Colline de Byrsa Photo

Photographer’s Note

Colline de Byrsa

Pictured is the cathedral of Saint Louis, an old Roman Catholic cathedral, built in 1890's and dedicated to St. Louis of France (King Louis IX). It is in the shape of a Latin cross 65 by 30 meters. The facade seen here is framed by the two square towers.

Today the building is used as a theater and a museum. Inside is an impressive collection of Punic statues, sculptured surfaces used as grave markers (steles), and urns.

This area, known as the hill of Byrsa, has a violent history. Hannibal lived here and it is also where Carthage was founded in the 8th century B.C. It is said when Carthage fell, the land was covered with salt to ensure its barrenness. In spite of the horrors that took place here, today the ruins are lovely to see and the views from the top of the hill overlooking the Tunis Gulf are breathtakingly beautiful. These ruins are now considered a national monument to Carthage.

bona, paura, axiotea, Jakab, Philippe, Charo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

janusz2054 (783) 2009-05-07 11:16

Hi Betty
Beautiful old architectural cathedral of Saint Louis.
Very good composition and colours.

Janusz

bona (2229) 2009-05-07 11:38

Hi Betty, another pretty photo.
I like the way you show to us the Cathedral by this point of view from the backside of it. The vegetation around the Cathedral is charm and colorful.
Well done.
Andre

batalay (20810) 2009-05-07 14:45

Hello Betty,

Unhappily, I did not see the Cathedral of Saint Louis on my short visit to Tunisia and Carthage, but your photo from a judiciously selected vantage point gives the viewer the vicarious experience of being there. The composition, colors and resolution are excellent, befitting the complementary note you've provided.

I am especially happy to see the allusion to Hannibal, who escaped Cathage after the Punic Wars, and traveled to a site about 40 miles east of present day Istanbul. He settled there, but committed suicide when the Roman soldiers were closing in. Thirty years ago, I was with my sister and mother attending a wedding, and my mother asked me "what I was so deep in thought about..." I said, "I think, this is where Hannibal came..." when an old fisherman interrupted, and said, "We know all about Hannibal here he said," and took us in his row boat to the grave site, identified by modern archaeologist as having belong to the Carthaginian general. Then the old man added, "... but that was a very long time ago. Why, there is a man in the village a hundred years old, and even he can't remember Hannibal personally." The village was "Eski Hisar," which literally means the 'Old Castle.' In Turkey, you have to take the word, "Eski" seriously.

Many thanks for sharing this lovely image,

Bulent

danyy (68492) 2009-05-07 23:00

Bonjour Betty,
quand les couleurs sont belles et les lumières bonnes, on fait souvent de très jolies photos, il suffit presque de bien choisir le sujet et de le cadrer comm il se doit.
Un exemple ici avec une scène très séduisante.

Amicalement.
Daniel.

paura (38266) 2009-05-08 12:30

Betty,
Colours and levels adjustment are excellent here. Perhaps a high f/stop number to allow this excellent dep. Very well done.

Warm regards

Paulo

axiotea (16031) 2009-05-08 23:01

Hello Betty
The vegetation makes for a good starting point leading nicely the viewer to the cathedral which stands out perfectly against the blue sky. You had an excellent light and the colors are naturally rendered. The red hibiscus added a nice color touch to the image.
Have a nice day
Marilyn

jmdias (19071) 2009-05-10 10:08

betty

nice view of the towers of the cathedral. I visited the same cathedral in paris, it is "united in spirit" with this one, they are only one to Catholic church. very nice colors, light, sharpness, etc,, perfect job

hugs

jorge

Jakab (3450) 2009-05-10 15:14

Hello Betty,
to be polite is good, to be honest is better, I think. I have some problems with this photo.
First the theme: you show a small part of a young church from a distinguished place of the ancient history. (Young compared with Carthage and only church since a cathedral needs at least one bishop.) This is where a Neo-Romanesque church is of minor importance therefore not really characteristic on the place.
Second: it seems to be oversharpened on the leaves.
Third: your camera could obviously not find the exact colour temperature, the colours of the plants are too cold. For me, a Nikonian, would be a pleasure to connect it with the weakness of Canon but in fact it was a very hard task for the camera (and for any kind of camera). In this case the light source was the white sun PLUS the blue sky and the poor sensor should have detected the colour temperature on green surfaces. Canon 40D offers the WB bracketing for similar cases, may be you could make use of it once. (I myself think of this option only late, unfortunately.)
Sure, despite of these weaknesses the photo is well above the level "good" therefore the smiley is justified.
Best whishes
Laszlo

sacimar (7357) 2009-05-11 11:49

Hi Betty,

beautiful place, colours and light are excellent, I like the perspective with all these flowers and plants around the cathedral, well done!

Best regards

Sergio

Philippe (11763) 2009-05-12 13:22

Hi, Betty. The two towers rise above the vegetation and stand out well against it with their white colour. They are well framed by the trees. The plants and the remains of columns in the foreground add depth to the image.
Have a nice day,
Philippe

Charo (31665) 2009-07-05 17:00

Hello Betty,
A beautiful view of the magnificent building through the garden. Excellent composition with great light, colors and details. Bravo!
Best wishes,
Charo