Lost inside a mud-brick labyrinth Photo

Photographer’s Note

The few tourists that visit the old center of Al Qasr, go with a local guide. I didn't and it was a pleasure to get lost inside this mud-brick maze of high-walled alleyways and gloomy covered passages. People still inhabit some of these medieval houses, which make it even more fascinating, because it's like a living museum from the 10th century.

Dakhla comprises many villages with exotic architecture. Al Qasr is one of the villages, about 20km north of Mut, the capital of the oasis, and it's a must – an amazing Islamic settlement built upon Roman foundations that was indubitably Dakhla's medieval capital.

See also WS1 and WS2 for perspectives of other streets with local people approaching.

Scharan, bakes888, japiey, fabio_ts, Tue, feather, zeynepe, ang25, Photo65Net, xuaxo, paura, bostankorkulugu, syd1946, Henryk_Bilor, JCG, Cricri, lucasgalodoido, papagolf21, AiresSantos, PaulVDV, danos, alvaraalto, luisafonso, josepmarin, JBotelho, Vato_Law, patdeph has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

japiey (9545) 2008-07-03 5:05

Hi Ricardo,

Well written title, and a superb interpretation in visual, for the concept.
The shaded parts of the frame adds the excitement..
Fine tones that enhance the moods of the labyrinth.
All the best, dear friend.

jp

delnaja (26) 2008-07-03 5:07

I like the natural framing and the warmn colors and light. Quite simple but well achieved.

fabio_ts (13674) 2008-07-03 5:18

Olà Ricardo, great use of light/shade for a brilliant work, well composed too, BRAVO!!!

have a nice day,
Fabio.

Paolo (40818) 2008-07-03 5:28

How to built a city with many mud and few wood....
good one Ricardo, a lesson of architecture about fresh air and small lanes and low temperature in the houses also without the A/C...llthings forgot in the past 50 years!
Good quality and an excellent depth of field and a great composition with the walking shadows at the end of the lane.
thanks, ciao

Tue (25770) 2008-07-03 6:55

Hi Ricardo,
Excellent vertical composition and nice natural framing by the dark parts of the door opening. The light is very pleasant on the warmly coloured stones and the lonely silhouette is a superb inclusion as well. Thanks a lot for sharing this impression of this place.
Regards,
Lars

feather (51026) 2008-07-03 7:09

You were very brave to go alone; you could be wandering there still! ;D The series of three images is wonderful to share with use the uniqueness of this place. The light must have been incredibly difficult yet you have succeeded in producing an excellent series. I think I like WS2 marginally better but they are all good.
Kath

zeynepe (9442) 2008-07-03 7:21

Hi Ricardo,
I like the natural framing and architectural details in the image.
If I were you,I would feel a little bit unsafe due to the earthquake resistance of the labyrinth.
Congrats,
Warm regards,
Zeynep

delic (6735) 2008-07-03 7:54

These alleys offer nice photo ops, much like canyons. You handled light well, and the inclusion of the person is a plus, though I wish he was closer. Best wishes,
Hakan

Gerrit (36967) 2008-07-03 9:46

Hi Ricardo,
wonderful place. Beautiful see-through. You've made a great series of Egypt.
Gerrit

Photo65Net (43106) 2008-07-03 10:30

Ricardo,
Nice catch.
you controlled perfectly contrasts and light, I like the result a lot.
Regards,
JB.

xuaxo (6083) 2008-07-03 11:20

Olá Ricardo,
Muito interessante. Dá a impressão de ser frágil, mas devo estar enganado.
Desta vez a "moldura" ficou mais interessante.
Um abraço
F

paura (40841) 2008-07-03 12:05

Ricardo,
Uma variante do post anterior da bicicleta, mas interessante igual. Belíssima.

Abraço

Paulo

berek (29235) 2008-07-03 12:09

Ola Ricardo,
another mystic atmosphere. impressive architecture and good perspective. greetings.
Burak

gilou530 (36769) 2008-07-03 13:44

salut ricardo
une trés belle gestion des zones de lumiére de cette ruelle qui lui donne un charle fabuleux
amitiés
gilbert

coco (28701) 2008-07-03 14:45

Hi Ricardo.

Obviously this photo is much better than the WS. And I must add: this is a great photo.
Congratulations for this one.

Regards.

