Down in the Underground Photo

Photographer’s Note

This vaulted cistern under the old Portuguese city built around the 16th century is absolutely amazing. With a single source of light, a hole in the ceiling above the well.
The cistern was originally used for collecting water, but it was also the location for a scene from the Orson Welles movie Othello.
The white disc on the floor is the reflection from the opening in the ceiling.

I didn't have a tripod so I balanced the camera on my camera backpack.

Title taken from inspiration by the David Bowie song "Underground"

...But down in the underground
You'll find someone true.
Down in the underground;
A land serene;
A crystal moon.
Ah..

It's only forever.
Not long at all.
Lost and lonely.
That's underground.
Underground...

Iso400

avene, MichaelLevy, Witam, carper, Floydian, delkoo, dareco, stego, thea0211, lilimih33, AiresSantos, omerozden, rigoletto, zeca has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

avene (11252) 2008-10-02 21:05

hi Wanda,
even before I opened the thumbnail, the title had me humming that exact Bowie song from "The Labyrinth", which I consider one of the best movies ever :)
love the shot, it's almost impossible to tell which way is up and which way is down, exactly as in the closing scenes of the movie with those Escher-eque stairs. spooky, mysterious mood in this photo, I especially like the enclosed feeling the arches above create. impressive quality for 1/10 exposure. very nice shot, my compliments.

best,
Kristine

MichaelLevy (621) 2008-10-02 21:23

Wanda,
Wonderful picture with great light, detail and perfect reflections. While I didn't get to El Jadida, I have seen a number of pictures of the cistern and I really think you did the place justice and then some.
Cheers,
Michael

Morac (21167) 2008-10-02 22:00

Hello Wanda,
Wonderful picture with great light.
This "citerne" of El Jadida is really wonderful.
We thank you for the offer here.
Regards
Marc

marjan (6099) 2008-10-02 22:05

hi Wanda, very good shot , interesting motive , I saw similar last week in Istanbul.

Marjan

Witam (75) 2008-10-02 22:13

Fabolous shot. Very nice reflections and a nice view on the architecture.

dvlazar (6492) 2008-10-02 22:42

Cool image, Wanda. Nice use of light and shadow - expecially clear also without a sturdy tripod!
Great shot.
Dave

emka (22841) 2008-10-02 23:51

Hi Wanda, Splendid shot of this cistern. Beautiful reflections and perfect light.

Regards

Malgorzata

michaelznbg66 (115) 2008-10-02 23:52 [Comment]

Show Comment

carper (66148) 2008-10-02 23:53

prachtige foto Wanda,
de sfeer is zeer mooi hier, de compositie is goed genomen en je hebt hiet uitstekend werk verricht, erg mooi, prettige dag verder.
groet jaap

Floydian (30970) 2008-10-03 3:38

Hoi Wanda,
Interessante lokatie waar ik nog nooit van gehoord had. Het labyrint is heel mooi weergegeven met veel diepte maar toch vooral ind e belichting. De 5D lijkt wel gemaakt voor dit soort donkere lokaties...schitterend.
Groetjes, Henk

delkoo (35058) 2008-10-03 4:19

hi wanda
this is a nice place , i would like to visit it, wonderful underground reflection, it doesn't bother me that some places are surexposed.
best regards
didier

Budapestman (43344) 2008-10-03 4:33

Hi Wanda,
Beautiful photo. The composition was very beautiful, the lights wonderfully controlled. Orson Welles Othello title I like his film very much, formed a wonderful pictorial world from his black and white hard-contrast confrontation. The photo demonstrates the hard mediaeval atmosphere wonderfully. Beautiful weekend!
George

dareco (17104) 2008-10-03 9:44

A very beautiful and artistic image with perfect lighting and reflections. I bet you took alot of different angles of this, it would be a great place to practice photography. TFS

stego (22500) 2008-10-03 10:27

Hi Wanda,
I know how it is dark down there, so I find remarkable its clarity and sharpness. I think you captured very well the atmosphere of the place, incidentally the only one that is common to our galleries so far.
Regards, José.

thea0211 (1355) 2008-10-03 10:35

hi wanda,
photogenic location here, eye appealing play of shapes and lights vs. shadows.
peopleless, strange empty place ;o), "open" to imagination.
good use of available light.
dora

boa (1516) 2008-10-03 11:19

Hi Wanda,
what a exciting place.Fantastic architecture and recflections in the water. A great shot and composition.
Best regards
Boa

lilimih33 (9874) 2008-10-03 16:55

Hello Wanda!
Interesting place and very good light, colours, perspective in your picture!
Nice refelction!
Great work!
Best regards!
Lili

MarcT (21105) 2008-10-03 21:55

Hi Wanda,
A very special place. Nice reflections and excellent colors...
Well done
Marc

AiresSantos (43298) 2008-10-05 1:03

Hi Wanda
an excellent compostion in the underground with beautiful details.
I like so much the POV, reflections and how you handled the light
Have a great weekend
Aires

UnTrained (0) 2008-10-06 22:56

Hi Wanda,
the other here is as good as the symmetric one, the differences of light are well presented by the small overexposed part here. The good view offers the architecture to be explored in a good way and to enjoy the reflections.
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

TAEvents (4796) 2008-10-07 12:20

Hello,

I like this picture in your galery. The color, the mirror of the water, the lighting...All is good , well done !
Nice evening,

Thierry

rigoletto (27112) 2008-10-08 1:52

WoW!
What an interior! Quite difficult light conditions, and very good exposure settings. I like how you present the place and the overall quality.
Rgs,
Deniz

brandstaetter (14552) 2008-10-10 12:51

Hi Wanda,
an amazing place, hidden from the visitor walking through the streets. You achieved a very good quality without tripod. Good job !
Cheers Chris

zeca (20026) 2008-10-10 22:18

Hello Wanda!
The architecture is very nice, with the beautiful arches as a top details. The exposition is very good. Well taken!
Regards,
Zeca

MichaelTrezzi (3170) 2008-10-19 23:00

Hello Wanda, beautiful reflections of the mysterious space. Nice colors and interesting combination of the daylight and artificial light. Wonderful picture. Well done. It's a shame I missed Jadida when travelling in Morocco. Kind regards, Michael

lopshang (628) 2008-10-22 20:26

Hi Wanda

Amazing concept and vary unusual POV. Love the way your worked with DOF. A very lovely and very Gothic look. You have successfully captured the exact environment of this place, well versed shadows and light. The information of this place is well versed too. Thank you for sharing.

Regards,

Lopshang

mattharvey1 (673) 2009-03-04 0:31

Hi Wanda,

Been looking through your gallery and this one caught my attention as it reminds me of so many misspent days playing computer games like Tomb Raider ;o).

Great shot.

Off the check out the rest.

Matt

ruisc_pt (6213) 2009-12-22 4:32

Fantastic light control and fabulous composition
TY for sharing
R