Photographer's Note
The Blue Mosque (or Sultanahmet Camii) was constructed between 1606 and 1616 by Mehmet Aga, who had trained with Sinan, the greatest architect of the Ottoman Era. Sultan Ahmet's ambition was to create a monument that could stand up to the grandeur of Hagia Sofia, right opposite to the mosque and it seems that his effort was succesful, although the construction, technically speaking is not as "bold" and "risky" structure as Hagia Sofia was some 1.000 years before.
The blue mosque is as glorious from outside as it is from inside. Its 6 minarets make it one of a kind for Turkey. In fact it was considered rather provocative when it was constructed because the only place someone could see till then a mosque with 6 minarets was at Mecca, the holy city of the Muslims. .(The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is one of the two mosques in Turkey that has six minarets, the other is in Adana. When the number of minarets was revealed, the Sultan was criticized for presumption, since this was, at the time, the same number as at the mosque of the Ka'aba in Mecca. He overcame this problem by paying for a seventh minaret at the Mecca mosque-from WIKIPEDIA).
It's a huge mosque, and if you want to enjoy it's perfect symmetry you should see it from the Hippodrome and not from the side of Hagia Sofia. It's courtyard is equal the size of its interior and around the Mosque you can also see a Medresse (theological school), an Imaret (sort of a poorhouse) and a hamam. Looking at its exterior it doesn't look blue at all, you have to go inside, see the 260 stained glass windows and the beautiful Iznik tiles to understand, where "blue" comes from.
MY THEME:
***Istanbul-2010 Cultural Capital of Europe***
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Copyright © 2009 – Hercules Milas. The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained herein for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
lctan, amazon, pauloog, antua, vasilpro, ciakgiak, bostankorkulugu, subhendu_bagchi, Budapestman, Dashab, adramad, Urs marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
Morac
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1990 W: 221 N: 2765]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(27725) 2009-09-08 4:28
Bonjour Hercules,
Il n'y a qu'un mot : SUPERBE !
J'en rajoute un second : MERVEILLEUX
Marc
Jeppo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1804 W: 10 N: 1772]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(17645) 2009-09-08 4:32
ciao Hercules,
I love your light management....and the choice to focus your POV on the symphony of arches a visitor can experience when visiting this wonderful building
tfs
silvio
csabee
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 42 W: 5 N: 17]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(243) 2009-09-08 4:36
Hi Hercules,
Superb view of the mosque, the tilting exploits the advantages of the wide angle lens. It really shows how huge and beautiful the building is. This perspective is quite different from what the human eyes see, that's what makes your photo unique. Thanks for sharing.
Csabee
bema
(26591) 2009-09-08 4:41
Hi Hercules, geia sou..
really a very difficult capture in order cause there a no visible lines, everything seems to be in a curve..
perfect lightmanagment and a great motive, too..
kalo apogeyma, Jassu Bernd
lctan
(1061) 2009-09-08 4:56
HI Hercules,
this is a fabulous shot. i always find it difficult to shoot something like this indoors to try and capture the full picture of the ceiling and walls. You have got it done really good here! congrats!
LC
jasmis
(58653) 2009-09-08 5:11
An impressive interior. Photo with detailed note, just suitable to TE.
Regards.
Gerrit
(62042) 2009-09-08 5:17
Wow,Hercules,
what a dazzling ceiling. I love the patterns, colours and the perspectivic deformation.
Can you make pictures in a mosque?
regards, Gerrit
coco
(30439) 2009-09-08 5:32
Kalispera Hercules.
La foto es sencillamente impresionante.
El lugar, la composición, la luz, el amplio de vista,... todo resulta alucinante.
Buen trabajo.
Carlos.
amazon
(12112) 2009-09-08 6:04
dear hercules ,
only thing can be said for these photos ... great ...
iffet
pauloog
(11751) 2009-09-08 6:21
Hello Hercules,
The majesty of the architecture and its decoration well presented with this bottom to top view in clear colours and good light.
Regards,
Paul
delkoo
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 4419 W: 258 N: 18]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-s.gif){kind=small}
(68) 2009-09-08 6:45
hi hercules
excellent interior light management, lovely colors and details, the man praying ,(I suppose), gives the scale of this huge and richly decorated dome.
ta leme
didier
antua
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 90 W: 2 N: 3]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(16) 2009-09-08 7:16
Kalispera Irakli,
o fotografikos sou fakos apotypose idanika to esoteriko autou tou epivlitikou ktismatos. Foveres oi leptomereies pou diakrinontai opos kai ta xromata. I gonia lipsis einai eksairetiki pragma to opoio symvalei stin yperoxi apotyposi ton tokson pou dimiourgountai. Sygxaritiria!
Xairetismous,
Antonis
vasilpro
(41801) 2009-09-08 8:53
Γεια σου Ηρακλή,
Πολύ όμορφο και επιβλητικό το εσωτερικό του Τζαμιού σε εξαιρετική απόδοση με τη μοναδική από το φακό σου παρουσίαση.
Σε χαιρετώ, Βασίλης.
brandstaetter
(15915) 2009-09-08 10:50
Hi Hercules,
what a crazy wide angle ! Wonderful ! Colourfuk!
Compliments, Chris
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 44 W: 36 N: 48]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-s-s.gif){kind=small}
barrufeto_77
(28888) 2009-09-08 11:19
Hola tio.
Pues nada hombre, otro pedazo de foto que nos colocas....qué decir.....mmMmmmmm...Felicidades?
