dj.tigersprout's photoblog
A Bedouin's Domain, Wadi Rum, Jordan
Posted by dj.tigersprout (New York City, United States) on 7 November 2008 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.
For Kylie's theme Day: "MY Special Place"...
OK... so i know some of you might be thinking 'i thought dj's favorite place was Australia?' -- to which i would say -- yes yes yes, it certainly is!!! however, this past March i wandered the soft, desolate, and magically red and orange sands of Southern Jordan -- and my soaring spirit fell instantly in love with the place... with the beauty, with the pure, unbroken isolation, with the astonishingly rugged terrain, with the vivid, breathtaking colors, with the vast open and endless sky... and all the beautiful, selfless Bedouin people i met and got to know!! i sat atop a glowering red sand dune to witness the daily spectacle of sundown one evening -- and i felt like i was king of the world! :)
this is the view i have to share: a place hidden amongst the sandy folds of an endless desert, a place that only the Bedouin know how to reach, a place that i can only visit in this one remaining picture and in my sun drenched dreams... welcome friends to my special place!!!
all work protected by Creative Commons
lisa v from Gawler, Australia
And what a magnificent looking place it is. A very good photo D.J. and I can so easily imagine you sitting there basking in the warmth as you took this photo. See now you've made me want to go there :)
7 Nov 2008 5:10am
amy from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
OMG, DJ! This is a most magnificent image!! I am enthralled with it. Perfect! The way you've photographed this makes me want to go there... ;-)
7 Nov 2008 5:23am
Monique from Koh Samui, Thailand
A beautiful place and a great picture ... love the detail of the bottle of water in this magnificent dessert!
7 Nov 2008 5:37am
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
This is truly a special place, stunning landscape and superb photo.
7 Nov 2008 5:37am
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
I can see why this is. It exudes a certain zen quality...the stillness and I would imagine also the quiet. I love how you have captured this...white clothing against a red natural setting. It really doesn't get much better than this...
7 Nov 2008 5:39am
Elaine- from Vancouver, Canada
oh WOW, is that the holy land you mean?? or is israel around there someplace? what a stunning picture sweetie, honestly, i'm blown away!! well done you!!!
7 Nov 2008 5:42am
Laurent from Lyon, France
not a special place DJ but a magic one!!!
I really enjoy the way you composed this picture with the bedouin's look leading us a marvelous landscape.
The bedouin add a lot of serenity in the picture.
Really a good shot
7 Nov 2008 5:53am
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
Beautiful shot DJ this is a truly special peaceful looking place The colours are amazing
7 Nov 2008 6:04am
bruno from les Ollières, France
No longer needs to look for water , just buy a plastic bottle.More time for contemplation and serenity...
7 Nov 2008 6:21am
Yvonne S. from Tilburg, Netherlands
DJ, this is my most absolutely favourite picture!! I'm very very impressed, so beautiful! Bravo!! 5 stars for DJ!!!
7 Nov 2008 6:24am
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
Fabulous detail in this beautiful composition.
7 Nov 2008 6:29am
Kathryn from Warburton, Australia
what a wonderful place - i am very impressed with your capture and description! gorgeous!
7 Nov 2008 6:32am
callemie from hoeilaart, Belgium
the zen attitude
its really a great picture of your special place
i can understand why
i took your challenge and dit it too!!!
so if you want to see my special place you're welcome
7 Nov 2008 6:32am
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
Oh my dj....what a stunning image and I can truely see why it is so special to you! A beautiful description also! Gosh I'm overwhelmed with the emotion of this day and I've only managed to see 3 blogs so far! I'll be a bribbling wreck by the end LOL. Thank you so much for sharing dj:-)
7 Nov 2008 6:49am
Seb! from Gard, France
Pffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff... D.J., that"s incredible, wonderfull, peacefull...
Very great shot ;-)
7 Nov 2008 7:11am
akarui from Kagoshima, Japan
You have shown us many pictures of Jordan and I am not surprised that you have chosen the desert as your special place. Beautiful shot.
7 Nov 2008 7:33am
Magda from Vancouver, Canada
Wow! This is absolutely breathtaking! What a special place! How can you not fall in love with it!?
7 Nov 2008 7:40am
Vink from Grasse - French riviera, France
A beautiful moment of meditation ! Superb shot !
7 Nov 2008 7:55am
dobbino from Cape Town, South Africa
Fantastic DJ - there is such a strong feeling of peace and concentration, and probably wonderment at what he is seeing, coming from the person in the photo.
7 Nov 2008 8:09am
Em!ly Ng from Residing in: Adelaide, Australia | Home:, Singapore
beauitful. i see the colours of the sunlight on ur face and the slight pink hues in the bg. i really like u included urself in the photo..
7 Nov 2008 8:28am
Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Great choice, dj! Wide opened space for us to be contemplating the elementarity.
The sign of industrial civilisation (the plastic bottle) puts a note of defamiliarisation, of "strangerness" that reinforces the act of contemplation.
Regards.
