Djenne

Photographer's Note

Today I post the last photos from my early morning walk through Djenn� in central Mali in early March 1982. I will show a couple more photos from this UNESCO world heritage site, but they were taken later in the day.

I am rather proud of this main photo. Not because it's particularly good technically, it's actually very grainy, but the first scans looked terrible and were impossible to show here. So when my latest attempt turned out reasonably well, and I managed some further improvement in Photoshop Elements, I was quite happy.

It's just an ordinary street on an ordinary morning in the city of mud houses, but I am so happy to have captured a lady in red and three mothers with children (a woman, a hen and a sheep).

In spite of its technical shortcoming it's among my favourites from my West African journey.

It is slightly cropped on both sides to get rid of unnecessary walls. I probably cropped the top and the bottom too, if I remember correctly. I tried a version where I slightly blurred all walls, but I preferred this grainy view.

Another view of mainly civilian world heritage architecture can be seen in the workshop. Both photos were scanned from Kodachrome slides.

ikeharel, Royaldevon, pajaran, Fis2, pierrefonds, jhm, ChrisJ, PaulVDV, jean113, macjake, PiotrF, papagolf21, ktanska, worldcitizen, fotka, COSTANTINO, tyro, burmaman has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dedee (3093) 2020-07-18 0:36

Taken in 1982, I imagine things would look much the same now! I love the contrasts in colour between the clothing and buildings. You transferred it from the slide very well?

ifege (48111) 2020-07-18 0:36

Hi Gert
It may be grainy (more noticeable in the large view) but, as you say, it has some great elements - the lady, animals and others out early. The workshop is a good one of the skyline of this amazing town. I wonder if things are so peaceful looking now.
cheers
Ian

ikeharel (113353) 2020-07-18 0:37

Thanks for your latest critique, Gert, and what a great old photos presented this time: A daily life from within the mud-edifices typically built on this region.
Wonder how this place looks nowadays.
Wish yoyu a nice weekend,
Ike

Royaldevon (85932) 2020-07-18 0:59

Hello Gert,

I agree with your decision, the w/s is a very good capture, showing the mud buildings, the stairway and a great sense of depth to the distinctive mosque. It actually looks very neat and tidy, almost a museum piece, whereas your main photograph shows the mud buildings and relates them to the people and their way of life.

I am amazed that so many people are about at dawn. Of course, nearer the equator, dawn may not be so early! How lucky were you to capture the lady in red.

There is obviously not the same sense of enclosing possessions. A hen and chicks just walking the street, along with goat and kids. We would definitely have them penned in for safety and to prove ownership.

A lovely, relaxed, early morning scene.
And I understand your pride in 'resurrecting' this slide.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

pajaran (115911) 2020-07-18 1:08

Greeting.
Interesting street and houses, well shown with a nice photo in the workshop.
Nice photos and memories, good work by scanning the slide.
I wish you all the best for the weekend.
Paja.

Fis2 (170779) 2020-07-18 1:11

Witaj Gert my neighbour today!
Next interesting pictures.
Curious scene from daily life.
Architekture is impressive, view from street makes impression.
I like framing and colors.
Well done.
Nice weekend.
Krzysztof

foxy (3461) 2020-07-18 3:53

Hello Gert,
I don't know why or what, I find all your photos - scanned from Kodachrome slides are very appealing like this one too. You've done a good job for bringing this ( all )photos back to life where its once was in the 80's. I don't mind the grainy bit.
There is something about the this ancient mud place - the ordinary out of the ordinary in theirs daily life. Everybody just mingle around with everybody in harmony ways even the animals seem to be happy to join them.
I see that this place is very back to basic necessities. I wonder how to you survived being there -the raw beauty or the friendly people kept you going.
Thanks for sharing.
Loong

emka (158172) 2020-07-18 4:30

Hello Gert, This series from Djenne is fantastic, maybe the best of all. This picture is delightful, with so many wonderful details, like the hen with the chicks, lady in red, goatrs or sheep and of course this unique architecture. You were lucky that you could travel to Mali when it was possible. I would love to see it, but taking into account my age and the political situation, it is impossible. Hopefull, kasi will got there somewhere.

Best regards MAlgo

pierrefonds (114470) 2020-07-18 4:39

Hi Gert,

The woman with the red dress is an eye-catcher. The point of view is showing the detaiols of the buildings. The light is giving nice tints to the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (211736) 2020-07-18 5:26

Hello Bev,

You found a nice place with a cityscape addition the people with animals
Also perfect depth and perspective.
Composition and presentation are pleasant to look at.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

ChrisJ (171822) 2020-07-18 6:26

Hi Gert

A pleasant diffused light with a motley assortment of chickens, dogs, sheep and goats, with quite a few people up early and off to the market too. Tfs!

jimmyjimmy (6164) 2020-07-18 7:02

Hello Gert

I wonder how much it has changed in almost 40 years. I have no problem with the image. You capture a moment in time that is all your own. Nice

jimmy

PaulVDV (62920) 2020-07-18 7:47

Hello Gert,
Both pictures show very well how interesting it must have been to wander through the streets with mud architecture all around you.
Your main picture shows a quite busy morning with the people, the chicken with chicks and the goats in the street.
Even in Mali some people like to dress in red.
BTW, were you able to visit the interior of the famous mosque? I cannot recall you've written that already.
Best regards, Paul

jean113 (27879) 2020-07-18 8:35

Hello Gert, this point of view gives us a real sense of the place, almost as if we are standing with you.
A picture of everyday life, which you are so good at capturing. People busy with their tasks, goats wandering about, and even a hen with her chicks.
Very, very interesting.
I like the W/s shot but this is an excellent main post.
Kind regards, Jean.

