Djemaa el Fna square and Koutoubia II, a photo from Marrakech, South

Photographer's Note

This one was shot a day after my previous post of the same place. The following notes are a copy of those from that post.

These are the main icons of the fabled city of Marrakesh: the Koutoubia tower, a minaret of the main mosque and the Djemaa el Fna square.

They really deserve their fame, as they are rather impressive, the Koutoubia by its height and beauty and the square by its live and animation.

The Koutoubia mosque and its imposing minaret were built in the 12th century by the Almohad King Yacoub el-Mansour, the same one that built the Hassan tower and mosque in Rabat and the Giralda in Sevilla.

The square in itself is nothing special nor pretty, just a huge empty space surrounded by cafes. You have to be there to feel its atmosphere and get an unique experience nearly impossible to describe or photograph.

This photo was shot in early morning, when the place is rather calm. At night it becomes a sort of medieval fairground that one hardly believes that still exists - snake charmers, acrobats, story tellers, fortune tellers, henna tattooers, traditional doctors, dentists(!), preachers, jugglers, musicians, dancers, street theatre, food stalls and lots of crowd. Although it is a rather big tourist attraction, most of the street shows are actually for native consumption, which is another charming surprise. The square is listed in UNESCO list of "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity".

Some links to more info:
- Wikipedia / Djemaa_el_Fna
- Wikipedia / Koutoubia
- Marrakesh Guide

parbo, robertosalguero, adores, metek, sothy81, sufi, Benedict, ruisc_pt has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

parbo (11092) 2006-11-22 20:42

Ol� Jose,

This is very nice view of again Djemaa el Fna square. I like this version little more because includes more view and gives splendid depth with. Seller cars and visitors tells us place will be ready for its busy time, because every one in hurry. Congratulations.

Friendly Regards,

Parbo

UnTrained (0) 2006-11-23 3:03

Ol� Jos�,
the POV and composition is fine. But, sorry, it is the first photo from you with my impression that it would need a bit more color. For me it is a bit lifeless. To show you what I think of just a little workshop, please decide yourself.
Cheers, Ulf

[workshop] [compare] +

robertosalguero (292) 2006-11-23 3:57

This is a nicer, wider view of the square. I like this one better because it shows more of the buildings and the center area where the vendors sell their products. Good point of view again. I notice the large green spaces contrast nicely with the colors of the buildings. Nice picture Jose :-)

Roberto

MIG13 (0) 2006-11-23 6:38

Ol�, Jos�! O que mais me chama a aten玢o nessa foto � a dimens鉶 do espa鏾 livre, onde se instala a feira e circulam as pessoas. A cor das edifica珲es tamb閙 � marcante, aparentada � do pr髉rio deserto, que est� t鉶 perto! Bela tomada, amigo! Abra鏾! Miguel.

Gustaw (21670) 2006-11-23 16:02

Hi, my friend!
Yes, i know Meknes! Interesting place in Marocco. Interesting arab architecture, good composition. Nice warm colours.
Marek

adores (46979) 2006-11-23 19:36

Boa perspectiva esta Jos�!
Estas cores at� me fazem ter algumas saudades. Foi tirada do terra鏾 daquele caf� (n鉶 me recordo o nome mas creio que � o mais famoso), n鉶 foi?S� foi pena o c閡 n鉶 ter um pouquinho mais de cor (mas nunca est� como queremos). O resto acho que est� 髉timo, uma verdadeira perspectiva desta pra鏰 espectacular (tenho mesmo que l� voltar um destes dias!)
Cumprimentos, Anabela

metek (3001) 2006-11-24 11:06

Hi,Jose
very nice composition , good photo , best regards

somkiat (1104) 2006-11-24 21:55

good showing,jose
i like the wide shot that can show the daily life and what is going on.
cover and distinctly.nicely done,jose.
somkiat

sothy81 (9646) 2006-11-25 17:31

Hi Jose, this is such a detailed view. The lighting is sort of smooth. Great note. Sothy

sufi (9588) 2006-11-28 4:42

Merhaba Jose, my friend...
It's a beutiful point of view and very interesting scene... The light, the pastel tones and the details are perfect... Also perfect perspective... I want to thank you for your detailed note too...
TFS...
Stay well..
Salim.

Benedict (7076) 2006-12-09 2:12

hi jose,
the flea market- so interestingly captured and composed! i see no much litter around which is not typical of such a market.
beautiful and detailed posting.
benedict

ruisc_pt (11594) 2008-03-22 7:49

Um belo POV e um anota muito elucidativa.
parece-me um pouco sobre exposta.. ou ser� do meu monitor?
Um ab
Rui
p.s.
talvez um BD Graduado ajudasse..