The Photodiarist In Color

In the Atlas Mountains

 

 

 

 

Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Inspiration: I am a fan of the black and white photo. But Morocco offers some colorful moments!

The Berber Gentleman

A Berber Village in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco 

Inspiration: While heading through the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate, we stopped in the market (the sides of the road in the center of town) of a Berber village. Moroccans and Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid Al-Adha tomorrow.  This date marks the end of the Hajj, which is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. In preparation for the big day (on which people join their families for prayer and a feast), people crowded this market place in order to buy and sell the goods that they required. Buckets of produce lined the sides of the road, donkeys lay about, cats, dogs and people criss-crossed the street and Berber men hauled sheep into the market by the truckloads to be slaughtered. I have to admit that it was hard to look into the eyes of these animals, knowing that shortly, their bleats would be silenced forever. In any event, I digress. Of all of the faces in the crowd, this man's distinguished profile caught my eye. He was selling fruit and seemed to be in the middle of a negotiation.

Essaouira: Blue Boats

Essaouira, Morocco

Inspiration: I live in one of the busiest cities in the world, yet I was not prepared for the frenetic pace of Marrakech. So today, we drove to Essaouira, one of Morocco's port cities, a blue and white beach town, and a wonderful respite from the pink city. Back to Marrakech tomorrow, and then to the Atlas Mountains.

 

Marrakech

Marrakech: Rue Mouassine

Inspiration: I am in Marrakech this week.  I have been looking forward to this trip for a while, especially from a photographic point of view. In that regard, however, I am not sure that I am doing this city justice. The pace in the souks rivals that of New York. Moreover, it has taken us a while to figure out where we are going, so I haven't had much time to "see" photographic moments. Instead, I've been trying to "see" indications of street signs or markers. Additionally, if you have never been to Marrakech, the first time is visually overwhelming - especially in the souks. There are so many things being sold and so many sellers trying to lure you into their shops that the experience is almost stressful. The last hurdle that I have encountered when taking photographs here is that for the most part, people do not want to be photographed. One of my guidebooks mentioned something about a notion that the camera will steal one's soul. That's not quite it. Apparently, it is against Islamic law to take photographs or to create drawings of living things. If I am not mistaken, though, the sin of doing so lies with the photographer and not the person in the photograph.  While there are a few people who don't care and some who actually pose (for a few dirhams), most people, upon spying my camera, walk away or put their hands up and smile.  So, if you see people in my photos, it's because I caught them by accident or I was permitted to take the photograph.

Marrakech: In the Souks

Inspiration: As I could not take many photos with people in them, I found myself taking shots of walls, doors, windows and such.

Marrakech: Rue Mouassine

Inspiration: The wares on the street make for incredibly colorful walks.

Marrakech: Rue Sidi El Yamani

Inspiration: The Medina is teeming with people on mopeds, donkeys bearing all kinds of goods on their backs, horses pulling buggies, salesmen pulling tourists into stores, tourists picking up trinkets and bumping into salesmen, and kids playing footie. So, I was surprised to see this quiet little spot on one of the main streets.

Marrakech: In the Souks

Inspiration: Here's one of the few people who allowed me to take his photo (for a small fee of course). Not so different from some of the folks in my city who charge for photos.

A Leafy Carpet

New York: Gramercy Park

Inspiration: A leafy carpet on which I slipped and almost crashed to the ground. Just so you know, the romantic idea of walking through a pile of leaves and kicking them up in the air only makes sense when the leaves aren't wet and you are wearing shoes with traction soles. Those bars surrounding the park saved my hide from what would have been a rather sloppy fall. 

That Hat . . .

New York: Union Square

Inspiration: The fuzzy knit hat! Loved it. 

Soaking up the Sun

New York: Washington Square Park

Inspiration: Sunday was a wonderfully sunny day. Tons of people came out to soak up the sun in Washington Square Park.  We are on the edge of real winter, so we've got to appreciate this weather! 

On the Steps

New York: Thompson and West Houston in Soho

Inspiration: I used to dislike mathematics. Okay. . . I still dislike mathematics. Except for geometry. 

Reflected Nature in New York

New York: Central Park

Inspiration: Thank god for Central Park. Our green oasis in the middle of urban grays.

Sunset in East Hampton

East Hampton, Long Island, New York

Inspiration: I think that the photos say it all.