the gangs of tourists. Beautiful colors too, the pink stone looks excellent against that interesting sky!
Thanks for sharing.
Noel

ikeharel (105933) 2013-10-30 6:39

Ola Ana,
Your patient payed-off at the end, and taken a perfect shot on the edifice.
Just seeing the title makes one viewer to be most intrigued: A slaves place for trading with - human merchandise - how horrible and cruel life was.
Nowadays, renovated in fantastic red/pink tone, a nice piece of local architecture, nothing to compare to its past.
Stunning ocean view through, in fine clarity and DOF.
Boa tardes,
Ike

abmdsudi (88597) 2013-10-30 8:55

Hi Ana
This is a rather humble looking building with so much of history and emotional baggage.....
Colour is the name of the game and it surely assaults the eye, they have faces and so characterful. i love the symmetry, the earthiness, combined with the zing contrasty colors make this one a spectacular shot!! But what so important and full credit to you, is for having captured the most important element - the rectangle opening DOR facing the open sea backed by your narratives. A fine photo effort, Congrats and tx for sharing
Best regards

mvdisco (17798) 2013-10-30 19:16

Bonjour Ana,
Joli point de vue et architecture,
Belle perpective et couleurs,
lumière magnifique et netteté,
tous mes compliments
Michel

mcmtanyel (58830) 2013-10-31 18:52

Hello Ana,
A passionate and informative note to accompany a true gem of a photo. I must confess, I was admiring the door that opens out to the sea with great envy until I read your note, now I am admiring it with some sobriety. A most exquisite photo!
Regards,
MT

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2013-11-01 2:35

hello, a nice graphical presentation here. Love how you show it to us. The red colour is really attracting and the curved staircase added a lot to your composition. Excellent one. Tfs.
S

Vasa (515) 2013-11-04 16:48

Hello Ana,

the starecase is not elegant, but it is so worth thematic picture. I keep a collection of many thematic variations. It is original example, by shape and by color. Many thanks for sharing this one and so glad to see you from time to time.

Branko

ChrisJ (160070) 2013-11-11 5:53

Hello Ana,

I love the glimpse of sea in the centre through the open door. It appears to offer an escape route but sadly did no such thing for many unfortunate slaves. I also like the warm cold color contrast as well between the red ochre building's facade and the yellow stairs with the blue sky portions shown. Tfs!

ourania (51103) 2013-11-11 11:12

Hello Ana,
a wonderful tight frame which exalts the shapes and perspectives of the architecture. I like very much the symmetry that makes the Door of No Return such a captivating and significant focal point. How about leaving out the sky at the top of the frame so that the sole opening towards a vast outside view gets even more dramatic? You managed light and colours in a superb way and the absence of people gives the place an eerie intensity. Your note is superb too. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

Angshu (56760) 2013-11-19 1:56

Ola Ana
Strangely this structure reminded me instantly of Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Of course the history & background could not be more different...a very sad reminded of the history of mankind driven by money, colour, greed & power
Best Regards
Angshu

maloutim (13617) 2013-12-15 7:39

Indeed a lucky shot you managed without anyone around.
Lovely POV created by this elegant architecture. If only it hadn't seen such horrors !
Great management of light and colors ! And you succeeded to get a clear view through the door at the back, instead of an over-exosed rectangle.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Marie-Louise.

jmdias (102954) 2014-01-12 8:08

ana

gostei muito do uso das estruturas arquitetônicas e de suas cores na foto. muito boa aluz e o enquadramento.
pois é, muita gente pensa que não existem mais escravos, mas eles existem, desde a Europa até no br, china, etc. é verdade que os europeus eram cruéis usando a mão de obra escrava, mas os africanos que entregavam membros de tribos rivais para serem vendidos estavam no mesmo nível.

abraços

jorge