kasianowak (17676) 2020-07-18 9:38

Fantastic! You managed to combine a lady in red and the number three in one photo. It shows various aspects of daily life and this amazing architecture again.
Love the rooftop photo and the link rooftop photo (I've already commented on it before).
Have a nice Sunday!
Kasia

Tue (92370) 2020-07-18 11:31

Hej Gert,
Morgenlyset er meget tydeligt her og giver en god atmosf誡e. Der var allerede ret mange mennesker p� gaden og ogs� nogle dyr og de sger for liv i gadebilledet. Husene og deres former og arkitektur kan ogs� ses og beundres meget godt her. Kvinden i r danner en god kontrast med baggrunden.
Lars

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-07-18 12:42

Gert, Djenn� was a town with a village atmosphere at the begining of the 80's. The non tarmaced streets, the farm animals like the sheeps, the hens and the goats straying add a rural ambiance. The mud and straw buildings have a lot of charm and the color of the desert. The characters animate the scene. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

jmdias (115186) 2020-07-18 13:43

gert

it isn't so sharp, but the image has a sense of being a watercolor produced by an old european explorer in africa. marvelous details of daily life and architecture in mud. the WS is nice too.

take care

jorge

macjake (98456) 2020-07-18 14:43

Hi Gert
this is easily going straight into my Favourite TE list.
how could it not. I would LOVE to see the current version today, from the exact same location...I wonder how much its changed. the lady in red couldn't be a better subject, she totally stands out like a bullseye - in a positive way. It just looks so Old School, with the grainy presentation, the browns, the dirt, the unpaved road...man...i really need to visit this place. The tree in the bg makes a strange appearance haha. I havn't been very active on TE lately, not only because of the baby, but because we're moving and packing boxes, moving to a new home in a few days. cheers
Craig

lousat (139286) 2020-07-18 16:03

Hi Gert,i agree for the choice of the main pic despite your doubts,the main pic is a masterwork,wonderful perspective,close to be endless,with the people walking like actors for you. Obviously the WS too is a great show but a more classic postcard,well done! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

PiotrF (54698) 2020-07-18 16:08

Hello Gert
Another interesting picture from Djenne, nice daily life scene from this place at morning.
I like great perspective, interesting architecture, informative notes and good composition .
Fine presentation
Regards
Piotr

SteveH (8220) 2020-07-18 21:04

Hi Gert, This one really is a cracker. It has everything, fabulous architecture and an excellent daily life scene. Did I say I'm envious already? Cheers, Steve

jemaflor (147156) 2020-07-18 23:16

Hi Gert,
Very nice perspective with this photo of a street in Djenn�, interesting atmosphere of daily life with these people, interesting architecture, tfs.

papagolf21 (152607) 2020-07-18 23:54

Bonjour, cher Gert,
C'est int駻essant de voir ce village constitu� de maisons aux formes arrondies avec des mat駻iaux fabriqu駸 sur place ; il 駑erge derri鑽e l'arbre une maison de ma羡re aux angles carr駸 avec une belle terrasse ceinte d'une balustrade (騁onnant !).
Amiti駸.
Philippe

ktanska (44766) 2020-07-19 2:48

Hej Gert,
Architecture of this city with clay buildings is very well presented on this shot. Nice to see hen with chicken and goats on the street too. The lady in red is perfectly placed.
Kari

GyurMaster (24830) 2020-07-19 14:20

Dear Gert,

Despite the technical shortcomings, you mentioned its an excellent photo! The red cloth highlights the woman well against the dull the environment, which - on the other hand - shows a lot of details to be observed, like women carrying baskets on their heads, children walking alongside with animals. I faved it. I do hope that you keep your word and won't say that I'm wasting my faves!

Best Wishes,
Gy.

worldcitizen (16072) 2020-07-20 14:06

Hello Gert,
What an interesting scene. I wonder what the people in this town, with this type of architecture, would think of the large, glass towers here in NYC and in other cities around the world. The color of the buildings and the road is the same, and there is little greenery in this spot. Of course the lady in red is an added bonus. :-)

fotka (8995) 2020-07-21 5:11

Hello Gert,
It's good to have a collection of photos from a previous journeys that you can show without traveling due to the pandemic.
Great mix of daily life with local architecture. As a very old photo its scanned quality is good.
Best regards,
Zbigniew

COSTANTINO (116518) 2020-07-21 22:35

Hello dear Gert and have a nice day
we are awaiting for more photos
and you must be proud of this photo
because there are nice details...
I like the whole presentation and the
human figures as the lady in red
and other mothers with their children
an absolute different atmosphere...
welldone
regards
Costantino

tyro (30513) 2020-07-23 15:43

Hello Gert,

If only every photograph could feature an elegant "lady in red" such as this! And she's perfectly placed in the frame too and heading in your direction.

A very well composed shot giving an excellent view of this major street and the rather fine and well cared for buildings on either side, not to mention the "three mothers", each with their own brood!

And a fine workshop photograph including the famous mosque too.

Your note, as always, is excellent and there is no doubt that your scanning and editing skills have greatly improved too.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

burmaman (1336) 2020-10-24 0:03

Hello Gert!
It is so sad what happens in Mali these days.
I have seen many fotos from there and I`m allways fascinated by this uniqu architecture.
This is a good streetshot with good depth and many fine details to view.
Regards,Ronny