Aït Benhaddou – Stuck in Customs
4
Feb 2023 : Saturday
filed under  Aït Benhaddou, Camera Gear, Morocco, Sony A7R, Travel

Where Daenerys Targaryen Dragon-Roasted The Slavers

Daily Photo – Where Daenerys Targaryen Dragon-Roasted The Slavers

Here’s another one of the images from my 1000 Stories from 1000 Places NFT drop. It sold out in minutes, but they are now available to trade on OpenSea and X2Y2, etc so be sure to check them out.

This is a Aït Benhaddou, an incredible kasbah near Ouarzazate, Morocco. I’ve always wanted to visit this place ever since I saw it in Gladiator. It’s the place where Russell Crowe was taken on a stretcher and where he learned to become a gladiator. You may also remember it if you watch Game of Thrones. It’s one of the spots where Daenerys took her dragons with the unsullied.

I don’t set up for a lot of selfies because I’m not a vapid Instagram influencer that tries to sell you a special tea that helps your chakras. However, this is a rare selfie.

Where Daenerys Targaryen Dragon-Roasted The Slavers

Photo Information

  • Date Taken2014-03-11 00:03:01
  • CameraILCE-7R
  • Camera MakeSony
  • Exposure Time1/750
  • Aperture9.5
  • ISO250
  • Focal Length16.0 mm
  • FlashOff, Did not fire
  • Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
  • Exposure Bias

Comments
25
Jul 2018 : Wednesday
filed under  Aït Benhaddou, Morocco, Sahara Desert, Travel

On the Way to Algeria

New article on Petapixel

They seem to have a lot of people that complain about everything under the sun in the comments, but that didn’t stop me from doing a full analysis of the new bag that was just released on Kickstarter.

You have no idea where camels really come from

Well, maybe you do… but I found this to be a complete surprise! It also reminds me that I should watch more TED talks!

Daily Photo – On the Way to Algeria

When I was in Morocco, I decided I needed to get way out of town into the Sahara desert to really lean into it. I rode a camel and everything. Believe me, riding a camel is not fun at all. I thought it would be a bit like riding a horse, but it definitely wasn’t. I’ve now ridden on about five different camels in various countries (Morocco, Egypt, Oman), and I can tell you every experience was negative. I tried to have a good attitude about it and embrace the romance and adventure of it, but not even my positivity could overcome a continually negative experience. Just over those dunes there in the distance was Algeria. I almost crossed over, but my guides there warned me it was a bit dangerous.

On the Way to Algeria

Photo Information

  • Date Taken2014-03-08 06:48:40
  • CameraILCE-7R
  • Camera MakeSony
  • Exposure Time1/250
  • Aperture5
  • ISO100
  • Focal Length70.0 mm
  • FlashOff, Did not fire
  • Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
  • Exposure Bias

Comments
4
Feb 2015 : Wednesday
filed under  Aït Benhaddou, Morocco, Photography Tips

Along the road on the way to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco

A Long Year in Africa

So this year I spent about two months in Africa, and I feel very lucky for it! I spent the vast majority of it early in the year here in Morocco and then the second month was later in the year down in the south. What a huge place Africa is… I guess we all know it is pretty huge from the map, but when you actually get there, it’s pretty much beyond comprehension!

Daily Photo – Along the road on the way to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco

Here’s a photo of some Moroccan men along the side of the road on the desert-side of the Atlas Mountains. The way this look was achieved is with a little bit of compression-magic. I used a 300mm lens, which made that awesome old city behind them loom large and soft. I felt lucky to have this nice arrangement of colors… the nice cool blue of their dress with the warmth of the old buildings behind.

Along the road on the way to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco

Photo Information

  • Date Taken2014-03-09 03:09:29
  • CameraILCE-7R
  • Camera MakeSony
  • Exposure Time1/640
  • Aperture5.6
  • ISO100
  • Focal Length300.0 mm
  • FlashOff, Did not fire
  • Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
  • Exposure Bias-0.3

Comments
18
Oct 2014 : Saturday
filed under  Aït Benhaddou, Camera Gear, Morocco, Photography Tips, Sony A7R

Approaching Aït Benhaddou

Five Days of New Tips/Tricks Videos on the Blog! Day Two!

Let me know if you have any questions… happy to answer!

Here’s a collection of behind-the-scenes videos from Morocco. I started at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat them moved on to Fes when I was at Ryad Alaya (highly recommended – thanks Hassan!)

Using many different cameras!

