Photography tips | Composition part 1

'abstract'-photography workshops in Essaouira, MoroccoDiagonal lines

How we read images is naturally important to the ‘rules’ of composition, our gaze follows lines conforming to patterns we can find within the frame.  In western cultures we tend to unconsciously view images starting with the upper left corner. Therefore a diagonal line running from upper left to bottom right is in consensus to how we would unconsciously start to view an image.  If a line runs in the inverted direction from upper right to bottom left this is perceived as more challenging for the eye, creating a dynamic feeling and sense of movement within the frame.  This has implications for the photographer when choosing the right composition.  Whether to encourage dynamism within a frame or quieten down an overly busy image.

For Photography Holidays at Xmas time why not get in touch…

photography holidays at xmas timeIf the weather in the UK doesn’t offer too many prospects at Xmas time then there’s the option of fleeing to sunny Morocco for a photography holiday in Essaouira. July’s week of photography these past 7 days produced 9 excellent galleries.  Jo, Eloise and Karen (her phone opportunity was well spotted) learnt a lot judging by their photos and came up with some superb images of people and locations here in Essaouira.  After a week’s sun and good food I think they’ll be quietly missing the town’s Medina and ambience.  Things are calm here in Morocco despite the upheavals of the region and in Essaouira events rarely stir the town’s laid back atmosphere. During their week we ran workshops: in how to use their digital SLR, understanding and controlling exposure using histograms; finding and framing for abstract images; learning how to shoot portraits; trying to capture people on location and finally there was a landscape workshop on the Wednesday afternoon preceded by a nice lunch above the valley at Sid M’Bark.  In all, a full week of photography.  You can view Karen’s, Eloises’ and Jo’s galleries here.

There has never been as much choice for photography holidays via searches on the internet so how do you choose the holiday for you?  Here at Images we pride ourselves on offering an exotic week staying in a lovely Riad as well as a week’s intensive photography.  We also like to promote course participants work so you can see the fruits of our labour!

So thoughts turn to Xmas:  We’re offering a week’s holiday with a partner or friend with two night’s free accommodation here in Essaouira or Marrakesh.  So why not check our offers page for available dates and book ahead to secure the best flight fares for this December.

Holidays in the Sun & the missing bells of Essaouira

Exotic charm and a haven for the senses.  Essaouira is an ideal location for a winter break learning photography.

 

There is a wealth of opportunities for learning photography and taking excellent photographs here. Visiting Morocco is never dull, there is always something to see and do, nothing is sanitised for tourists, you get the real deal. Visit a camel market, wander through the surrounding souks and enjoy local fresh food, totally organic and without chemicals, fresh fish and spices galore. All of this within the backdrop of some of the most stunning architectural structures in Africa.

The medina in Essaouira is much less intimidating than its Marrakesh neighbour and is feast for the senses.  As well as all the spices you can think of curious objects abound mostly made from Thuja, a rare and endangered hardwood, its marquetry made Essaouira’s reputation as far back as the 18th century.  The multitude of designs Thuja can be put to is quite astounding. The level of craftsmanship is very high in the region.  Jewellery is another specialism in the town that somewhat faded in statue but nonethless the silver artefacts produced here are great value.

The Tanneries in the town are a pale shadow of the former industries that used to employ hundreds, but still the current small scale operations provide great spectacle if one can bare the strong odour of hides.  The skins stretched and dyed in the most striking colours usually provide the basis for lamp shades swirled into a variety of Arabic shapes and patterns sometimes adding henna to the skins.  The ‘skin lamps’ are the preserve of Essaouira and I can vouch for several years good usage out of them and they wonderful additions to any holiday home renovation.

In fact shopping in the souks here is provides endless hours of entertainment.  Finding time for photography in the last 2 days can prove quite a chore!  The shopkeepers are game for a chat and don’t take themselves too seriously; nor should you. Buying things in Morocco involves a lot of game playing.  If you’ve ever seen the scene in Monty Python’s ‘Life of Brian’ where Brian has to haggle despite willing to meet the asking price you’ll not what’s in store.  A holiday here livens the senses, the souks are small and intimate and it’s easy to navigate around them. You’ll feel quite at home and safe browsing by yourself here.  If not we have our own bespoke guide, Ali, who can work as your chief negotiator and finder of exactly what you’re looking for.  He once went by bus to Marrakesh and returned in the evening with a sample  of leather bags for one of the photography courses participants.

The coastline in Essaouira is just miles of unspoilt wide sandy beaches,  perfect for horse riding as the sun sets, as well as camel trekking and even quad biking that can take you on a mini dune adventure. Those aside there is much to do here including yoga classes, massages, kite surfing and should you wish; cycle hire.  Bikes and cycling are part of the ‘Souiri’ way of life, much like the Dutch in Amsterdam.  Old bikes here are very much de rigueur and more often cycled in a leisurely manner befitting a warm climate.  Rarely used by women for some reason they remain the preserve of older gentleman or youngsters for which I should validate the previous ‘leisurely’ assertion; the kids here use local shoppers to practice their manoeuvring skills!  Bells on bikes are non-existent although in some cases some improvisation with taped on plastic bottles effectively deputises.  With a car free Medina the occasional cycle is a welcome relief to the town shopping experience in most European towns.

