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Great Wall @ Mutianyu


Great Wall @ Mutianyu
Photo Information
Copyright: Andrew Ooi (andrewooi) Silver Note Writer [C: 4 W: 0 N: 30] (179)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-30
Categories: Architecture
Exposure: f/8, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-04-21 2:28
Viewed: 596
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Great Wall at Mutianyu entrance point. South East of Jinshanling, the stretch winds along lofty, cragged mountains from the southeast to the northwest for approximately 2.25 kilometers (about 1.3 miles). It is connected with Juyongguan Pass to the west and Gubeikou to the east.

Before the use of bricks, the Great Wall was mainly built from Earth or Taipa, stones, and wood.

During the Ming Dynasty, however, bricks were heavily used in many areas of the wall, as were materials such as tiles, lime, and stone. The size and weight of the bricks made them easier to work with than earth and stone, so construction quickened. Additionally, bricks could bear more weight and endure better than rammed earth. Stone can hold under its own weight better than brick, but is more difficult to use. Consequently, stones cut in rectangular shapes were used for the foundation, inner and outer brims, and gateways of the wall. Battlements line the uppermost portion of the vast majority of the wall, with defensive gaps a little over 30 cm (one foot) tall, and about 23 cm (9 inches) wide.

Communication between the army units along the length of the Great Wall, including the ability to call reinforcements and warn garrisons of enemy movements, was of high importance. Signal towers were built upon hill tops or other high points along the wall for their visibility.

Hope you like it.
DzULA, amfdj, ktanska, tsvetanar has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

I like the tele photo lens vew here, which makes the background slightly out of focus and the people very sharp.
It gives a nice perspective
Regards Stefano

  • Great 
  • DzULA Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 145 W: 61 N: 47] (742)
  • [2008-04-21 2:50]

Great photo of the GREAT wall, very good composition and dept of field

Greetings
DzULA

Hi Andrew,
I like the composition, the folded wall corresponding to the folded hills. Cause and effect are clearly to be seen.
Compliments, Christian

  • Great 
  • daddo Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1641 W: 29 N: 1668] (7689)
  • [2008-04-21 5:47]

Hi Andrew. Great shot that has harmony of colour and texture.The wall seems to emerge from the soil and it also shares the same colour as the trees alongside. Lovely POV showing the wall snaking its way along the ridges.Regards. Klaudio.

Hi Andrew,
Wonderful shot from the Great Wall. Using tele shows just what's essential. Colours of those stones and dry looking landscape. Hilly nature where this wall is built. Glimpses of sunshine are nice highlights.
Kari

Hello, Andrew!
Very well-done shot considering the similarity of the colours, every detail is so clearly seen! Thanks for sharing!

Regards,
Tsveti

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