This morning, a photographer friend and I met early at the Jaffa Gate to catch the golden sunlight. We photographed near Jaffa Gate, then walked to Damascus Gate. My friend, being Jewish, knew Jaffa Gate better than Damascus Gate. The quiet, early streets invited us to linger near Damascus Gate and along the road to the Western Wall (Kotel in Hebrew) and Temple Mount (Har Habayit in Hebrew, Haram al Sharif in Arabic). Few shoppers were out yet. My friend found photographing this area special, especially how the morning light touched the stones, shops, and people.

The shops were just opening, and shopkeepers, having set up their wares, relaxed before the crowds arrived. We captured striking faces, friendly people, fresh breads, and vibrant fruits and vegetables. The lack of crowds made brief conversations with those we photographed easy.

By day’s end, my friend was touched by the gentleness, kindness, and beauty of the people and the area around Damascus Gate. It is a beautiful area to photograph at any time.