Summary

An 83-year-old photographer reminisces about his travels to Morocco through his street photography, sharing a curated selection of images that capture the essence of the places he visited.

Abstract

The website content is a personal essay by an 83-year-old photographer who reflects on his past travels to Morocco. Now confined to the island of Puerto Rico for the most part, he revisits his experiences in Moroccan cities such as Tangier, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakesh, Larache, and Rabat through his collection of digital photographs. He shares his favorite street photos, which are unposed and intended to convey a sense of place without narrative or exact locations. The photographer values the special moments he captured in his images, acknowledging the challenge of creating meaningful photographs as a tourist in a foreign land. He invites readers to join him on this visual journey, quoting Moroccan proverbs and other writers to enhance the experience of his photo memories.

Opinions

The photographer considers his camera an essential travel companion, even though his current travels are mostly limited to his home island of Puerto Rico.
He believes that the photos speak for themselves, conveying a sense of place and capturing unposed moments in the lives of the people he encountered.
He is selective in sharing his photos, choosing not to share all of them as many are of personal significance, such as those of his wife, friends, and specific subjects that may not interest others.
The photographer feels that each photo has a special meaning, freezing an instant in time and reflecting the fortune of capturing those moments.
He appreciates the challenge of photography in a new country and values the opportunity to share his work and experiences with others.
The photographer uses quotes from Moroccan proverbs and writers to emphasize the allure and sensory richness of Morocco, suggesting that it is a place that continues to surprise and inspire.

Travel Photography

Streets of Morocco

A personal photo memory

My camera is my constant companion when I travel. Well, when I used to travel. I am 83 years old and my trips far away from home are mostly for doctors appointments and excursions out on the island. The island I live on, Puerto Rico, is only 35 miles wide and 100 miles long, so those excursions are still doable. I’m not concerned: the others, across the seas, are still within my reach. All I have to do browse through my digital library!

For example, I visited Morocco today. My only trip there was a few years ago when I was younger, 2015 when I was only 75. Today, I stopped by Tangier, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakesh, Larache and Rabat. Not bad for an hour in my studio!

I won’t bore you with all the photos I took on that trip — too many are of my wife and me, our friends, various camels and mosques, and other things that are interesting to me, but probably not to anyone else.

I’m sharing my favorite street photos — unposed moments in which I tried to capture a sense of place. I am not including narrative or even exact locations. Not because I don’t remember — I do remember most. All were taken in the main cities of Morocco that I mentioned above. I believe the photos speak for themselves!

Each photo has a special meaning to me: each freezes an instant in the lives of the people I was fortunate to capture. Making photos to be proud of is a challenge any time, but it is especially challenging when you are a tourist in a new country.

I hope you will stay with me for a few more minutes. I’d like your company for the trip!

“Waking up early is bought with gold” Moroccan proverb.

“A little imagination goes a long way in Fes.” ― Tahir Shah, writer

“To visit Morocco is still like turning the pages of some illuminated Persian manuscript all embroidered with bright shapes and subtle lines.” — Edith Wharton, writer

“I love Morocco — it’s a real challenge to all five senses. You think you know something, and you don’t. It’s wonderful.” — Amy Ryan, actress

“By all means, trust in Allah, but tie your camel first.” (Moroccan Proverb)

Thanks for your company! If you enjoyed the trip, let me know. I’ve got a lot of other countries to share!