Photographer's Note
On the coldest day of this Winter, I don't resist posting this souvenir of much hotter days (maybe 40 deg. C at 10am...).
This is the ksar of Medenine, a relatively important town in South Tunisia. Although now, like many others, it is largely a tourist atraction and shopping mall to tourists, in Tunisia, normally ksar refers to fortified granaries (no, they weren't usually used as homes) that were used by nomad or semi-nomad people that spent part of the year camped near them. They were fortified to be more easily protected from robbery. Some of them are located on the open country, far from any village or fixed settlement, others, like this one, are located inside villages and towns.
If it reminds you Star Wars, that isn't a surprise, as George Lucas and his team inspired themselves on these constructions to design the scenarios of Mos Espa, the planet where young Anakin Skywalker lived. Actually, many scenes of the movie saga were filmed in Tunisia.
The original was quite pale and over exp and there were lots of electricty posts and cables, so I had to spend some time with PP, cloning, selecting the sky to apply diferent color balance and saturation and so on. I posted the original as a WS.
More recently I posted another pov of this view.
Links: Lexicorient/Medenine, Wikipedia - Medenine, ksar, ghorfa.
axiotea, Wanda1, gypsygirl58, jhm, cobbydale, seb_p, balatrek, cuneyt-sb, vagabondtravels, zeca, lucasgalodoido, adores, pboehringer, siolaw, henrytf, rigoletto, Benedict, urs0114, salvator, sarahnatalie, rakeshgupta, maloutim has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
MIG13
(0) 2007-01-28 22:18
Composição original, José, que me faz imaginar uma cidade "feita em camadas", diferente do convencional. Belas cores e detalhes interessantes. Bom trabalho! Abraço! Miguel.
axiotea
(21651) 2007-01-28 22:34
Hello Jose,
Good POV showing us the special architecture of the ghurfas, with very good light. I like as well the edifice behind with silver dome and the minaret next to it. Colors are well rendered, sharpness and framing are good too.
Cheers,
Marilyn
Wanda1
(15142) 2007-01-28 22:51
Hi Jose,
A good point of view from above looking down as well as over into the buildings in the distance. A wonderful sharp and well composed architecture shot.
Regards
Wanda
yannick
(1471) 2007-01-29 1:19
Hi Jose,
You chose a nice POV for this nice picture. The architecture of thuis Ksar is very intersting. The light is nice, I don't know what is the result of your PP. The arrows on the walls are really funny. It looks like a game.
Bye,
Yannick
gypsygirl58
(1329) 2007-01-29 5:27
Hi Jose,
Great composition and POV! I love the architecture and the colours are lovely. The sharpness and details are excellent. Well done and TFS Cheers Tina :-)
jhm
(211738) 2007-01-29 7:34
Hi Jose,
This are villages that the simple tourists never can see during a holiday to Tunesia, I this very spectacular, excellent composition and natural colours. Very well done!
Have a nice day,
John.
capthaddock
(28790) 2007-01-29 11:53
Hi Jose - the painted arrows spoil the exotic charm a bit, but it's still an interesting shot, I like the contrast of the ornate minaret with the primitive looking houses, great work on cloning out tha cables, I cound not tell anything was erased out.
gilou530
(34) 2007-01-29 15:25
salut jose
une photo super nette avec une lumiére magique, dommage que le minaret soit trop centré a mon gout mais cela reste une belle image, bravo
amitiés
gilbert
leo61
(0) 2007-01-29 15:31
Hi Jose!
Good composition with strong light,amazing sharpness and contrast.Interesting architecture and a good contrast with the modern buildings and the minaret at the horizon.
Regards,leo
cobbydale
(1958) 2007-01-29 15:52
Great POV Jose, and a very interesting scene. Good sharpness and very realistic, natural colour tones. Interesting notes too.
TFS. Leon
seb_p
(498) 2007-01-29 17:45
hello Jose, I love to see people that take the time to work on their pictures. For me, I think I like it more than taking the actual picture. Can't wait to see your WS. Lovely constructions that is almost camoflaged with the ground. Only the doors stand out. Very interesting place you are showing us.
TFS
Seb...
balatrek
(7455) 2007-01-29 17:49
Hola Jose,
Es un lugar muy interesante, parece una maqueta una miniatura, la perspectiva desde un punto de vista alto es excelente, al igual que la nitidez y saturación de los colores, es un buen trabajo, te felicito.
Saludos
José
cuneyt-sb
(6576) 2007-01-29 18:52
Hi Jose
Very good captured really , houses looking very good , ur POV is great , colors superb, wery good shot
Regards
vagabondtravels
(6511) 2007-01-29 21:08
Hi Jose
Nice comp and color. Very sharp.
Great pov. Way to get up there.
Well done.
Ben
jmcl
(14535) 2007-01-30 0:01
Jose.
