candid moments

Lovers by the Sea, Candid Photography in Morocco

Rabat, Morocco—a city where history, culture, and the Atlantic coastline blend seamlessly. The capital of Morocco offers a rich mix of modern life and traditional charm, making it an ideal destination for travellers and photographers alike. With its winding medina streets, expansive coastline, and vibrant street life, Rabat presents endless opportunities for capturing candid, raw moments.

Capturing Rabat Through Candid Photography

Candid photography thrives in places like Rabat, where life unfolds naturally in the streets, by the sea, and within the souks. In this particular shot, taken along the rugged coastline near Rabat, a couple sits in quiet embrace, framed beautifully by the natural rock formations behind. The land itself acts as a frame, directing the eye toward the couple while adding depth to the composition. In the background, a fisherman perches on a jutting rock, casting his line into the sea—a poetic contrast between solitude and companionship.

The Shot: Technical Breakdown

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Settings: ƒ/9.0 | 85.0mm | 1/200 sec | ISO 160

The choice of the 85mm lens allowed for a natural compression of the scene, bringing both the couple and the fisherman into a cohesive composition. The ƒ/9 aperture ensured that enough detail remained in both foreground and background without distracting from the main subjects. The overcast lighting softened shadows, making the image feel intimate yet expansive.

Street Style and Culture in North Africa

Morocco is a cultural crossroads, where tradition meets modernity. In the streets, vibrant colors, flowing fabrics, and modest yet stylish outfits define the unique street fashion. In this shot, the woman’s peach-coloured headscarf subtly contrasts with the muted tones of the surroundings, drawing attention to the couple without overpowering the composition.

Framing in Photography

Framing is a fundamental element in photography, and this image demonstrates its power. The rock formation naturally cradles the couple within the frame, creating a sense of intimacy. Meanwhile, the fisherman in the background adds an additional layer of storytelling, balancing the image both compositionally and thematically. Here is a photography blog I wrote about framing in photography, especially the compositional technique of a frame within a frame.

The Peaceful Coastline of Rabat

Rabat’s coastline offers a sense of tranquility that contrasts with the city’s bustling medina. The Atlantic Ocean crashes against the rugged cliffs, creating a dynamic backdrop for storytelling. Whether it’s couples enjoying the view, solitary fishermen waiting for a catch, or locals gathering along the shore, the coast serves as a place of reflection, connection, and everyday life.

This image, "Lovers by the Sea, Morocco," encapsulates the essence of travel photography—seeking out the quiet, in-between moments that tell a deeper story. It’s a testament to Morocco’s charm, its people, and the way life seamlessly blends with nature along the shores of North Africa.

Explore More Moroccan Travel Photography

More of my Moroccan travel photography can be viewed on my Flickr page. These images are also available for purchase via my Getty Images portfolio, or reach out directly.

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In Her Eyes: A Candid Moment in Dhaka

Travel portraits have a unique way of speaking directly to the soul, none more so than this evocative image I look in Dhaka, the Capital of Bangladesh. The subject, a young child, seems lost in a world of unspoken thoughts. With a quiet gaze and delicate features framed by slightly disheveled hair, this portrait invites us into a story untold, where curiosity and uncertainty linger side by side.

Black and white image of a sad looking girl in the centre of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Don't Despair, Portraits of Bangladesh

A photograph can speak a thousand words, and this one whispers of quiet resilience and the weight of life. This portrait, a cropped shot of a candid I took of a sad-looking girl in the centre of Dhaka, Bangladesh, captures an unguarded moment of thoughtfulness and emotion.

The photograph’s black and white treatment amplifies the emotional weight, stripping away distractions and emphasising raw emotion. The blurred backdrop—a mixture of soft textures and indistinct shapes, works to isolate the subject. Taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and an EF50mm f/1.4 USM lens, due to low light conditions on the day, I chose an aperture of f/3.2 at 50mm, 1/200 shutter speed, and a high ISO of 1600. These settings blurred out the background subtly drawing the viewer’s focus to the subtle details of the child’s expressive face. The soft tones and shadows enhance the melancholic mood, creating a raw and intimate image that feels almost timeless. Here is a colour version of the image with more surrounding space, the muted colours telling their own story of the scene.

This image captures more than just a face; it captures a moment. It’s a testament to the power of portraiture in revealing the beauty and complexity of the human spirit. Whether a fleeting moment of introspection or an enduring thought, the depth of this child’s expression transcends language and culture, speaking directly to the viewer is as much about what isn’t shown as what is. The blurred surroundings of Dhaka’s bustling streets fade into the background, placing the viewer in the girl's world, if only for a moment. Her expression tells a story that words might struggle to convey, a mixture of strength and vulnerability that resonates on a universal level.

For more of my portrait work and travel photography, follow me on Instagram and Twitter. Each face tells a story, and each story adds to the journey. Photographing people in the candid moments of everyday life always reminds me of the quiet connections that bind us. This portrait, for me, captures the resilience of youth against the backdrop of a challenging environment.

Keywords: #Dhaka #Bangladesh #CandidPhotography #TravelPortrait #CanonPhotography #NaturalLight #Humanity #StreetPhotography #GeraintRowlandPhotography