Project 8: recording a sequence

The idea for this project was to record a sequence of pictures showing how you approach a shoot; from the moment you catch sight of a possible photograph, to the final best image you can make of it.   Usually this would involve walking around, looking at possible subject matter before deciding on which to shoot – however for this project, there was a requirement to keep the camera to the eye and record your movement around the subject, showing how you approached the subject matter and recorded it.

My initial thought was to do this sequence at christmas when I am back in Europe; probably taking a set of pictures of a christmas market in Germany.   However, I changed my mind yesterday when I went out to take a couple of pictures of Damascus Gate, one of the main entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem.   The aim was to try and take a picture of Damascus gate for a calendar we are producing, but when I got down there it was obvious that it would be the perfect opportunity to complete this project.

Damascus Gate was the main entrance to the city of Jerusalem from as early as the time of Agrippas in the 1st century BC.   The gate itself dates in its present form from the time of Suleyman the Magnificent.   The scene in front of the gate is a microcosm of the Palestinian world – vendors heave goods in and out of the Old City, families have picnics on the steps, Israeli soldiers patrol the area, allowing safe passage for the ultra-orthodox jews heading for the Western Wall.   Yesterday (Sunday 7 December) was even more hectic as it was the eve of Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice.   This is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims and Druze worldwide in commemoration of the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.   Because of this, the gate area was more hectic than usual, with people out doing last minute shopping; buying sweets for the children, getting fruit and veg in for the feast.

The aim of the picture sequence below was to try and record the hustle, bustle, smells and sounds of the market area surrounding the Gate.   To the outsider, the place looks complete chaos, and yet there is a rythmn and order to the proceedings, with people going quietly about their business in amongst the chaos.   I was hoping to capture the essence of the area, and was quite surprised by the two pictures that I thought said the most – they are at the end of this post.

The first set of 6 pictures was taken of the area immediately in front of the gate, hoping to capture a picture of this perennially crowded area.   The problem I found in this sequence was that the gate and towers are just so big and dominant; it totally dominates the surroundings.   I think the pictures show the chaotic nature of the market, but just don’t seem to work.

The second set of 5 pictures was taken to try and capture the scenes around some of the market stalls.   You can buy everything in this market, from shoes to carpets to food to clothes.   I wanted to give the viewer a feel for the interaction that was going on and the colours within the market.

I then moved on to the food vendors for the next set of 4 pictures.   The hope here was that the colours, steam and movement around these stalls would convey some of the smells and sounds that were all around.   As it happened, I preferred taking pictures of the vendors preparing their wares, and so there is very little interaction.   I quite like this set of pictures, although again not quite showing the underlying essence of the market.

Next it was on to the fruit & veg stalls, where a lot of the action was taking place.   I really enjoyed taking pictures around the stall with the vendor in his orange jumper – he did not stop moving the whole time I was there.   This is probably my favourite set of pictures as I really think they are showing the workings of the Damascus Gate market – constant motion, interaction with lots of noise and interaction.

The sweet stalls next, to try and get across some of the wonderful colours that adorned the market area, before finishing off with some general pictures from around the market, to try and capture some more of the atmosphere.