Un saludo!
ciakgiak
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 3732 W: 133 N: 4]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(30) 2009-09-08 13:06
Hello Hercules,
there are no words for two similar masterpieces, the blue Mosque and your spectacular photo. The decorations are really gorgeous, what splendid colours and fine details... with a superb quality!
Congratulations and TFS dear friend.
Friendly regards.
Giorgio
bostankorkulugu
(42866) 2009-09-08 13:18
i dont remember seeing a better indoors shot from a mosque, as for the pov and compo giritli mou... the architect would have loved you... you are a master, i take a bow...
bostani
subhendu_bagchi
(26091) 2009-09-08 13:24
Namaste Hercules,
a great capture with an interesting POV. Mid colours. Great depth. The mosque looks gorgeous. The archer are fantastic. Tfs. Have a great time.
Subhendu
francio64
(39888) 2009-09-08 13:39
Ciao Hercules,
gran bel gioco di geometrie in un bel contrasto di colori.
TFS!
Francesco
anesugur
(18789) 2009-09-08 14:37
Hi Hercules,
Wonderful photo.
Perfect quality and beautiful colors.
Thanks for sharing.
Best regards. Uğur
mursaloglu
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 689 W: 7 N: 1321]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(8682) 2009-09-09 2:05
Iassu my dear Herakli
Great indoor work a really masterpiece as your usual and amazing details of the mosque. It is like really a science fiction lunar base station than a historical mosque. Great wideangle work also. Bravo just amazing stunning work. ihsan
ophelcia
(0) 2009-09-09 2:32
WOW...what an interior:)
I love so many cupolas in one place, I seem to be there and watch the same view:)
Greetings,
Gosia
delpeoples
(60342) 2009-09-09 2:38
Hi Hercules, I am marvelling at how you managed to deal with all that light and colour. The wide-angle lens has been used expertly and to beautiful effect, accentuating the height and grandeur of this amazing Mosque. TFS, Lisa
Budapestman
(82620) 2009-09-09 3:42
Hi Hercules,
You took an amazing interior photo, the details are beautiful, excellent composition, splendid clarity, picturesque colours, superb light control, perfect realization = great shot. Congratulations. Have a nice day!
George
lightsensor
(757) 2009-09-09 8:11
hey, Hercules,
what a low and wide angle shot! i wondering how did you mantain the light? especailly indoor. i could read everything in detail and the exposure is awesome. good job!
J-P,
carper
(96) 2009-09-09 10:15
very beautiful one Hercules,
good composition from a very nice place, good point of view here, good photo job, have a good evening.
regard jaap
Dashab
(2564) 2009-09-09 13:07
Hello Hercules,
You have done a great job with the wide-angle! Plus the colours are superb and the note exhaustive, as always. Thanks, Dasha
tober
(8797) 2009-09-10 5:11
Your title is "Bow" but I can say "Aboow" (Abo) which is a slang way of expressing your surprise and fascination of sometthing in Turkish. I am not exaggerating but this is one of the most impressive photos of the Blue Mosque that I've ever seen. Congratulations Hercules.
Warm regards,
Tolga
adramad
(72600) 2009-09-10 9:42
Hola Hercules.
Impresionante este gran angulo de la Mezquita Azul, me gusta la perspectiva del juego de cúpulas y medias cúpulas, muy luminosa y con buen colorido.
Luis.
jafadabret
(56501) 2009-09-10 23:54
Kalimera Irakli.
Cette mosquée est un chef-d'œuvre et ta photo est superbe. J'aime le graphisme des arches et des coupoles. Les couleurs sont magnifiques. La mosquée Bleue est aussi belle à l'intérieur qu'à l'extérieur et ta photo la met parfaitement en valeur.
Excellent travail !
Jacques
Urs
(14082) 2009-09-11 0:18
Brilliant shot, absolutely stunning framing and perfect execution with very high sharpness, nice light and color management and incredible DOF, congrats Hercules, that certainly is one of your master pieces. Also your note is very informative. My personal favorite in Istanbul is the Hafia Sofia, possible due to the history. You really have produced an extraordinary photograph, well done
Friendly regards
Urs
npecanhuk
(79329) 2009-09-12 3:25
Hello Hercules!
The architecture is magnificent and you did such a superb photo job here!
The pov, the vertical format and the composition are outstanding features in this wonderful image!
Sharpness, exposure and colors are excellent!
Another outstanding presentation of yours!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan
mkamionka
(73532) 2009-09-12 8:23
Hi Hercules,
this is truly a jaw dropping view.
No words can really give it a justice, and you did as usually a fantastic job presenting it.
I like very much your composition with the emphasis on the ceiling. It is so rich and colorful. It seems also that you took it from hand -and it is so sharp and of a great quality.
Spectacular place and the photo.
Congratulations,
M
stelli
(3009) 2009-09-12 9:21
Amazing POV and beautiful coloring! It must have been quite an experience to visit this place! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Hercules Milas (Cretense)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5327 W: 74 N: 16998]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(68709) - Genre: Lugares
- Medium: Cor
- Date Taken: 2009-04-15
- Categories: Vida Diária, Arquitectura
- Camera: Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM
- Exposição: f/4, 1/20 segundos
- More Photo Info: view
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original
- Tema(s): Istanbul-2010 Cultural Capital of Europe [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2009-09-08 4:25
- Favoritos: 1 [ver]
