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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Forty: Expressing the force and beauty of moisture in motion > Blue and white, Cascades d’Ouzoud, Morocco, 2006
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28-DEC-2006

Blue and white, Cascades d’Ouzoud, Morocco, 2006

Rarely do we see waterfalls with different coloration from stream to stream. But that was the case due to the intensity and color of the mixed light as is played on the various streams and flows of this spectacular waterfall about 100 miles from Marrakesh. They told us that this waterfall was best viewed in the spring, when it is in full flow. Yet I found it to be spectacular enough in the winter – with a smaller volume of water, the various streams were more distinct, creating a striking pattern of alternating blue and white toned water as it plunged 328 feet into the Canyon of Wadi e-Abid. I used a 28mm wideangle lens for this shot, which extends the amount of flow in the frame and increases the visual energy it generates.

Leica D-Lux 3
1/250s f/4.9 at 6.3mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis08-Mar-2007 15:08
I saw the X-ray in this image, too -- Ceci. I am glad you enjoyed this image as much as I had fun making it. The blues were an unexpected bonus.
Guest 08-Mar-2007 08:25
At first this seemed like an x-ray of two legs, or of tendons of two ghostly limbs. There is a mysterious feel to this shot, that doesn't speak so much of water, as of ice. These cascades seem enormous, and the blues add so much "flavor" to the scene. A most beautiful, diagonally cut frame, frothing with water that I would have liked to stand in to do some dreaming.
Phil Douglis26-Jan-2007 00:09
You and I have photographed many waterfalls together, and I thought of how much you would enjoyed seeing these monumental flows of energy in person. So the next best thing was to make this image in this manner. I am glad you found it and noted the effect of the flowing layers of color.
Tim May25-Jan-2007 17:47
I, too, am struck by this image - for me it is the layers of flow and color that take my breath away. Beautiful.
Phil Douglis21-Jan-2007 03:13
Just last night I was studying this image again and wondering why nobody had taken a moment to comment on it as yet. Your comment made my day, Celia -- this image is a very special one because it gives us a way to look at nature in a unique way. What a wonderful connection to make regarding the color. You are right-- many of Morocco's cities are painted blue and white, so this image does offer a sense of identity to those who may have such a context. And there is also a linkage here to my Antarctica imagery -- which is heavily blue, white, and black. Thanks for these comments.
Cecilia Lim20-Jan-2007 23:30
Simply spectacular Phil! Waterfalls are a popular subject that has been exhaustively explored by many photographers, and I have never ever seen one that is this unique and beautiful in its colouration. The luminescent blue and white remind me very much of the icebergs you took in Antarctica - as if they were icy, cold, fluid icebergs melting into the black rocks which provide a striking contrast to its purity. The blue & white colour also echo the colours that can be seen often throughout Moroccan cities, further giving this waterfall a very Moroccan identity! This stunning image is a wonderful addition to your collection of Moroccan flavour landscapes. Just breathtaking!
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