Corridors of Al-Qasr Photo

Photographer’s Note

What's below is from this web site, which describes Al-Qasr better than I could. It really is cooler in these alleyways than in the ordinary shade. Al-Qasr is part of the oasis of Dakhla.

"The Islamic town, el-Qasr (meaning ‘the Fortress’) was probably founded around the end of the 12th century AD by the Ayyubids, over the remains of an earlier Roman Period settlement...

The narrow covered streets have changed little since Medieval times and a three-story mudbrick minaret rising 21m above the mosque of Nasr el-Din, erected during the Ayyubid Period, is one of the landmarks of the town...

As a respite from the scorching heat of the sun, the cool dark twisting alleyways of the old town offer views of many ornately carved beams and lintels which decorate the entrances to houses. The oldest inscription dates to 1518 on the Beit Ibrahim. Recently discovered kilns from a pottery factory, and a corn-mill, suggests that el-Qasr had a thriving community since antiquity. The town still has around 700 inhabitants, many who follow the traditions of craftsmen from a time gone by. Today the town is renowned for its traditional earthenware pots and palm-leaf basketry. However, villagers who move out of the old town are no longer allowed to return and no new building is allowed there as the Ministry of Antiquities eventually hopes to turn their deserted houses into a tourism feature."

ManuMay, robertosalguero, wishlist, jafadabret has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ManuMay (11343) 2008-09-22 23:31

Hello Ken!!
Following TE commandments this image help us to understand a little bit more the Old Egypt...Thanks!!
Your capture shows its world as dayly, the place to live, a fortress where so many people has lived and died... pure history.
Also as image has a great light management and composition... colours are reference complete to Egypt... of course!!

Congratulations.
Regards.
Manuel.

robertosalguero (110) 2008-09-23 1:10

Hello Ken,

The ray of light coming down diagonally make this image even more interesting. I like the solitude felt here but at the same time I notice the many shoeprints on the floor. Nice composition showing good depth and sharpness. Thanks Ken :-)

Roberto

baba_flies (8091) 2008-09-23 3:23

Hello Ken! While others show beaches you lead us inside, to give us a look to the "inner life" of this town and it feels good ... and cool :) I love the light beam that goes through and I find this really attractive. You can see it just a little but enough to make this picture different and special. Very good work ... you know what you do! Barbara.

wishlist (4133) 2008-09-23 5:02

What a beautiful game of shadows and light Ken. The combination picture/note is the best TE package we could look for. Excellent quality throughout with nice depth created by the narrow street; the footprints in the sand lead the eye through this wonderful presentation making the whole lot very pleasant to look at.
Regards,

Igor

chris04stop (2509) 2008-09-23 13:59

This is a very good shot. But SO emblematic! Well, there we have an exit, but... is it the right one? Or the wrong one? Where, where are we going if we go out from that door? Oh...sorry, Ken! Sometime (very often) I am SO imaginative! Sorry. This is just a very beautiful pic. With... yes. ..a touch of mystery. The light, the shadows, the tracks on the sand...like strange marks. Ehi, I like your photo! Ciao,
Anna Paola

jafadabret (40281) 2008-09-23 23:45

Hello Ken.
Cette photo est superbe pour son graphisme et sa lumière. J'aime ce rayon de soleil qui traverse le cliché dans sa diagonale.
Jacques

fkostas (444) 2008-10-04 7:07

Hi Ken,

I too like the play of light and shadow, combined with graphics, a portal, and footprints in the sand. The slight curve on the bottom left wall interests me also.

Farah