Sunset time in Essaouira brings with it the opportunity to stroll along the town’s two main streets and beachfront for a spot of people watching. With the warm night time air it’s one of the must do holiday experiences of Essaouira and is favourite pastime of ‘Souiri’ residents especially the mothers and children who linger to play in the main square, Place Moulay Hassan. For visitors there are always new venues for dining and music and of course cafes in the squares draw in spectators and enthusiasts for the evening atmosphere in equal measure.  For a more aloof perspective of cafe life, two swanky bars overlook the main square, offering tapas and cocktails in comfortable ‘Mykonos’ style surroundings.

A holiday in Morocco wouldn’t be complete without experiencing Moroccan hospitality and here at Riad Maison du Sud, a warm welcome arrives in bundles. A truly authentic hotel in Essaouira, and located 300m from the sea, Riad Maison du Sud is a beautifully restored 18th Century Riad set in the heart of Essaouira’s bustling medina. Luxuriously renovated in Moorish style, the 24 roomed Riad offers an authentic mix of Moroccan and Andalusian architecture, design and style, making it the perfect boutique residence. The service at the Riad is attentive yet understated in the long tradition of Morocco’s finest establishments and it’s our first choice as a holiday base for our photography course.

 

Photography Holiday Offers in September

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We have two dates in September dovetailing with Easyjet’s sub £200 (cheaper) fares operating on Fridays from Gatwick.  Friday 2nd – 9th & Friday 9th – 16th are both priced at £805.00 offering 10% discount all inclusive for the week.

More news appears via the The Times travel photo competition.  We’ve been selected via our partners at GoLearnto to host the winners of a monthly photographic competition later this year. The lucky winners will of course receive all the tuition on offer here in Essaouira but also they’ll be staying in two of the double rooms here on the roof terrace at the lovely Riad Maison du Sud.

Finally check out a new portrait gallery from June’s workshops courtesy of Abby Payne.  Six stunning images showing what can be achieved here in Essaouira.  All the subjects were approached individually by Abby and demonstrate great photographic confidence.

 

 

 

5 star photography holidays

PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAY REVIEWS

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Well we’ve been doing something right on our photography holidays here in Essaouira, Morocco. Without tempting fate we’ve been given 5 stars by recent graduates, due in part to the wonderful location, atmosphere and service of the staff Maison du Sud where all guests stay during their week here. June’s workshop’s are drawing to a close and it’s a good opportunity to reflect on some impressive photography but more of that later…It’s perhaps an opportune time to announce future tour and holiday dates.  This October and the following February see us venture with small groups by 4×4 into the region of the Anti-Atlas in Morocco. We’ll be crossing the Tizi n’test pass which is rich in spectacular views, before descending down into Taroudant.  The tour also takes in Tata on the edge of the Sahara and Tafraoute situated in the middle of the Anti-Atlas before finishing in Marrakesh. It’s a 6 day tour guarenteed to hit the spot for landscape photography enthusiasts and those wishing to find out what the great traditions of landscape photography are all about.  The price is £695 or £625 is booked before the end of July. Read more about the workshop here.  Xmas and the new year also offer great possibilities for a photography holiday here in Essaouira. The average temperature is 18 degrees and there are many other activities to do apart from a week learning photography.  Essaouira’s beach and dunes of are perfect for horse riding and the Hammans are particularly inviting during the winter months. Prices start at £895 for 7 nights and start dates are flexible so get in touch. Photography Holidays in Morocco & Spain.

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RECENT HOLIDAY PARTICIPANTS

This month Adrian came to Essaouira on holiday and took a one-day workshop with us here at Maison du Sud. His selection of final gallery images produced some lovely surprises particularly this one of my friend Ali, shop owner and entrepreneur. The one-day workshop here in Essaouira is divided into a morning and early evening session, the first session focusing on camera controls and technique.  The evening session comprises of a tutor led tour of the Medina followed by an assessment of the photos taken and the selection for the online gallery, which is useful to have to shows friends and family back home.  We also cover a little post-production work using Photoshop.  Prices for the one-day photo-workshop are 750Dh which is about £60 so if you find yourself in Essaouira for just a short time then get in touch. Click on the link to read more about the workshops.

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Abby and Andrew have just completed their respective weeks in the sun. Andrew arriving the day, before got into his stride quickly, shooting some decent first images at the quite extraordinary visual experience that is the Sunday souk at Had Draa.  Both different in style and approach Abby and Andrew enjoyed their weeks and both now feel particularly confident photographing people. Abby rather excelled with her people gallery, Andrew preferring to find creative possibilities in shadows, a quite unique photography holidays gallery produced during my time here in Essaouira. photography-holidays-moroccoA & A can be seen left, entirely unposed! just outside the souk Idagouard which course participants visit on Wednesdays. Increasingly I’m using image manipulation programs, such as Aperture and Photoshop during the week’s course, to demonstrate the possibilities of controlling highlights and what can actually be recovered from an over-exposed image.  Understanding what software can achieve, can inform our use of histograms on location and encourage us to expose for the highlights and let the shadows areas fall away into darkness. It’s easier to “bring up’ the shadows than render detail in a “blown out” areas of white. Emma Simpson’s photo from last month, demonstrates what I mean.  She exposed correctly for the bright central area which on her camera led to a surrounding solid black area.  In post-production we brought up some of the foreground shadow detail offering more interest in the final image as seen right.

Abby’s & Andrew’s galleries can be viewed here.

You can book a photography holiday in Essaouira for £895 or visit our offers page for seasonal discounts. Alternatively check other news on recent course participants here.