The Maghreb, Episode 1
Morocco is a country that awakens in the photographer a desire for adventure.
From the green mountains of the northern Rif to the arid hot desert of Erg Chebbi, the country offers endless opportunities to get fantastic photographs we have always dreamed of.
Perhaps for Spaniards like me Morocco doesn’t seem so exotic and remote as it does to European or American photographers. Barely 75 km separate Spain and this African country. However, as soon as we enter Morocco, we realize how different the culture and customs of the people are, in addition to a unique and visually appealing aesthetic. It captivates our attention and delights us with images that are impossible to get in our society.
This has been my second trip to the Maghreb, and I haven’t found big differences regarding the situation in the country or the attitude of the people. However, I have had a much deeper and more intimate experience, since this time I traveled alone. It has allowed me to fraternize with local people who have crossed my path in one way or another, as tourist guides, vendors, hotel staff…
When I left home, I had a pretty good idea about the itinerary I was going to follow. However, anytime I had the chance, I improvised and changed my direction depending on my mood or my inspiration. After three days in the busy Fes, I headed to the desert of Erg Chebbi. First, I had intended to go to Marrakesh, but my mind was asking for peace and quiet. Fez lived up to my expectations in terms of getting great footage, but ran out my patience and ability to focus.
This trip to Morocco was certainly one of the most rewarding and enriching I have done so far, both for traveling alone and for the magnificent results that I have achieved. I was very lucky with the weather and the people who kindly helped me throughout my stay. And it was also very important the formidable equipment I have used: DSLR Sony A99 and Sony FS700, lent by Sony Spain, and Xlidercam-M, lent by KietaCAM. Without this material my work would not have been made possible. Therefore I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Javier Agueda, Belen Arronte and Jose Hernandez.
In the next post I will tell you more about my trip, with more details about the itinerary, locations and how I planed and shot my footage, both in video and time-lapse. If you enjoyed this, check out an article by my friends from Overland Site about their trip to Morocco, here.
See you!