Smoke and Sparks by Benjamin Mercer

Thursday, 3rd April 2008

Smoke and Sparks

by Benjamin Mercer

An alleyway in the metal working area of the Marrakech Souk, Morocco, showing the harsh daily lives of the inhabitants.

Equipment: Canon 350D, Sigma 18-125mm

Benjamin Mercer

Graphic designer and keen amateur photographer. Will have a go at photographing anything, but primarily interested in landscape and seascape images.

www.henroben.co.uk

16 Comments

Eileen Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:19 am
I love this sort of photo. Because they really do speak a thousand words. They show that people all over the world work, just work to get ahead. To get anywhere. Good job. Great shot. EZ
Reuben Chircop Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:22 am
I like this shot very much and even the lighting and that misty effect, even though I would have loved them not to be looking to the photographer i mean as if they were un-noticing your presence, but thats me I like the natural effect. The reflection of the sun on the floor is just incredibly beautiful.
Tommy Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:27 am
Interesting. Where do they make hash?
Anurag Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:31 am
Good job , but for me the lower left corner is a bit too dark.
Pauline Jones Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
Good atmosphere; well executed.
Eli Shams Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
I like tha action, the light, and all details. A great photo.
Benjamin Mercer Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
Thank you everyone for your comments.

Just a bit of background info - this was a very short alleyway, the point of view is from one end and the other end is just past the person welding. There was no way I wasn’t going to be noticed taking a photo. Plus a couple of tourists had just walked around the corner behind me, which is what’s attracting the attention of the two boys.

Yes, the lower left corner is a bit dark, but it was tricky lighting conditions & I was mainly interested in capturing the light coming through the smoke - which is what I exposed for.
Ann Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I like the concept and idea behind this shot. Can well imagine the light conditions being tricky, but you have captured the atmosphere, and it tells a story. Those tourists are pesky nuisances, spoiled many a shot for me. Well done anyway and congrats.
Renee Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Very interesting i think this photo is really good..it sure does tell the story or your mind open to think!
Linda Jones Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Great story and message to us earthlings.
Dennis Says:
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Excellent mood shot. It really puts you in the scene. The 350D handled the dynamic range very well.
Jacob Maentz Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Excellent capture and I love the emotion and mood set by the light.
Anurag Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Benjamin, thats where I feel the digital dark room can help.

For those who squirm at the very mention of photoshop - Nobody complained about dodging and burning in the good old days of the enlarger. as Ansell Adams himself said “The negative is the musical score and the print is the performance”
Aneta Says:
April 5th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Although not exactly the same setting, this looks like a scene from The Kite Runner.
Pieter -sAner- van der Horst Says:
April 6th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Love the light and the overall atmosphere.
Sue Gagnon Says:
April 7th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Now this is a cool shot. I love photographs that tell a succinct story through images, and you have done just that here. Nicely done…Your efforts are not lost with this photo.