I’ve been using a bunch of different Sony cameras lately! While in Africa, I used a Sony A7, A7r, A7s, and an A6000 (come see the new Sony A6000 Review!) Whenever I get some time, I’m gonna write up a few more reviews… they are all cool and interesting in their own way! I don’t want to make it over-complex, of course… Naturally, you can always check out the Camera Equipment page where I have recommendations.

Daily Photo – Approaching Aït Benhaddou

What an amazing spot this is! After spending about three weeks in Morocco, I finally approached this incredible fortified city. It is right in the middle of a caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, which is the same route I was on! This place is mostly abandoned, but there are still eight families that live on the inside…

There have been many famous movies made here including The Last Temptation of Christ, Kundun, The Mummy, Gladiator, and The Prince of Persia. There were even a few scenes from Game of Thrones shot here!

Approaching Aït Benhaddou

Photo Information

  • Date Taken2014-03-11 00:34:33
  • CameraILCE-7R
  • Camera MakeSony
  • Exposure Time1/3000
  • Aperture5.6
  • ISO400
  • Focal Length300.0 mm
  • FlashOff, Did not fire
  • Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
  • Exposure Bias

Comments
29
Jul 2014 : Tuesday
filed under  Aït Benhaddou, Marrakech, Morocco

A Mosque in the Atlas Mountains

Up in the air during the daily call to prayer

One of the coolest things about being in Marrakech was being up high when the mosques call their faithful to come pray many times per day. From the top of every mosque you hear all kinds of sounds and songs… I have no idea what they are saying, but it does sound kind of awesome.

Daily Photo – A Mosque in the Atlas Mountains

It was a long and windy drive from Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech, but it was totally stunning. There were about ten other places I wanted to stop in the mountains, but I didn’t have the time. But maybe this one mosque was just enough. I was surprised there was still snow on the mountains, and it made for the perfect background.

A Mosque in the Atlas Mountains

Photo Information

  • Date Taken2014-03-11 01:47:23
  • CameraILCE-7R
  • Camera MakeSony
  • Exposure Time1/1000
  • Aperture6.7
  • ISO320
  • Focal Length85.0 mm
  • FlashOff, Did not fire
  • Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
  • Exposure Bias

Comments
5
Jun 2014 : Thursday
filed under  Aït Benhaddou, Camera Gear, Morocco, Sony A7R

Hay!

Third-World Crazy Vehicle Situations

Whenever I am in places that are far away and I see people doing insane things with vehicles, it never ceases to amaze. And most things I see seem to appear totally unsafe, and more or less like fraternity pranks! What’s the craziest thing you have seen?

Daily Photo – Hay!

I can’t believe this thing has somehow evaded the principals of Newtonian physics! When I pulled into a small kasbah called Aït Benhaddou in the desert to take some photos, I saw this huge truck full of hay rumbling past. I barely kept my wits about me to take a photo just after it passed.

On the plus side, it must be very easy to get the hay off the truck!

Hay!

Photo Information

  • Date Taken2014-03-10 23:42:06
  • CameraILCE-7R
  • Camera MakeSony
  • Exposure Time1/200
  • Aperture9
  • ISO200
  • Focal Length15.0 mm
  • FlashOff, Did not fire
  • Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
  • Exposure Bias+1.3

Comments
26
Apr 2014 : Saturday
filed under  Aït Benhaddou, Morocco, Sony A7R, Travel

Where Daenerys Targaryen Dragon-Roasted the Slavers

Game of Thrones Season 4

Are you watching it? Did you read the books? Let me know! I read 4/5 books before watching the series, and I’m so excited to see it on the big screen… such an awesome show! 🙂

Daily Photo – Where Daenerys Targaryen Dragon-Roasted the Slavers

This is a Aït Benhaddou, an incredible kasbah near Ouarzazate, Morocco. I’ve always wanted to visit this place ever since I saw it in Gladiator. It’s the place where Russell Crowe was taken on a stretcher and where he learned to become a gladiator. You may also remember it if you watch Game of Thrones. It’s one of the spots where Daenerys took her dragons with the unsullied.

Where Daenerys Targaryen Dragon-Roasted the Slavers

Photo Information

  • Date Taken2014-03-11 00:03:01
  • CameraILCE-7R
  • Camera MakeSony
  • Exposure Time1/750
  • Aperture9.5
  • ISO250
  • Focal Length16.0 mm
  • FlashOff, Did not fire
  • Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
  • Exposure Bias

Comments