Well it was worth your effort .. that is so funny that my first thought was Star Wars .. really striking place .. and you have presented it so wonderfully .. your colors are just perfect .. the doorways mysterious .. and what is up with all those white arrows??????
really wonderful .. very well done.
take care,
John
a1b2j
(153) 2007-01-30 18:14
composition*****
subject*****
colors and light*****
sharpness*****
overall aesthetics*****
cdmonson
(5304) 2007-01-30 18:15
Wonderful shot here Jose. I love that you shot it at the corner of the courtyard--it points the eye toward the tower at the back. Wonderful shot.
Clark
zeca
(19762) 2007-01-30 21:35
Olá José, meu xará!
Que bela composição! Contrastes fabulosos em todos os sentidos, mas de maneira impressionante no conteúdo, onde as arquiteturas são tão distintas em primeiro e segundo planos. A arquitetura rústica em primeiro plano é interessantíssima! Gosto do detalhe das portas coloridas! A imagem em si transmite um calor! E ninguém na foto! Curioso! Uma foto repleta de detalhes muito bonitos e interessantes, super bem enquadrada aos princípios de TE! Viajei nessa...
Abraço,
Zeca
lucasgalodoido
(27698) 2007-01-30 22:01
Olá José!
Lembra mesmo o filme esse lugar! Gostei das setas também, deve ser para indicar onde Luke Skywalker tem que passar com seu carro voador! hehe
Achei ótimas as cores, formam um contraste interessante, além de uma boa nitidez!
Parabéns e Abraço!
rafid76
(0) 2007-01-31 2:05
the one place i didnt see in tunisia :(
people actually live there? still you gave us an exellent prespective of the place. the sky, mosqu and blue doors mmmmmmmmm can smell the mashmoom.
well composed my freind
batalay
(41261) 2007-02-01 9:37
Hello José,
How on earth did you get the area devoid of people. I looked at the original, and noticed how much better this version is, but that also had no people in it. In Turkish "Hisar" means a castle or fortification. Arabic has gutteral sounds that Turkish does not. I wonder if Ksar mean fortification also. Well composed shot (I cannot feel the 40°C heat), and find it very inviting. Excellent composition and exposure, and superb note.
Bulent
sothy81
(9646) 2007-02-01 12:20
Hi Jose, this is such a great photo showing about ancient architecture. Excellent one my friend. Sothy
adores
(46979) 2007-02-01 19:52
Olá José!
Está óptima! Qualquer dia tenho que voltar á Tunisia para voltar a esta zona. Ainda não conheço Medenine e ando a querer fazer aquela viagem no comboio vermelho, acho que é o Lizard Rouge.
As cores estão excelentes, gosto especialmente do colorido das portas e das sinalizações. Fizeste um bom trabalho!
Anabela
pboehringer
(770) 2007-02-02 11:58
Hi Jose, let me add my comment to that too, although I do not have anything else to say besides what was already written on all the other critiques. The signs give an enteresting side track and I wonder how the theatre looks like in this place. I also wonder if people living there ever see some green. The colors are certainly monoton brown, beige and white. OK, the blues and other colors on the doors add an additional element and touch. I hope the thick walls gives some protection against the sun and heat.
Regards, Peter
pastadog
(13111) 2007-02-02 16:41
Hi Jose - very nice shot including your PP work. This is very strange and pretty architecture. I like those white arrows (leading to a theatre?). Very good colors and shapes, congratulations, Daniel
berseph
(1758) 2007-02-03 1:42
Great overlook of this interesting town. Colors are beautiful with the bright blue sky and the beige of the buildings and the different colored doors. Those are quite interesting staircases and I would be wearisome going up and down for fear of falling, especially with a handfull of goods (and no railings). Excellend PP work.
siolaw
(38294) 2007-02-04 3:05
Hi Jose,
Great POV on the ksar, with nice geometry, superb colors and correct sharpness... excellent architectural shot
Laurent
berek
(50518) 2007-02-04 3:49
Hi Jose,
good point of view for this interesting place. I like harmony of brown with blue colors. well framed picture. have a nice Sunday
Burak
****
paura
(25802) 2007-02-06 16:28
Bonita e bem ajustada essa foto, José. Gostei, em especial, do ângulo de tomada, que permite observar os detalhes construtivos em três volumes.
Paulo
knowdebu
(964) 2007-02-06 23:48
hi Jose,
its always a treat to the eyes to see your photos. i like the angle from where you had clicked the snap showing two different architectural characters.
debabrata
bostankorkulugu
(42866) 2007-02-07 6:54
i dont know how i missed this beauty... i know the place from other shots but this is the best pov... i wish i could see this place someday... congrats jose...
korkut:)
UnTrained
(0) 2007-02-07 12:37
Olá José,
very interesting buildings and not easy to capture. The absence of of colors on the walls and also the smooth structure without strong clear lines give only light and textures a chance to build contrast. I think this is very much visible in your original (workshop), you made it well here to give the eye a chance to recognize single buildings. What are the arrows for?
