On the road to Ben Haddou, Morocco
Fujifilm X-H2, 10-24mm f/4, f11 @ 1/300 second, ISO 125

There’s a long tradition of banal landscapes which, for me at least, starts with the Dusseldorf School of Photography, a group of photographers who studied under Bernd and Hilla Becher during the mid 1970s. Banal landscapes are variously described as commonplace, mundane, unexceptional and yet it is this very characteristic that I find appealing.

Odd, aren’t I.

You can also reference The New Topographics exhibition, Stephen Shore and Grant Mudford. I don’t expect everyone to understand these links with the Moroccan desert and a new building estate, but this is what inspired me: a very basic building sitting on a flat desert plain.

I’m sure the locals thought I was quite mad, walking around a new building development (with not many buildings). There were no sealed roads, no gardens, no fences and you could see how dust storms would be challenging! It seemed like a tough place to live.

We were on the road between the popular tourist destinations of Marrakesh and Ben Haddou, both of which have no shortage of interesting buildings, people and culture. Our driver thought I was quite mad, stopping in the middle of nowhere. I’m sure he thought I wanted a comfort stop, it was the camera bag that perplexed him!

It was mid-afternoon with hardly a cloud in the sky. Clear desert sunlight produced deep shadows and by increasing the contrast during post-production, I created a strong graphic rendition. I have been very purposeful with the exposure, retaining detail and texture on the sunny side, but just a hint of detail in the deep, dark shadows. I have also desaturated the blue sky, but given the orange door a little more colour – as a centre of interest.

Compositionally, I have positioned two smaller buildings either side of the main subject, repeating the highlights/shadows as smaller motifs. It’s not a subject that is pictorial or picturesque, but I like it.

And if you’re interested in experiencing a desert of a completely different kind, may I recommend the voyage I’m taking to Antarctica in March 2026. You’ll find full details on the website: https://www.betterphotography.com/photo-tours/sandwich2026-detail