Dzimba, a photo from Masvingo, East

Photographer's Note

Great Zimbabwe contains the largest pre-historic stone buildings in Sub-Saharan Africa - and is one of my favourite sites, comparable with some of the best in Mexico and Latin America.

Sub-Saharan Archaeology often has as many myths and legends attached to its history as the peope who occupied the main sites. Depending on the historical period this site was built by: the Queen of Sheba (hence King Solomon's Mines), Arabic builders, Portuguese and even Chinese (trade items including classic Chinese porcelain has been found at the site). Basically, any outlandish conclusion seemed more plausible to a certain historical period of archaeologists than the idea that indigenous, Shona speaking, black Southern Africans could possibl have constructed a site of this size.

So - the legitimate research - built and occupied by Shona speaking peoples in the 14th to 18th centuries. Gave rise to the only country name that comes from an archaoelogical site. A must visit place in Southern Africa.

SnapRJW, jester5, chrisostomou, prasun984, BennyV, worldcitizen, BluSimo, Kofman, delpeoples, Sonata11 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ManuMay (33311) 2012-02-15 11:12

Hi Iain!

A very good and creative proposal, enigmatic, original, very well conceived and realized...Superb point of view and composition and very good textures, focus and details, good light management indeed!!

Have a nice day...

Manu

parvatibb (583) 2012-02-15 11:17

Hello Iain,
Just like a scene from Indiana Johns! Fantastic!
Great DOF
TFS
regards
bb

rychem (9151) 2012-02-15 11:19

Mysterious place, excellent photo, compliments
Ryszard

SnapRJW (18642) 2012-02-15 11:24

Hello Iain - I have never had the privilege of visiting Great Zimbabwe but surely this shot does it great justice. The high walls and narrow walkway have been so well captured. I love the hint of light at the top centre frame and the textural detail is very good. Wonderful and nice to see you posting again. Warm regards Rosemary

sacimar (25957) 2012-02-15 11:27

Hello Iain,

this is a fabulous image, I like the mysterious atmosphere here, the composition is perfectly presented, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

ciakgiak (30329) 2012-02-15 11:53

Ciao Iain,
Splendida realizzazione, una prospettiva che colpisce e intriga, perfetta dal punto di vista della qualità e del controllo della luce. Complimenti.
Un caro abbraccio
Giorgio

dale54 (4896) 2012-02-15 11:53

iain hi,your pic is simple and i like it!the wonderfull texture in this is super!tfs!have a great day! dr

Nard (6913) 2012-02-15 13:03

Hi Iain,
very nice and impressive POV giving a strong mood. The POV is really well chosen and I like the light on the top and how we can fell the texture of the stones.
Regards
bernard

chrisostomou (568) 2012-02-15 15:11

hola!

beautiful minimalistic patterns …great light management and splendid sharp details…well done..

my greetings and copliments!

Afsanehbagheri (3206) 2012-02-15 15:21

سلام دوست من

خیلی جالب گرفتی و طولانی بودن و بلند بودن دیوار

را خیلی خوب نشان دادی

تبریک

prasun984 (5590) 2012-02-15 21:38

Hi Iain,
very nice low light photography...like the light management in the narrow passage between the textured decayed wall...
perfect perspective to get strong sense of depth,succesful light management to get sharpness and clarity...
very nice shot...

Prasun

BennyV (12739) 2012-02-16 0:12

Fascinating post, Ian. A great picture (pov, the light entering at the top, the stoney textures...) and a note that really makes me curious to discover more about this scene. Comparable to the best of Mexico...that's quite a statement, so here I go looking for more!

Learning about the world in progress.

Benny

sabermonajati (7567) 2012-02-18 0:29

hi
amazing form you captured and light management skilful.
regard
sabr

Ricx (13435) 2012-02-19 6:38

Hi Iain,, great to see you back and what a wonderful place to turn up too.. I see you been travelling a bit.. things onm TE have settled down abit- maybe not sorted out.. but then if the Mods did not upset someone - every now and again- who would we get upset with.. catch up soon Rich

BluSimo (9392) 2012-02-19 7:14

Ciao Iain
you come back sometimes as a mistry :-) and the mystery is well perceived here, with the fascination of the ancient one, and of what it does not exist more. also the sense of claustrofobia is strong watching this image. It cannot be understood where it will be arrived after to have old that curve. a photo of great impact, Iain, than shows the nothing, and the contrary of nothing. cheers.
have a nice week
Simonetta

delpeoples (44888) 2012-02-20 19:41

Hello dear Iain

Welcome back, you've been missed you know! This is amazing, not just for the uniqueness of the subject but for the superb way you've photographed it. My God people must have been skinny in those days, and you must be quite slim too! I'd have been worried about getting stuck ;) Excellent choice of the vertical format, superb textures in the wall and the perspective created by the curving walls is a magical touch. Congrats my friend, I look forward to seeing many more of your adventures.

Warm regards
Lisa

aliabazari (10105) 2012-02-21 1:16

Hi Iain ...
This image has a unique perspective and is stunning.
In this picture we have a level of that same floor gives this narrow alley make up.
And however that the walls and shaped components combined on the beauty of the picture.
Thank you

danyy (0) 2012-02-22 3:33

Bonjour Iain,
une scène tout droit (ou courbe) semblant tirée d'un jeu 3D, un rendu fin et fantastique des textures. Des jeux de lumières séduisants.
Regards.
Daniel.

TopGeo (37994) 2012-02-26 8:30

Hello Iain! I like the mysterious atmosphere here, beautiful minimalist form and perfect idea, a corridor going somewhere maybe nowhere!
Best regards
Georgios

Atousa (7097) 2012-02-29 1:49

Salam Iain,

Seems to be a scene of a movie; a mysterious one.. very interesting shot with great light management n fine texture.. very good work.. tfs
Best regards, Atousa

ruisc_pt (10111) 2012-03-16 16:06

Iain
Ciao,
As you pobabily know I've been in ASfrica for more than 20 years.
This is one the places I've not visited.....yer.
I hope to do it soon .
This your image is fabulous.
TFS
Rui

Sonata11 (28209) 2012-03-17 8:10

Hello Iain,
Wow!!! what a fabulous shot of this outstanding perspective. Fantastic lines, texture, colors, an amazing POV with winding poth leading us to somewhere? AWESOME SHOT !!!!
All the best and have a nice WE,
Barbara

cavli (1874) 2012-03-20 5:10

Hello Lain,

marvelous graphics you captured here. very good managed light conditions. quite sharp. very nice presentation with your interesting note. tfs
regards..