Lieben Gruss, Ulf
sergio1
(12152) 2007-02-08 5:05
Hola Jose
Una fantastica foto de la Medina, me gusta mucho la composicion y la perspecgiva.
Recuerdo bien este lugar y me gusto mucho.
Saludos y gracias por compartir.
Sergio
henrytf
(985) 2007-02-08 18:51
Hello José,
Excellent photograph of a wonderful place.
The control of the light and of the colours are perfect to enhance all the architectural characteristics of those well known granaries.
Superb
Friendly
Henry
Bluejeans
(64251) 2007-02-09 13:54
Ola Jose que casas fascinantes com esta cor de barro , com portas coloridas , parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo
rigoletto
(34279) 2007-02-09 16:52
Ola José,
I loved the originality of the architecture and how beautifully you captured it all. The light, colors and composition are just great!
TFS,
Deniz
cgaudencio
(189) 2007-02-10 19:49
Hello Jose,
You got a good photo here and I think too, that its reminds Star Wars. The tower back, on scenery take attention.
Gaudencio
emilbo
(22616) 2007-02-10 21:37
Ola Jose!
Belle prise de vue et bonne composition, ça me rapelle mon voyage en Tunisie en 2005 où j'ai passé par là. Ta note est excellente et en parlant de Star Wars, j'ai bien aimé visiter le site où un film à été tourné dans le désert.
Félicitations!...
Emilius
sarahnatalie
(697) 2007-02-11 14:38
Beautiful, incredible, well-composed, well-edited from the original, what more can I say?
Sarah :)
Benedict
(7076) 2007-02-15 0:59
hi jose,
it reminds me of star wars of course!! and wait a minute- also of the old houses in jeddah- they resemble the same architectural arts.
a very fine work with superb POV my friend... i must say it's an envy (just being honest!)...
happy valentine's day, jose. and keep up the good work!!
benedict
vincz
(19113) 2007-02-21 12:37
Just back from nepla, i discover lots of new interesting pictures in your gallery. the tones of this one are beautiful, sandy houses under a blue sky. indeed it rembers me Star Wars! i like your post procsiing. Well done.
salvator
(19110) 2007-02-25 4:18
Hi Jose,
very nice composition. Very nice details and light and shades. The blue sky and the blue door also very nice. I wish you a nice weekend. Best regards. Salvator.
rakeshgupta
(2672) 2007-03-02 23:32
Hi Jose,
This beautiful architecture series and the minar in the background are looking great. The muddy coloured buildings are certainly for lowering the temperature inside the houses.
Thanks for shaowing the ksar.
- Rakesh
sadeik
(3282) 2007-04-01 18:12
Superb work here in PP excellant work as it does give it a unique feel and seeps of older times without the modern junk. Great work here
Simon
Greg1949
(9011) 2007-05-13 21:35
Jose, I keep looking at your gallery and keep seeing shots I either missed or thought I had alread commented on. This one looks like a set out of "Planet of the Apes" except for the minaret of course, or "Star Wars" and you pointed out. It is very interesting, unusual I suppose. I really like these off-the-beaten-path sort of shots and wish we would see more of this, and well taken like yours, from others. Great shot,
Greg
banyanman
(7797) 2007-07-15 6:47
You did an excellent job in cleaning this image up in PP, Jose. The technical quality is much improved on the original. I like this composition better than the one you posted later because it shows more of the interesting houses in the foreground, but in both I wish the minaret wasn't centred so much. Perhaps there wasn't an alternative POV that would have enabled you to include the houses and keep the minaret off-centre, but it would have been worth trying. Cheers . . . David
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Jose Pires (stego)
(24132)
- Genre: ·ç¾°
- Medium: ²ÊÉ«
- Date Taken: 2005-07-30
- Categories: ³Ç±¤, Architecture
- Camera: Olympus E-300, 14-45 mm Zuiko Digital
- Exposure: f/9.5, 1/250 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Map: view
- Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
- Travelogue: Tunisia 2005
- Theme(s): !Top rated, !Your favorites [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2007-01-28 22:12
- Favorites: 1 [view]
Discussions
- To seb_p: The original (1)
by stego, last updated 2007-01-29 06:11 - To jmcl: Arrows (1)
by stego, last updated 2007-01-30 09:55 - To rafid76: Mashmoom? (3)
by stego, last updated 2007-01-31 11:34 - To batalay: Ksar (2)
by stego, last updated 2007-02-02 09:35 - To pboehringer: People living there (1)
by stego, last updated 2007-02-02 08:47