A Moment of Silence, a photo from Er Rachidia, Sud

Photographer's Note

This is a 1/6 sec.s, f4, ISO1600 handheld photo, where i pushed the limits of the camera and tried hard (2 times) to get a sharp image. I like the baroque darkness of it, only revealing some necessary elements.

A night at the Berber Camp, outside Erg Chebbi Dunes, near the Algerian border. Together with a Canadian girl and our Tuareg guide we were only three, in the middle of nowhere. After riding our camels for 4 hours, we reached the camp. Getting down our camels and having our dinner (tajines of couscous) we sat by fire, it was cold but not so chilling. Our guide taught us some Berber songs and the night went on with chats about this and that. The turban of our guide is in typical indigo Tuareg color, having a green hue with the help of the yellow of blaze.

The men's facial covering originates from the belief that such action wards off evil spirits. It may have related instrumentally from the need for protection from the harsh desert sands as well. Taking on the veil is associated with the rite of passage to manhood; men begin wearing a veil when they reach maturity. The veil usually conceals their face, excluding their eyes and the top of the nose. The Tuareg are sometimes called the "Blue People" because the indigo pigment in the cloth of their traditional robes and turbans stained their skin dark blue (source: Wiki)

mcmtanyel, chanteuse, timecapturer, jhm, Romano46, delpeoples, Angshu, EstudioChispa, edcone trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Juzo (3031) 2013-06-12 6:10

Hi Deniz,
Great steady work in low light, fantastic painterly image. There is a sense of tradition and warmth here I like.
Cheers
Justin

mrmike1935 (4781) 2013-06-12 7:18 [Comment]

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mjw364 (1466) 2013-06-12 11:25

Hi Deniz

Yes - baroque palette - the light also reminds me of art by Valazquez or Titian.

Great lighting and moment captured in difficult conditions - nice job.

TFS

Silvio1953 (205719) 2013-06-12 11:35

Ciao Deniz, fashinating scene, fantastic light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

mcmtanyel (58830) 2013-06-12 16:50

Hi Deniz,
This is a very effective photo. You are right, it did not need any more light. It has a magical attractiveness.
Regards,
MT

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-06-12 22:14

i can almost feel the sense of silence.love the light and the mood it creates.the traditional attires look so good.great shot.
regards
dwaipayan

emka (152194) 2013-06-12 22:31

Hi Deniz, What an adventure! I would also like to go some hours on camels and then to have a night in Berber camp. Must have been wonderful and unforgettable experience Something similar I had near Jaisalmer in India.
Wonderful shot. Indeed, you achieved here baroque atmosphere. And with this light from the fire it reminds me the George de La Tour paintings. You could try to make the painting from it :). (or maybe I will try ).

Very interesting note too.

Warm regrads

MAlgo

chanteuse (210) 2013-06-13 2:19

Like Emka, I am thinking Georges de la Tour as soon as I saw it. The stillness, the light source outside of the frame but reflected in strong chiaroscuro. Well done focus for such a handheld shot! Beautifully composed as well. Yes, it almost makes one want to go to the desert but I am sure all the moments of travelling there are not so peaceful!

mesutilgim (0) 2013-06-13 2:28

Selam sevgili Deniz,
Sağdakine bir tüp Silverdin merhemi gönder.Bu çekimden sonra ayakları yanmıştır zavallının :-))
Tebrikler
Sevgiler
MESUT ILGIM

timecapturer (49288) 2013-06-13 2:43

Hi Deniz
I really like this shot, it is atmospheric, beautifully executed and almost biblical in its appeal. Stunning work the light and shadows here are just delicious. Well done!

Brian.

Dreamtime (450) 2013-06-13 3:12

Merhaba Deniz,
Fotograftaki dogalligi, o andan cikartilmis bir kare olusunu ve ozellikle isigi cok begendim.Hatta bir film sahnesinden cikmis bir kare gibi.
Eline saglik.
Seyhan

tober (8797) 2013-06-13 3:19

A moment of silence
In baroque darkness
Ona can only say "My Godness"
For seeing such an excellence :)

jhm (203003) 2013-06-13 3:36

Hello Deniz,

You took a wonderful picture with this couple in quiet moment in their life.
Indeed a moment of silence, your presentation is lovely.
Colours and sharpness be superb.
Excellent composition, TFS.

Kind regards,
John.

Romano46 (18472) 2013-06-13 9:05

Ciao Denis
solo 24 punti per questa foto mi sembrano veramente pochi, tanto più che non solo il soggetto è particolarmente insolito e degno di particolare nota, ma anche l'illuminazione ed il colore sono i più idonei a far risaltare lo stesso creando una composizione eccellente.
Sembra di essere davanti ad un quadro del Caravaggio, se non fosse fotografia digitale, ma queste figure che escono dall'ombra sembrano uscire da un passato molto lontano.
Complimenti!
Ciao e buona serata
Romano

gojo (1769) 2013-06-13 13:17

Hi!
Perfect light and colors, great capture of a special moment. Good note!
Did he burn his feet?
Goran

delpeoples (60326) 2013-06-13 16:15

Merhaba dear Deniz

You pushed the limits of the camera here and did so with stunning success. This would have been a completely different photo if you'd used a flash or had the scene lit completely. The low light works a treat, the sharpness is flawless and makes me think you must have been a brain surgeon in a past life, your hand is so steady. I love the traditional garb, both of the Berber man and the Signora to the left. The play of light and shade is atmospheric and a little menacing. Alone in the desert, just you, the fire and the stars. Amazing experience, thanks for sharing it with us so skilfully.

Have a lovely evening
Lisa

PS: I did indeed feel like a Turkish Signora that day. I had a wonderful chat with the old Turkish guys in the mosque who were very welcoming, and the old lady who owned the cafe was so sweet, as we're the two girls who worked there. Both young girls were from Istanbul, one was Kurdish and here for 1 year on a working visa. I've offered to take her on a tour of the Northern Beaches in 2 weeks time

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2013-06-13 21:06

Wow Deniz,
it is a stunning one... With 18-55, which is not a very fast lens, you composed an outstanding one. Hand held- no words... Sharp, perfectly lit image... I have nothing to say a lot except getting some lessons from you... Hats off...
Have a nice day.
Subhendu

Angshu (56760) 2013-06-14 0:45

Hi Deniz
1/6 sec.s, f4, ISO1600, handheld!...a fine achievement indeed! I like the effect of ambient light, which makes this look like a painting by the Rennaisance Dutch masters, Rembrandt or Vermeer. Both the guide and the Canadian girl seem to sit like statues, almost a still frame from Madame Tussaud museum
Best,
Angshu

EstudioChispa (2182) 2013-06-14 6:47

You give us moments of brilliance! Here, it is how you convey the warmth of the fire. Only a hint of flame appears, and the subjects wear clothing enough to tell us it is a cold night on the desert. But the Toureg's bare foot shows the warmth of the fire.

I am curious -- there was conversation and song, you say. In what languages? My only similar experience was camping on the beach east of Tetouan, and the conversation was a slow chain of translations from Arabic to French to English to Spanish. It matched the pace of the night, and the kif, and the mint tea.

Russ
Austin, Texas

Graal (103040) 2013-06-16 1:15

Hello Deniz,
nice scene and portraits. Good shot. I like the warm light and peaceful mood here. Fine finally result with ISO 1600. Well done photo.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

Indrasish (2943) 2013-06-17 1:17

Hi Deniz,
Great shot here.. Well light management.. Good sharpness and color too.. Thanks for sharing.. Very well done..
Have a great day..
Warm regards,
Indrasish..