7 Nov 2008 8:35am
kylie from Shanghai, China
Wow Wow Wow! What can I say that hasn't already been said. I agree with everyone - this image is simply amazing, no wonder you feel in love with this place. I love how you(?) are looking out over the scene - it is truly too beautiful to turn back towards the camera. Superb!
7 Nov 2008 9:56am
MaryP from Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
A very beautiful image, and i can see why it is your special place . Even if i had not seen the image , i would have, just by the eloquence of you writings. Beautiful!.
7 Nov 2008 10:22am
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
A beautiful place it is, I've visited similar scenes a little further south in the Sinai and Negev, so know exactly what you felt.
7 Nov 2008 10:31am
Veronelle from Lens, France
Beautifull place, very serenity ! my place on my site
7 Nov 2008 10:41am
Betty from New Jersey, United States
An incredibly beautiful photo... the colors, the tranquility of the man and the sun on his face. Your comment is wonderful.
7 Nov 2008 10:50am
kevin.z.callaghan@jpmorgan.com from Australia
WOW - that is special mate - what a location
7 Nov 2008 11:13am
Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia
Oh DJ, Bravo, this is just superb, technically such a beautiful image but so moving. I won't hold it against you that Australia isn't your favourite place, as this is truly magnificent. Thank you so much my dear friend for participating in the challenge with this awesomely beautiful image. So clear, cripsp and stunning colour, bravo DJ!!
7 Nov 2008 11:25am
Eleftheria! from Athens, Greece
...This is the most beautiful photo for me today! xx
7 Nov 2008 11:42am
10Fraction from France
this is just a marvelous picture, nively composed, I love the man looking far away and I like his posture.
7 Nov 2008 12:07pm
Mary from Richfield, United States
Gorgeous DJ !!! Amazing colors and feel to your capture. LOve it !
7 Nov 2008 12:23pm
Maramy from Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
Wonderful image dj!! you have captured the mood wonderfully well!! would love to be sitting there right now!! i am recovering from a virus so - i will just have to pretend i am there !!! see if that helps!!
7 Nov 2008 1:34pm
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
HOw beautiful and stunning, ahhh sigghhh you're a poet ;)
7 Nov 2008 2:49pm
willow from Chelsea, United States
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible place. I can see why it's a favorite of yours - there is something so peaceful about the desert. Beautiful image - you look lost in thought.
7 Nov 2008 4:21pm
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
An exceptionnal light… A 5 stars shot.
7 Nov 2008 5:12pm
gbe from kansas city, United States
a truly magical looking place, and a stellar photo!
7 Nov 2008 6:00pm
Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France
I love your special place... of course..... nice composition also.
7 Nov 2008 6:43pm
Francesc B. from région parisienne, France
Magic warm colors... Which unlimitedness...
7 Nov 2008 7:01pm
*Rich* from Stafford, United Kingdom
I can almost feel the calm from here.
Nice write-up too.
7 Nov 2008 7:37pm
Morgane from Laroque Timbaut, 47, France
wow ! superbe ! la composition, les couleurs, le sujet... tout est magnifique, bravo
7 Nov 2008 7:41pm
Arash from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
nice composition!
I like it more if you remove bottle, more natural ;)
7 Nov 2008 8:09pm
Pixim from Nice, France
Magnifique, terribly human and so near to nature. Splendid photograph for a guaranteed escape. Thank you. ;)
7 Nov 2008 8:17pm
Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa
That is truly a stunning shot and a special place. Somewhere when the stress of work gets too much you can just slip away to. Nice one DJ
7 Nov 2008 8:28pm
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
DJ ........ this is beyond amazingly beautiful, and your text brought tears to my eyes.
I hope you have this in its full size, printed for your wall.
7 Nov 2008 8:45pm
manel from Girona, Spain
Magnífica DJ. Entre el desierto y la luz del momento, transmiten una gran calidez.
Abrazos.
7 Nov 2008 8:49pm
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Absolutely beautiful picture. Everything about it speaks peace and tranquility AND the colors are wonderful.
7 Nov 2008 9:25pm
beanow from Poland
Exquisite, full homesicknesses picture... Splendid colours and frame!
7 Nov 2008 9:36pm
António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal
What a place! You got the right light to emphasize the colours.
7 Nov 2008 10:36pm
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
What a wonderful place, you're a lucky man having been there!
7 Nov 2008 10:51pm
One from Açores, Portugal
Superb photo. The colors are magnificent . Beautifull place !!
8 Nov 2008 12:02am
San G. from Encino, California, United States
A place that so few people have gone to, special already. I envy you and I'm so glad you shared this beautiful image. I HEAR the silence (if you get what I mean). I think the volume of the color makes up for it, to keep things balanced. Excellent adventure. For me, much of it is in being able to meet and deepen understanding with a people not yet known to me. Bravo!
8 Nov 2008 12:23am
DarkElf from Perth, Australia
i am not surprised that you love this place - from the recent series of photos it is quite amazing! fewer and fewer places remain where people can feel as one with the surroundings and nature so to find one as special as this is very rare! great shot as well - love the composition - brilliant!
