On our second World in Focus Photography Expedition, Nikon photographers David Tejada and Rachel Rudwall helped travelers hone their skills while exploring Morocco’s vibrant and diverse landscapes. From the bustling streets of Casablanca, Fes, and Marrakech, to the snowcapped High Atlas Mountains and endless sands of the Sahara, these captivating photographs are a feast for the eyes.
The lines in Morocco are mind-blowing. There are the lines in the mosques with their minarets that stretch up toward heaven. The lines in the sand dunes peak and recede like the ocean in a breeze. There are lines in the tunics and scarves, and the expressions of the people that will welcome you along the way. Photo by Rachel Rudwall. Shot on Nikon D7500.
Spanish influence is evident in the both the profile and color palette of Chefchaouen—an outpost for Andalusian Jews and Moors who fled Spain during the Reconquista. This photo of Chefchaouen shows one of the elaborate tiled doorways in Morocco’s “Blue City.” Photo by Carley Rudd. Shot on Nikon D850.
The 10,000 alleyways of Old Fes jolt to life as soon as the day begins. The spiritual and intellectual capital of Morocco, Fes holds more than 350 mosques and 300,000 people inside just its 1,200-year-old “Old City.” Students study at the Islamic schools (madrasas), sweets shops hawk their gooey dates, and weavers draw you in with a pitch and a smile. Photo by Rachel Rudwall. Shot on Nikon D7500
Inside Fes’s workshops, craftsmen assemble intricate mosaics, or fabricate complex works in iron ironworks to decorate the homes of the well-to-do. Nearby, laborers in Old Fes jog between tannery pits, dying and drying leather goods to sell in the city’s endless market stalls. Photo by David Tejada. Shot on Nikon D850.
The pull of the Sahara is magnetic and irresistible. The vast, undulating curves of seemingly infinite grains of sand stretch clear to the horizon, where hazy plateaus begin to take shape. Camel trains dot the landscape, bringing supplies and people to remote desert camps. Photo by Carley Rudd. Shot on Nikon D850.
In the Sahara, local musicians gather around a campfire, telling stories and playing music until the stars begin to knit their endless web above. Photo by Chandra Sandoval. Shot on Nikon D850.
Snaking west through the valleys and gorges of central Morocco lies the Road of 1000 Kasbahs, a historic highway known for its Hollywood-worthy fortresses. With sumptuous green oases and Atlas Mountain views, the kasbahs play home to international film shoots and local visitors alike. Photo by Rachel Rudwall. Shot on Nikon D7500
The mud-brick watchtowers of Aït Benhaddou once protected its residents from invaders. Now, they act as a backdrop for films such as Gladiator, and TV hits like Game of Thrones. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this village sits along a dry river valley, once home to an ancient caravan route. With a castle dating back to the 14th century, and 360-degree hilltop views, Aït Benhaddou provides a picturesque stop en-route to larger cities like Marrakech. Photo by Katie Tebbe. Shot on Nikon D850.
Stretching approximately 1,600 miles through northwestern Africa, the High Atlas Mountains rise up from the arid desert floor to become snow-capped peaks topping out at elevations of over 13,000 feet. Complete with scattered nomadic Berber villages, agricultural terraces fenced in by beavertail cacti, and cedar forests inhabited by Barbary macaque monkeys, the High Atlas Mountains draw you in with a rich, fierce sense of possibility. Photo by Johnny Chung. Shot on Nikon D850.
Morocco’s most popular tourist city, Marrakech is fondly referred to as the “Red City” for its rust- and salmon-hued walls. Known for its bustling bazaars, carefully manicured public gardens, and omnipresent hammams (a.k.a. spas), the city proves a favorite for both locals and visitors from faraway lands. Photo by Carley Rudd. Shot on Nikon D850.
