Its nearly winter solstice and day-light hours are becoming scarce with the sun beginning to set low in the sky now from 3pm onwards- its easy to see why we need the cheer of Christmas lights. I discovered on my trip to Marrakesh that the Moroccans really know how to capture light in truly special ways. There is of course that Saharan light from the midday sun hitting the colour of the city, there is the light reflecting from a 101 of those beautifully carved Aladdin-like lamps dotted along the streets- and for sale in many different incarnations in the Souks. There is light beaming from archways and the doors of the Medina. And when night falls, things get really magic, light becomes an art-form with its rays spilling out from minarets, alcoves and intricately carved lanterns.

Here’s some of the light I captured in Marrakesh to fill your day, or your night, as you wish.

All photos by Ruth Griffin with Canon EOS 600D.

The midday sun hitting a beautifully coloured Moroccan rag-rug in the Marrakesh souk

 A simple lantern lights up after dinner mint tea at Nomad restaurant on their fabulous terrace that looks out over the city.

 Lanterns on the street lighting the decorative walls of the Medina.

Patterned stained glass windows project coloured light in Maison de la Photographie.

A lantern shows a beautifully painted table strewn with rose-petals.

Modern lamps light up a shelf  of  beautiful Moroccan tea-pots in Nomad.

A dried fruit stall all lit up with single bulbs in the  Marrakesh Souk.