8 Nov 2008 1:06am
JJ from Jersey City, United States
What a beautiful capture of this wonderful and almost Magical place, your words and shot truely do it justice, brings back memories of my time in that area :)
8 Nov 2008 1:41am
marianne from Toulouse, from France, Italy
I can understand why it's your special place !
only you and the sky, only you and orange and pure coulours of life...
it's wonderfull, I give you 5 stars dj !
8 Nov 2008 1:42am
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
The colors and views are definitely astounding. I love the "wind blown" patterns of the sand. As if the gentleman is sitting on water. What also makes this photo unique is that the photo captures what seems to be the amazement of the gentleman as he is looking at something, rather than the photographer (you) also trying to get a glimpse of what he's looking at.
8 Nov 2008 2:01am
Nan from Quezon City, Philippines
Looks like an ad for bottled water. It's unbelievable you're wearing all white sitting about in a desert! :)
8 Nov 2008 2:47am
Jeffster from Long Island, United States
Wow...you certainly captured the essence of the moment. The light that gently envelopes your face adds to the magic as well. Your descriptive commentary ("sandy folds of an endless desert") is also a plus. You are the man!!!
8 Nov 2008 3:58am
vu@granby - Alain Berger from Granby, Québec, Canada
Thanks DJ to share all that !
8 Nov 2008 4:17am
Laurie from New Jersey, United States
Spectacular image. You have been to so many amazing places I can see how it would be difficult to pick just one special place...they are all special!
8 Nov 2008 4:30am
Andrew Gould from Sydney, Australia
Not Australia, then... It almost could be the Red Centre with those colours and the scenery! This is a wonderful image. So beautifully conceived, framed and processed. This would hae been magnificent even without the human presence you've included. With it, though, it's absolutely stunning, and it tells a little story at the same time. By the way, I don't think the water bottle looks particularly out of place here, but it makes me think of the great number of photos I've taken of musicians performing, where the bottle comes as part of the package, take it or leave it!
8 Nov 2008 6:40am
Howard F. from South Pasadena, Calif., United States
So good! The landscape, the man's place within the landscape and the picture, the color, the sunset... Very good shot!
8 Nov 2008 7:04am
Maxine from Rangiora, New Zealand
A place of solitude and soul rejuvenation by the look of it! no wonder you fell for it!!!
8 Nov 2008 9:21am
Ivar from Indianapolis, United States
What a wonderful place, and nicely captured too... Really looks like a place to sit and let your thoughts flow... Just bring enough water :) Very nice.
8 Nov 2008 2:59pm
Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom
Ah yes, assisted by your intro, I can feel the pull of this place . . nowhere for reality to hide.
8 Nov 2008 7:35pm
peter from new york, United States
wow. absolutely stunning shot man. this is truly a wonderful piece of art. great capture : )
8 Nov 2008 8:56pm
lasiate from Philippines
ce serait un pub parfaite pour une marque d'eau minérale! beau travail
8 Nov 2008 11:15pm
Luis A. De Jesus R. from Mexico City, Mexico
This is wonderful. Really wish I could trade places with the guy sitting on the sand. Well, at least the chance to sit on the sand and see what he's seeing.
9 Nov 2008 2:26am
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
WOW! this is simply an incredible place, i can certainly see why it would touch your soul dj. it's amazing!
9 Nov 2008 6:01pm
Stéphane from Bruxelles, Belgium
Beautiful place and great picture. Very good composition.
9 Nov 2008 8:05pm
Vinman from Clacton-on-Sea, United Kingdom
Somewhere very few of us will get to see, I'm sure you will remember it for years to come.
10 Nov 2008 10:27pm
danthro from Suburbia, United States
excellent colors, composition, contrast here! well done!
11 Nov 2008 3:49am
Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany
King of the world indeed, DJ. What a shot!
11 Nov 2008 8:25pm
Teresa from Mountain View, United States
Stunning, stunning stunning, for a lack of a better word.
13 Nov 2008 4:49am
shoti from Everywhere in the, Philippines
beautiful! almost like painting! great job on this! the composition is great, too!
14 Nov 2008 1:24pm
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
You mean this "isn't" Australia? Ha ha. Brilliant portrait.
14 Nov 2008 4:43pm
Evi from Athens, Greece
I wonder, how it really feels like being there? I guess, i'll never know!
29 Jan 2009 9:24pm
@Evi: thanks Evi!! well, i can try to explain -- of course, it won't be exactly the same! :) we sat on the giant red sand dune for about 5 minutes, it was wonderfully soft and warm -- i took off my sandals and just dug my feet into the sand!! and then we just enjoyed the absolute silence! no wind, no birds, no animals, no planes or cars or trains... absolute silence!! and then the light began changing, slowly turning from golden yellow to reds, oranges and pinks... eventually to violet and purple... and then a grayish-blue... it was incredible!!! :)
Yash from Melbourne, Australia
Great capture .. the mountains looks so quiet and serene .. Im sure this person is having a nice peaceful time away from the noises of concrete jungle .. !
27 Oct 2009 10:26pm
Canon EOS REBEL XT
1/50 second
F/5.6
ISO 100
41 mm