Jeppo (12923) 2008-07-03 14:47

ciao Ricardo,

I have never been in this part of Egypt..but I had the chance to visit Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco.
I shot a similar pic there...but here there's plenty of depth and light/shadow games

excellent take
tfs
Silvio

bostankorkulugu (34562) 2008-07-03 15:08

although i still prefer the previous one from the same place this is very nice to in its own style with a good perspective... reminds me of mummy movies somehow... all the best rcrd... and kisses for the cats>:P...

krkt

jmdias (20959) 2008-07-03 17:32

ricardo

mais um belo trabalho explorando as cores douradas das paredes desgastadas, mostrando esta bela luz e as sombras. Belos detalhes e o elemento humano adicionando vida à composição. perfeita, uma viagem em si mesma

abraços

jorge

manatee (4329) 2008-07-03 17:53

Wow, I dont have words to this is just Beautiful, I love it, I wish I can be there I love this places, I were in Fez and I was so happy there and I think you enjoy it so much this too, I love the angles, the ligth and shadows, the person the misticism, even the flavor in the air and the whole ambience

Theank you for letme travel with you

Elias

Angshu (34841) 2008-07-03 20:52

Ola Ricardo
Excellent! Like the use of light & shade. Enjoyed seeing those horizontal wooden structures which seem to hold the buildings on eitherside. What's their purpose? Are they passageways? The person is a great addition, without whom, this compo. will not have the same effect. Once again I think cropping of the left side by an inch would not have done any harm :-). Both your WS posts are excellent as well.
Friendly Regards
Angshu

syd1946 (18114) 2008-07-03 23:20

I love this one Ricardo,not only for the passing man which give the contrast and fits with natural frame...Also the warm colors and the light works here so well and adding to the beauty of the photo.I like it very much together with the two photos in the workshop!

Wishes for a nice weekend,
Thomas

Graal (60312) 2008-07-04 0:15

Hi Ricardo,
another interesting place and reportage from Egypt. Good composition, fine "human accent" in BG. Amazing backstreet. I like it. WS interesting also.
Gr., Aleksander

pablominto (42522) 2008-07-04 1:48

Hello Ricardo,

I like the perspective a lot, and the placement of the guy in the end is great!
Well framed with fine textures, the colours are special but the different shades work well...

Greetings,
Pablo -

Bluejeans (34486) 2008-07-04 2:40

Oi Ricardo ,
Que interessante estas cidades construídas de terra e agua , são labirintos autênticos , o homem parece um fantasma perdido nesta cidade antiga , gostei da moldura como tivesse a sair de casa ,parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Henryk_Bilor (20377) 2008-07-04 2:44

Hi RIcardo
Hmm, a bit tight place...;) Interesting details. Good perspective and light.
Have a nice day.

ribeiroantonio (22214) 2008-07-04 2:46

E como é que te safaste do labirinto? Vejo que gostas mesmo da aventura!
Tens aqui um conjunto de três fotos muito bonitas e pelo que parece também não tiveste prolema em fotografar as pessoas.
Quanto ao PdV não sei se neste caso teria sido necessário teres deixado esta moldura negra do "tunel". Penso que um metro ou dois mais à frente teria ficado bem. A vista é longa e dá bem a ideia de serem ruelas muito estreitas.
António

delkoo (35642) 2008-07-04 5:15

hi Ricardo
you certainly have a very good eye for this type of photography, the composition, colours, depth and light are just wonderful.

have a nice w.e
didier

John_F_Kennedy (32772) 2008-07-04 7:34

Nice tones here, a different style of architecture is well captured in your shot. A nice Arabian old building. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

JCG (26635) 2008-07-04 9:11

Hi Ricardo,

It is necessary to be recognized in this maze of streets !!! Moreover there is no street name as in our areas… A good point of view on this lane. The light is well managed and this foreground gives a good contrast to the image. Beautiful and interesting photograph, thank you Ricardo.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

Cricri (45241) 2008-07-04 9:39

Ola Ricardo,
C'est une trés belle série de ce village, intéressant par leurs habitations et leurs mode de vie..
Un beau jeu ombre et de lumiére bien capturer, excellent aussi les WS
Have a nice weekend for you
cricri

lucasgalodoido (17675) 2008-07-04 14:17

Olá Ricardo,
acabou que conseguiu uma moldura muito bonita com essas paredes, e formando um belo contraste com a terra. Gostei.
Parabéns e Abraço

RADEEH (2780) 2008-07-04 23:19

As you said in the note it will be interesting to wander about in this amusing place. Is that beams made of mud or it have some iron rods inside it .Nice that you have perfectly placed that man exiting from this place. Like these colours and lights.The best part what i feel is the framing . Congrats and TFS !

