Photography in Morocco
(Moroccan Proverb) Morocco (the full Arabic name is Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah which translates into “The Western Kingdom”)
A Photography Recce and Shoot in Morocco
In times past, Western Sahara or Morocco to be precise has featured in many film productions and photoshoots. Its climate is perfect for our winter and allows commercial shoots to prevail. Films such as The Mummy were filmed at the famous studios in Ouarzazate, other blockbuster productions include Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Jewel of the Nile and The Man Who Would be King to name just a few. I too have been lucky for the opportunity to work in Morocco on two previous occasions.
Some interesting facts about Morocco.
- Population: 38 million people (2021)
- Capital: Rabat with 1.8 million inhabitants
- Name: Kingdom of Morocco
- Government: Parliamentary Monarchy
- Language: Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are official languages, while French is often spoken
- Religion: Muslim 99% (Sunni)
- Currency: 1 Moroccan Dirham = 100 Centimes
- National Day: 30 July (Throne Day remembers the ascension of King Mohammed VI)
- National Animal: lion, pentacle (five pointed star which is also known as Solomon’s seal)
- National Colours: red and green
- National Anthem: The Cherifian Anthem – listen here
- Chief of State: King Mohammed VI (since 1999)
- History: Morocco gained independence from France in 1956.
Blog for photographers: I just started a fun menswear photo session that gave me the chance to experiment with the rich tones and textures of several film types. To convey the spirit of the collection, I used a variety of films, such as the vivid colour work of Fujichrome and the timeless black and white pair of T-Max 100 and 400 for their superb tonal range and grain structure.
Working with tungsten-balanced film was one of the most fascinating components; it produced an amazing colour shift for outside scenes and provided a distinct warmth to inside pictures. Throughout the shoot, I was able to generate unique moods and adjust to varying lighting situations thanks to the diversity of film stocks available.
Using Polaroid film, I did a location scout before the main shot. For exploring and imagining potential shots, this quick medium proved to be really helpful. Polaroids were instantaneous, so I could evaluate each location’s lighting, composition, and general vibe right away.
One of my favourite aspects of my work is location scouting in unique and fascinating places. But it’s essential to put security first, particularly while operating in unfamiliar or hazardous regions. It’s generally advisable to work with a local guide who can aid with logistical issues that may come up during on-location filming, assure security, and understand cultural subtleties.
In addition to being a useful tool, these preliminary Polaroids played a crucial role in the creative process, helping to shape the menswear campaign’s final look. My work is continuously inspired by the unique combination of careful planning and spontaneity that comes with film shooting, which pushes the boundaries of fashion images.
The drive from Marrakech to Zagora is an exciting trip in and of itself, passing through stunning landscapes that provide photo opportunities at every bend. Ascending to the 2,260-metre Tizi n’Tichka pass, we crossed the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains. The route then crossed the verdant Draa Valley, where old kasbahs and palm oasis dot the landscape, before eventually entering the dry pre-Saharan region close to Zagora.
The difficulties of driving in Morocco were foremost in my mind when I planned my scouting. In addition to drivers that don’t always follow the regulations of the road, the weather and road conditions can be very unpredictable. A local film production firm and guide were recruited by us to ensure efficiency and safety. With their help, we were able to successfully traverse the cultural and logistical challenges of filming in Morocco in addition to the physical landscape.
Meeting the world-famous “Tombouctou 52 jours” (Timbuktu 52 days) sign in Zagora was an unforgettable experience. This famous monument was erected to commemorate the region’s role as a crossing point for the trans-Saharan trade routes and the Sahara Desert.
We passed through many checkpoints along the way; this is typical when venturing outside of Morocco’s main tourist areas. These might be daunting for those who aren’t familiar, but having our guide on our side made the experience much easier.
During our location scouting, I captured the spirit of each possible filming site using a mix of film and digital cameras. Striking fashion pictures was both a problem and an opportunity amid the harsh desert light and stunning scenery.
Having done this recce, I now know how crucial it is to prepare ahead, particularly when shooting in a difficult and fascinating place like Morocco. We were able to make the most of our time and produce one-of-a-kind photographs that combine high fashion with the natural beauty of the Moroccan desert thanks to the knowledge we received on this trip, which was essential for the forthcoming fashion shoot.
Be aware of pointing your camera at people, less so in the city but more in the provinces. We had one such problem near to an oasis which was super and a classic look of date palms, water, donkeys and the brown mud buildings and kasbah
(In Morocco the Arabic word form of kasbah frequently refers to multiple buildings in a keep, a citadel, or several structures behind a defensive wall.)
I pointed my camera at a small group of traditionally dressed women. They immediately were offended and this escalated very quickly. Men poured out from everywhere and began following us.
We quickly moved backwards, turned and fled to the relative safety of our Nissan Patrols. We managed to drive away unscathed but travellers should be aware, especially these days with smartphone image captures.
This little photograph of the local youngsters was a happy moment. They were all more than happy to have their photograph taken. Early evening we spent walking around the
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
All the way along we looked for great landscapes and anything else which could be needed. Careful with the of food if you have a delicate stomach, I would recommend Chicken Tagine as the food is cremated in a way that will kill off any germs. I had already learned this from my previous experience where I noticed how the chef waved his hands across a fly-ridden chicken and proceeded to cook our meal.
This gentleman was a famous Blue Man of the desert wearing his classic blue outfit. We. were welcomed into his tent for a lovely cup of mint tea. Sweetened quite a lot and maybe an acquired taste.
Location recce was always shot Polaroid these were then cut and pasted into my location polaroid book, later after dinner I would share this with the client and from there I would work on model selection and clothes selection in readiness for the shoot and these images or some of them anyway are featured below.
The square in Marrakech is famous for coming alive in the early evening in a melting pot of creative food processes and pop up restaurants.
The whole trip meant a lot of driving and we had taken a guide for safety, at some parts of the journey there were checkpoints but also at this time in the world you can’t be too careful. We had shot all of the landscapes with the ultra-wide format Fuji 617 film camera shooting 4 frames per 120 roll, all on Fujichrome and not in digital format.
Unfortunately, I only have some scanned pages from my polaroid books that remain and regret that I have no others but I plan to share these in the coming weeks.
I would love to go back to shooting documentary photography that documented the whole country and its rich heritage. Interesting that you can still enjoy the ambience even when working for clients. it is all about the balance and trust you set up in advance.
