In the narrow and shaded streets, Sfax, a photo from Sfax, North

Photographer's Note

In the narrow and shaded streets, Sfax

Unusually, the streets of the Medina are mainly laid out on a rectangular plan, presumably inherited from the Roman town.
Rue Mongi Slim runs through the Medina from south to north. In Rue de la Driba, which goes off on the right, are a number of houses with handsome and imposing doorways; and in a side street opening off it on the left is the interesting Folk Museum.

The medina even got special quarters for old trades like locally-made jewellery and iron products.
Even better, the place is really friendly. Sfaxians are said to feel above the needs of alluring foreign visitors, but that doesn't mean that they are unfriendly. On the contrary, Sfax medina is a place where people show genuine hospitality to its guests.

The medina is of such a nice quality that it has been used as a location for international movies, like The English Patient.

Sfax

Sfax (Arabic: صفاقس‎, Safaqis, or /sfa:qs/ in Tunisian Arabic, whence the French name) is a city in Tunisia, located 270 km (168 miles) southeast of Tunis. The city, founded in AD 849 on the ruins of Taparura and Thaenae, is the capital of the Sfax governorate, and a Mediterranean port on the Gulf of Gabes. Sfax has population of 340,000 (2005), and is an industrial center for processing phosphates. The city is often described as Tunisia's Second city, because only Tunis has more inhabitants.

History

By the end of the 10th century Sfax had become an independent city state. The city was conquered by Roger of Sicily in 1148 and occupied until it was liberated in 1156 by local forces, and was briefly occupied by European forces again, this time by the Spanish, in the 16th century. Sfax became an integral base of the Barbary piracy, prompting an unsuccessful invasion by Venice in 1785. In the late 19th century Sfax and the rest of Tunisia were conquered by France and incorporated into the French empire. During World War II, the Axis powers used the city as a major base until they were defeated by British forces. After World War II, Tunisia was returned to France only to gain independence in 1956. (Source: patrimoinedetunisie.com & wikipedia)

KLB, snunney, ktanska, ChrisJ, jlbrthnn, John_F_Kennedy, Gerrit, vasilpro, Cretense, lousat, Graal, portmanndominic, asajernigan, AiresSantos, JCG, Wanda1 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

npecanhuk (53913) 2009-09-17 1:53

Hello George!
Walking along those narrow streets in ancient cities and towns all over the world is always a real pleasure!
Your example here is wonderful!
The vertical format, pov, sharpness, exposure and dof are all excellent! The composition is effective and attractive with all the elements so nicely placed in the frame and the pretty natural looking human figures!
TFS - congratulations!
My warmest regards,
Neyvan

KLB (23713) 2009-09-17 1:58

Hi George

I really like this walk in the medina !
Narrow streets are the ideal place to prevent from the sun, I love them ;o)

You've captured an interesting daily life scene.
Very good idea to present the "soul" of Sfax.
Great light management, and quality as usual striking.
Compliments.

Regards
Karine

gildasjan (38228) 2009-09-17 1:59

Bonjour George
Une tonalité chaude du lieu bien rendue.Une scène de vie bien cadrée en vertical.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
gildas

Morac (27419) 2009-09-17 2:02

Bonjour George,

Une belle vue très authentique d'une ruelle de médina : la présence des personnes donne une vie intéressante à ce cliché.
Amicalement
Marc

snunney (67394) 2009-09-17 2:07

Hello George,
A pleasing daily life capture of this little street with its old houses. An image with lots of atmosphere. Very good sharpness.

ktanska (21527) 2009-09-17 2:44

Hi George,
Strong feeling of daily life that hasn't changed much through decades. Harmonous all brown colours created by light reflecting from sandstone walls. Vertical framing fits well.
Kari

francio64 (38188) 2009-09-17 2:53

Ciao George,
interessante immagine che documenta il tipo di vita vissuta in questo luogo.

Well done!
Francesco

subhendu_bagchi (16590) 2009-09-17 3:12

Namaste George,
a beautiful daily life scene from this narrow lane. Depth is superb here. Nice golden light in all over the lane. The man with bag creating a dramatic ambiance here. Great work.
Have a nice day.
Subhendu

ChrisJ (86902) 2009-09-17 3:40

Hello George

Good warm yellow ochre colours with excellent sharpness & linear perspective. The guy with his hand out the door, looks like he's expecting a tip! Tfs!

jlbrthnn (79773) 2009-09-17 4:20

Hello george,
I like this image where the life and people are authentic. A photo not very easy to make, with the strong light. framing is excellent and clearness is good. Cheer.
Have a nice day.
Cordially.
Joël

delpeoples (45006) 2009-09-17 4:37

Hi George, the tones here are luminous, especially considering that you were working in complete shade. Congratulations also on the DOF. I probably would have cropped out the square drain in the FG, but that is a minor thing. Excellent work, your photos really are a pleasure to view, Lisa.

