Ait Benhaddhou Photo

Photographer’s Note

Ait Benhaddhou is one of the best preserved Kasbahs in the Atlas region and has been used for many films such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia.
It was thought to have been founded around the 11 century by the Almoravids to control the caravan route from Telouat to Ouarzazate. It is now a UNESCO site and is still inhabited.
In front is a dry river bed, taken at about 8:00am

Iso100

grantlp, zeca, InasiaJones, Jeppo, Floydian, Gerrit, Sistercosmo, hispic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

grantlp (2104) 2008-10-01 21:13

Hi Wanda,
Although I have not visited Morocco, I get the feeling that this image provides an excellent representation of the feel and look of the country. It's obviously quite harsh living there, but at the same time it has an ancient natural beauty to it. The inclusion of the woman in the foreground also adds to the atmosphere. Strange they would paint those white arrows on the old walls. Very well captured.
Cheers Grant

batalay (21193) 2008-10-01 21:35

Hello Wanda,

This lovely panoramic view of Ait Benhaddou is a virtual cinematographic education for all of us. Richard Garward pointed to a public group, images used in films. Two of my photos had been used in "Dead Poet's Society" and "Battleship Potemkin." This photo would be a good addition to that group. Thanks for including the time of day the photograph was taken, always useful.

Warm regards,

Bulent

pcp (3368) 2008-10-01 21:41

Hi Wanda,

Beautiful shot.. wonderful colors and superb composition. Clear depth and placing human makes so live. well done.

TFS

Senthil

pboehringer (770) 2008-10-01 22:02

Wanda,
the simplicity of this shot is simply striking. Warm colors almost every where with exception of the almost washed out sky and the dark green flora. The little cherry on the cake is that person walking through and shining as if you placed a flashlight on here. I like this detail a lot.
Good that people of the city put those big white signs on the wall making sure that everyone new knows which way to go ;-)
Peter

zeca (20026) 2008-10-01 22:06

Very nice crop, Wanda! The architecture is beautiful. They don´t need to paint it everyday and they don´t disturb the nature with any contrast of colour and shapes. ;-D Really beautiful! Its nice to see the girl walking, adding nice life to the photo.
Regards,
Zeca

InasiaJones (20703) 2008-10-01 22:45

Salut Wanda!

Good point here to leave a large space to the ground, as it allows to see the ruggedness of the place and also adds a sense of isolation. Good point also for the subject who couldn't fit better in the surrounding, or maybe accompanied by a donkey would have been worth one extra point... :-P)

You did a nice ninja job with your sword, cutting the upper part of the milky sky. You've just kept what needed to avoid "stuffing" the kasbah.

Okay, it's not your fault, but the big white arrows kind of take out the sense of authenticity... I think I would erase them... :-P)

As a movie fan, I find it very interesting to see that there's still some real locations used as sets, and not everything is converted to CGI.

Good one here Wanda, and I have to tell you that the colours seem better than the previous one I've commented on.

LOH! Write to you later... Everything is okay, I'm just busy!!..:-P)

André

Natasa-David (462) 2008-10-01 23:15

Hi Wanda.

Very nice photo. I like it. Good pov, nice colors and contrast. TFS!

If you havent already, come and check my gallery. There's everything for everyone! :-)

Greetings.
David

Jeppo (12106) 2008-10-01 23:29

ciao Wanda,

Ait Ben Haddou is one of the place I loved most during my Moroccan trip.
I like the particular light of this picture..not too strong...but still warm.
the lady passing by provides with some pleasant life and dynamic

tfs
Silvio

PS: this is also a very inspiring place as you can see

Floydian (30970) 2008-10-02 1:30

Hoi Wanda,
Ik was hier maar heel even en heb tot op de dag van vandaag nog steeds spijt dat ik niet langer ben gebleven en ook dat ik niet naar binnen ben geweest. Later besefte ik wat voor unieke locatie dit is. Ik ben niet eens het kleine riviertje oevrgestoken...dom dom dom, want jij laat mooi zien hoe je dit van dichtbij kunt vastleggen in mooi sober licht....mooie presentatie.
Groetjes, Henk

Gerrit (36269) 2008-10-02 6:26

Hi Wanda, een prachtige plek genomen vanuit een prima POV. Het meisje met de mand is een geweldige toevoeging, perfect geplaatst.
Groeten Gerrit

Sistercosmo (2689) 2008-10-02 10:18

Hi Wanda,
a great composition, especially with the lady walking in front. The dry river bed leads the eye nicely to the Kasbah. Shame that they had to paint white arrows on it. Great work!
Thanks and take care,
Linda

jonathan_hart (22627) 2008-10-02 13:46

i've read the previous critiques, and must say everything is already said, about the beauty of the place, the good detail human element, the arrows, the fine format, i'll add that i didn't notice at first glance the presence of the woman, well it's surely because her clothes are quite well matched with the environement
regards
jc

hispic (7399) 2008-10-02 19:51

Hi Wanda,
The depiction of light faintly hitting the lady who is walking toward the opposite direction against arrows is excellent. Big basket bag suits her very much.
Have a nice day, Hisashi

scalerman (25787) 2008-10-04 15:03

Wanda: of course, this one went straight into the desktop favorites folder. Beautiful composition - reminds me of the old lithographs of David Roberts from Egypt. Great! c