The Men of Central Morocco

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Morocco | Thursday, October 14, 2010 | 5 photos

‘The Men of Central Morocco’ photographic series gives an insight into the male dominant cultures found across the region spanning from the High Altas Mountains, to the ancient city of Fes and to the bustling city of Marrakech. High in the Altas Mountains an inquisitive indigenous Berber man practices his English with passing tourists. Meanwhile, in the 40 degree heat a young man submerges himself into the grueling daily task of softening leather in ammonia rich baths. Fleeing the busy medina alleyways, a worker scales rooftops to lay softened leather to dry in the sun. Custom to the ancient city of Fes, the art of blue clay pottery is well known. However the superstition in Islamic culture that a photograph takes away your soul is not well known to an eager watching westerner. With his stall adorned in glowing lights, an array of dried produce awaits sale at the night markets in Marrakech.

Mentoring by National Geographic renowned photographer, Jason Edwards would be phenomenal. The opportunity to engage, observe and learn about local people, Buddhist customs, farm mountain life, architecture and wildlife in an ancient foreign world would be so exciting. I aim to expand my technical expertise and specifically learn from Jason’s experience of how to approach locals for portraiture without losing the integrity of the moment.

Described by friends as a motivated people person who’s extremely fit (waterpolo player), a skilled graphic designer* and who has had a years worth of traveling through Communist, Islamic and Western countries within the European continent, having Emma on your team is an opportunity not to be missed!

*First class Honours in Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication, sub majoring in Photography (2008, University of Technology Sydney).