#rjlerich

A few of my rooftop panoramic photos sold this past week.  I had to work some magic to find the right spot.  Sometimes the magic was sign language as my Arabic is far from fluent. *~)

Don’t really know why rooftop images of mine sell frequently.  I can see why  the night scenes with light streaks in the photos sell.  Light is the key and if captured at the right time of evening, one can garner the natural light with the artificial.  That’s what I try for but am not always successful as often my timing is off for whatever adventure I may be experiencing.  Daytime rooftops are popular as well.

Rooftop domes of Prague, Czech Republic copyright rj lerich

I shot above photo In Prague, winding road Prague with a photograph around every corner.  And photos of architecture from many historic periods due to fact that Prague was not leveled in World War II and structures from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque era remain intact because the city was not rebuilt like most European capital cities during the 18th or 19th centuries fortunately.  Believe I was touring Prague Castle and stopped to take a break at one of the terraces overlooking the city.  Stuck the Nikon on my traveling tripod and zoomed in for compression and the above image of domes is the result.

Now, in Casablanca, Morocco I had to work a bit harder than just stopping on a terrace.  I was staying at a lovely hotel with classic tile work throughout and

Classic Moroccan hotel interior, Casablanca copyright rj lerich

decided I wanted to see what views the rooftop offered.  Unfortunately there was no public access to the hotel roof so I had to approach the appropriately dressed, classic bagged out pant legs, Moroccan manager of the hotel and somehow convey the idea that I wanted to gain access to my roof.  Sure enough, he calls over the bellman, also dressed in classic Moroccan wear replete with head-dress and he rushes me privately to the elevator.  Last stop was about 3 flights from the roof and this guy was hopping those steps as I guess he wanted to get back to reception to gain his tips from newly registered guests.  Ok, we get to tippy top floor and the doors are chained locked but said bellman had the key and, voila!, the doors are flung open to reveal a broad view of downtown Casa.  What I noticed immediately was the blend of old and new with a twin peaked mosque sitting in the midst of it all.  Worked quickly and captured the below pic which did sell this past week.

Rooftop view Casablanca, Morocco with Mosque copyright rj lerich

My arrival in Casablanca was another story of trust of mankind and a healthy dose of kindness and courtesy.  Sleepy from the 7 hour overnight flight, I wiped the dreams out of my eyes and approached a guy at the luggage pickup inquiring as to the best way to get into Casa from Mohammed V Airport, about a dusty hour outside of downtown by the Median where I chose to stay.  As I’d experienced prior in places such as Guayaquil, Ecuador, the fellow says in modest English, “Wait. Wait one moment. I call friend.”  So 20 minutes later I’m driving through the desert leading, hopefully, into Casablanca with two fellows I’d just met.  Although my adopted tour guides were well dressed and driving a Range Rover, well, I still had a bit of trepidation in mind as to what I had gotten myself into as the desert seemed to go on and on.  Well, before I knew it, the sweat eased from my brow and the desert highway turned into rush hour traffic with Casablanca stretched out in front of me. The kind hearted Moroccan guys inquired as to my hotel and took me directly to same.  Another confirming story of human kindness and courtesy found in the world.

Once settled into my 5 star room, highest floor possible, I noticed that the world famous Hassan II Mosque was in the distance by the sea from my hotel room window.   With the sundown a bit past prime time I still managed to grab below image of the immense mosque,the largest in Morocco and 13th largest in the world.  The minaret is 60 stories high topped by a laser, the light from which is directed towards Mecca.

Hassan II Mosque Casablanca, Morocco copyright rj lerich

And now to top off this edition of Front Cover Photo we’ll head to the Eastern Caribbean to one of my regular home away from home for the past 20+ years, the island of Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  Port Elizabeth in Bequia is a natural harbor due to it’s protected horseshoe shape port  and as such, draws Caribbean sailors in the know.  I’d photographed it many times from various angles but was always looking for something new and different.  As usual, I was driving my good friend Andy Mitchell’s bright yellow 25 year old jeep around the island with my good buddy Rennison Simmons (family owner of my digs, The Lower Bay Guest House) with an eye open for a panoramic of Port Elizabeth.  I shot below image years ago when I was looking into buying Peter’s house (a Swedish ex-pat with a nice A Frame in the neighborhood next to “Fixit Man’s Shop”).

Port Elizabeth Harbor view of Lower Bay Beach, Bequia, St. Vincent

copyright rj lerich

I want something a bit different with a different view point and found the next composition in the middle of a nice residential area just over the main town and what’s called “De Harba” (the Harbor).  A homeowner comes out of his house and I request permission to photograph from his vantage point. “No problem Mon. No problem!”  And that’s how we end with this somewhat rooftop view that did sell this past week.  I love rooftops!

Port Elizabeth Harbor Bequia, St. Vincent copyright rj lerich

All writing and photos copyright Robert J. Lerich Bedford, NY, USA February 11, 2017