papagolf21 (57785) 2008-07-05 2:26

Bonjour, cher ami Ricardo,
Je suis heureux de découvrir ces merveilles, ces trésors cachés !
Merci pour ces très intéressantes vues de ces maisons médiévales.
Un pur plaisir pour le passionné d'architecture.
Bravo pour l'excellente maîtrise des hautes et basses lumières.
Amitiés.
Philippe

AiresSantos (44510) 2008-07-05 3:54

Ola Ric
Tal como a anterior do genero, tem cores e luminosidade adniraveis. Excelente POV, enquadramento e detalhes
Um abraco e bom fim de semana
Aires

PaulVDV (5495) 2008-07-05 13:36

Hello Ricardo,
It sure must be a great pleasure to get lost in this labyrinth of mud-brick alleys.
You were right to go without a guide.
Your picture shows this interesting architecture very well.
I like the vertical composition with the three horizontal structures and the covered passage.
Regards, Paul

Scharan (13957) 2008-07-05 19:05

Olá Ricardo

Ótima composição na vertical. Gosto das cores, da textura, da luz.Ficou muito bonito este trabalho com a presença da pessoa ao fundo, é um pormenor importante.
Parabéns!
GA
Vera

bakes888 (18353) 2008-07-06 0:33

Hi Ricardo. I don’t think this architecture would last long around here, it would truly turn to mud. Wonderful capture of warm colours and textures. The figure in the tunnel is a great inclusion to add life. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good week, Paul.

alvaraalto (5353) 2008-07-06 14:31

Hi Ricardo,

The man in the distance gives scale to the picture. Otherwise this could be easily a view through a modern sculpture. Lovely vertical and horizontal lines and excellent contrast.

Groet Rob

zeca (20026) 2008-07-06 17:57

Olá Ricardo!
Que lugar fantástico! Caminhar por estas ruelas deve ser mesmo emocionante. Um ótimo registro, com cores agradáveis e bonita luz.
Abraços e boa semana!
Zeca

toto (18919) 2008-07-07 2:36

Bonjours,
belle photo de cette ruelle étroite, pas asphaltée, avec ces mur haut, ces constructions qui comme des ponts traversent d' un côté a l' autre.
Jolies couleurs sable qui nous amènent vers cette egypte.
Bel éclairagequi montre bien les détails de cette ruelle.

Amitiés Thomas
je reviens

danos (34924) 2008-07-07 2:46

Ola Ricardo,
specific shot of this narrow earthy alley in the mud-brick labyrinth.You have right about the local guide that mast lead everyone between these dangerous? alleys.This photo in combination with the others in the WS is an excellent travelogue in this beautiful country.I like the mystic atmosphere that created from these alleyways.Well done my friend.

Have a nice week,Danos

luisafonso (858) 2008-07-07 3:00

A WS2 é a melhor imagem sem dúvida. Quebraste o verticalismo da cena ao usar o formato horizontal. Realmente o sítio parece ser incrível. Um pouco poeirento, é certo! Devem ter que estar sempre a limpar o pó... :)

josepmarin (35001) 2008-07-07 5:49

Olá Ricardo,
buen resultado conrolando esta difícil exposiciín, con una luz tan variable en la imagen. El marco creado por la silueta negra en el primer plano funciona muy bien, y nos introduce en esta estrecha callejuela, donde un hombre se dirige hacia la luminosa salida.
Me gusta el fuerte grafismo de la composición, y su aspecto suave por el tono uniforme de las fachadas y el suelo.
Bien hecha.
Un abrazo,
Josep

JBotelho (147) 2008-07-07 19:16

Olá Ricardo
Excelente foto com uma luz de fazer inveja. Bem emoldurada e com um ponto de vista muito bom. Parabéns.
Abraço.
João Botelho

Vato_Law (11828) 2008-07-13 11:51

Olá Ricardo,
A nota simples ilustra bem a sensação de calcorrear por este labirinto que é como caminhar pelo desconhecido sem saber muito bem o que se vai encontrar na esquina seguinte.
Gosto muito do jogo de luz e sombras que conseguiste aqui recriare da presença deste homem ainda que não esteja tão proximo como gostarias, mas tambem não me parece que seria muito seguro fazê-lo pois por estas paragens não são muito fãs de serem fotografados por estranhos.
Gosto muito do 2º ws acho que ainda acentua mais o jogo de luz e sombras de que falo acima e as pessoas estão mais chegadas a ti.
Um abraço.
Paulo

patdeph (19236) 2009-01-29 0:29

hello RIcardo
after have seen the photo in th link of Angshu,I came back inwhich one I prefer!Here,I love the architecture of the street,the light and the golden colours!I love the depth and the lonely black silhoutte giving a special mood!This is really a splendid photo!
Regards
Pascale