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Vibrant Photos of Marrakesh’s Jemaa el Fna Marketplace
While on assignment in Marrakesh, Morocco for two magazines, a travel publication and a women’s weekly, Milan-based photographer Alberto Bernasconi found himself wandering and intentionally getting lost in the main square and the Jemaa el Fna market place.
The medina, the old city bordered by modern developments, maintains its authenticity despite having become a tourist destination, explains Bernasconi. Weaving through the old, narrow streets, he rode on a motorcycle to the locations of his scheduled shoots, spending his free time in cafes watching locals and tourists bustle around the souks, where merchants and customers run a hard bargain on everything from clothing to spices.
Bernasconi notes that the markets are always crowded regardless of the time of day, bursting with tourists snapping photos with their phones. At night, Jemaa el Fna is filled to the brim with people, and photographers flock to a particular terrace that offers an unparalleled view of the scene below. For Bernasconi, a sense of calm descends over the marketplace at night, imbuing the square with an atmosphere of tranquility and adventure. “Walking in the medina in the night is a sheer pleasure,” says the artist.
All photos featured in this post can be found on Offset, a new curated collection of high-end commercial and editorial photography and illustration from award-winning artists around the world. Offset is an exclusive category channel partner on Feature Shoot.