John_F_Kennedy (41368) 2009-09-17 4:40

Hello George,
Very nice impression. The lighting is perfect. Its a superb composition and beautiful colours.
Best wishes,
Achim

jurek1951 (35765) 2009-09-17 5:45

Hi George,
This is a great composition, wonderful sharp colours and details,amazing light,
Georg

Silvio1953 (98217) 2009-09-17 6:37

Ciao George, great view of lovely alley, beautiful composition with bike and interesting people, very well done, ciao Silvio

Gerrit (43743) 2009-09-17 8:03

Hi George,
good candid daily life shot. Great light management.
regards, Gerrit

vasilpro (40194) 2009-09-17 8:09

Hello George,
Excellent daily life composition in Tunisia, very narrow street with traditional architecture. TFS!
Have a nice evening, Vasilis.

TopGeo (37994) 2009-09-17 9:01

Hi George! Interesting picture of narrow streets of city and scene of daily life Important frame and depth!Great colours and light management, Very good sharpness and quality .
Compliments.

Regards
Georgios

mesutilgim (68014) 2009-09-17 9:05

Hello George,
I like this almost "monochrome" Northafrican street scenes.
Here you've again choses correct format to give all the geometry of the scenery.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Cretense (68663) 2009-09-17 11:51

Hello George!

Beautiful architecture photo and beautiful daily life scene! Great composition and framing, great light management! congratulations!

Hercules

john1 (4028) 2009-09-17 13:40

Hello George,

Interessant view of a pitoresque street of Médina.
Excellent sharpness and perspective.
Amazing light, people give ambiance of the composition.
Have a good day.
john

lousat (57704) 2009-09-17 16:11

Hi George,a different perspective in your tunisian collection..very nice idea this pic too,another time my best compliments for your very very very interesting gallery about this land that i know and love.A great adverstising for the future tourists! Have a nice day,Luciano

jjcordier (62366) 2009-09-17 22:42

George
Belle image, très caractéristique de la médina de Sfax. Bonne composition avec les personnages bien placés qui animent cette étroite ruelle.
Amicalement
JJ

Graal (88950) 2009-09-17 23:51

Jó napot George,
good shot, an interesting scene on the backstreet. Really daily life. Well quality of photo.
Gr., Aleksander

portmanndominic (2400) 2009-09-18 1:34

Bonjour Georges

Bravo pour cet instané des ruelles de Sfax par ces habitants cette rue n'en est que plus vivante
TFS
Bon week end
Dominic

amaryllis (30149) 2009-09-18 8:49

Bonjour Georg
une très belle photo de cette ruelle avec de l'animation, une lumière extra et un format à la verticale également
belles couleurs douces et bon week end
juliette

asajernigan (19669) 2009-09-18 17:19

George,
This is a well composed shot with the narrow alley leading the eye through the shot. The bicycle and man in the foreground adds nice interest to the scene. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and detail.
TFS,
Asa

pablominto (53744) 2009-09-19 23:48

Hello George,

A picturesque scene, made lively by the presence of people!
A stunning colour palette is adding to the back alley mood, excellent details in the old architecture...
And a great feeling of depth, of course!

Greetings,
Pablo -

AiresSantos (56155) 2009-09-21 0:09

Hi George
Fine perspective of this narrow street in Sfax. Beautiful daily life picture with excellent light
TFS and have a nice week
Aires

BeBeHooker (0) 2009-09-22 2:56

Hi George!
Very interesting narrow street, interesting man and boy, original work. Good take.
Cheers!

JCG (35129) 2009-09-23 3:36

Hello Georg,

Interesting sight on this narrow lane of Sfax. Light which did not seem easy to manage that you controlled well on this image. Places which must be very alive. The man on the right seems rather surprised… Interesting photograph and full with atmosphere, well done Georg and thank you for the instructive comment.

With all my friendships and a very good day,

Jean-Charles

Wanda1 (13950) 2009-09-25 1:15

Hi George,
I really like these kind of little narrow streets and alleways. Lovely warm yellows with just a few spots of blue breaking the colour. Good detail.
Regards
Wanda