Paestum

Photographer's Note

TEMPLE OF HERA — PAESTUM

Around 650 BC the Dorians founded Paestum after having been expelled from the city of Sybaris, across the Ionian Sea on the mainland of Greece. Three beautifully preserved Doric Temples comprise the main features of the site in what is now Southern Italy. Paestum flourished for a little over a century, before it was severely damaged by attacks from the local Barbarians around 510 BC. Another 120 years later still it was dealt a fatal blow when the barbarians overran it again.

During the summer when the better known sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum are overrun by tourists, Paestum, off the beaten track, remains an unusually placid and compelling place to visit. I had been serving as a guest lecturer on the cruise ship, Crystal Serenity on a cruise that commenced in Venice, and visited the storied ports of Dubrovnik, Sorrento, Livorno (the port serving Pisa and Florence), Portofino, Monte Carlo among others. It was during the Sorrento visit that we rented an automobile, and drove first in the direction of Pompeii, and then south on the autobahn. The site is also accessible from Salerno only 40-km away.

The Temple of Hera is seen here from the southwest. It is a magnificently preserved architectural edifice, featuring fluted columns and Doric capitals — a combination evocative of the iconic temple, the Parthenon, built a century later in Athens. The irony of the site, is that although it is the oldest, and best preserved of Doric temple, these majestic ruins were unknown all through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. But perhaps that was fortuituous — it was never used as a rock quarry as had been the fates of many other pagan sites during the medieval ages. The site was discovered in 1740, and first accurately described in 1779.

A memorable event occurred to us earlier in the day of our visit when we met an elderly Japanese couple on the cruise. As I was taking a photo of the couple, the man seemed fascinated with my camera (a 4.4 Megapixel Fuji Cool-pix 4700). “My camera,” he announced. “Your camera?” I asked puzzled, fearing I might have picked up the wrong camera somewhere. “My camera. I make them,” he said. He was the founder of Fuji Filmworks.

I performed minimal cropping and increasing of the contrast with PhotoShop, where I also created the gold-beveled double mat. The outer mat was colored using a pigment selected from the temple facade. This is the manner in which local framers create mats for my works of art. I’ve tried various frames/mats in submitting images to Trekearth. I’ve concluded that it has to be done on a case by case basis — dark mats, light mats, no mats — with the main driving dictum being to complement and not to distract from the image.

jonathan_hart, AnaRita, kaptan, rushfan2112, zmey, salvator, jwmunro, gbeli, carper, suhan, meltemi, ALIRIZA, Sekhmet73, puzzle, gunbud, Ertan, vincz, Photo65Net, wilkinsonsg, ahmetgedikli, stego, JCG, singuanti, jmcl, Rosa_d_MonteLua, Marcelo_Almeida, Tezic, ChrisJ, molla, banyanman, isabela_sor, kermit350, kdialyna, gildasjan, delic, alvaraalto, keribar, bruce_wayne, levocan, henrytf, Aliza, Tue, MLINES, sabyasachi1212, Greg1949, papagolf21, nisko, ruisc_pt, JLMaster has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jonathan_hart (21268) 2007-04-24 9:41

hello Bulent
perfect POV and framing to show us this beautiful account of our history, very good light and colours, well done
regards
jo

kaptan (1444) 2007-04-24 9:49

Netlik süper.renkler harika.Kadraj güzel.Tebrikler.Nezih

rushfan2112 (2965) 2007-04-24 9:50

Hi Bulent. Classical three-quarters view of a classical building. Superb exposure and composition and a great note to-boot. Really good shot. Thanks for sharing and regards, Paul.

sacavem (18572) 2007-04-24 10:14

Hello Bulent,

Temple of architecture very interesting.Excellent POV, very nice colours and light.
Beautiful postcard of PAESTUM.
Regards,

Filipe

anes_lc (14968) 2007-04-24 10:37

history,ruins,this are the place that i will love to look at .
thanks for share
regards,anes

bostankorkulugu (40778) 2007-04-24 11:06

çok etkileyici bir yapı bu... çok iyi korunduğu için belki, parthenon'dan bile daha etkileyici neredyse... belki de bakış açınız yüzünden bülent bey... işiklandirilmiş halini merak ettim doğrusu... elinize sağlık, selamlar...

korkut:)

salvator (19102) 2007-04-24 11:41

Hello Bulent Bey,
Very nice composition of this ruin, nice details and nice depth from the lower left. I think it does add. The colors are very nice too with the clear blue sky. Best personal regards. Salvator.
PS. Thank you very much for the bookmark.

jwmunro (286) 2007-04-24 11:48

Hello Bulent -

I have seen pictures of this place before and would love to visit it the next time we go to Italy. Your image is very nice and appealing. I think what makes it appealing is the classical lines of the temple and your diagonal composition. The image has obvious depth but the inner pillars of the temple accentuate the depth. My only comment would be to have a reference element so the viewer can have a relationship to size. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

carper (96) 2007-04-24 13:04

a very nice one Bulent,
good low horizon, fantastic light, good point of view,very nice framing a fantastic shot for this camera, with my compliments and of course yes the note, well it'sd complete, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

suhan (3552) 2007-04-24 13:09 [Comment]

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anducina (8407) 2007-04-24 13:40

Excellent POV and framing, superb temple under the blue sky. Great light.

TFS,

Andreea

meltemi (9782) 2007-04-24 13:41

Hello Bulent,
extreme sharpness! Your pov was excellent! Color contrast are superb, I like the angle, the way it leads your eye back long the side of the Temple!
Perfect the frame as well as your detailed note. Regards. Stella

erel (11878) 2007-04-24 13:51

MERHABA BÜLENT BEY
Harikulade bir mimari çekim olmuş rengi ışığı ,netliği ve kadraj çok çok iyi.tebrikler.
EREL

xavshot (69835) 2007-04-24 14:02

Bonsoir Bulent
je note et j'apprécie la très belle qualité de cette photo. La lumière permet de mettre en valeur cette architecture. Beau travail
amicalement
Xavier

ALIRIZA (16419) 2007-04-24 15:19

Merhaba Sayın Hocam,
Temiz gökyüzüne doğru çekilmiş hoş bir mimari. Işık ve açı harika. Ellerinize sağlık...
Selamlar...
Ali Rıza

puzzle (700) 2007-04-24 18:55

Hocam merhaba,

oyle guzel bir aciyla cekmissiniz ki fotograf uc boyutlu hale gelmis.
keskinlik ve renkler de cok guzel.
ve tabi ki bizi bilgilendirdiginiz icin de cok tesekkurler...

leyla

gunbud (34052) 2007-04-24 22:06

Hello Bulent,
Outstanding POV that shows these ancient ruins in all their glory. Beautiful sharp details and very nice colors. Great informative note and I hope you got a free camera from your chance encounter.
Regards, Tom

Ertan (2988) 2007-04-25 3:37

Merhaba Bulent Abi
Cok hos ve etkileyici yapi bu.Bu da tarihi yapinin nasil iyi korudugunu gosterir.Guzel bakis acisi yakalamissin.Paylasim icin tesekkurler
Selamlar
Ertan

vincz (19099) 2007-04-25 4:05

Excellent classical POV for this classical building! The light is very good. You took advantage of it in a great way to restore to us so real colours. Very well done.

jhm (122366) 2007-04-25 6:06

Hello friend Bulent,

What a artwork out of the bygone times, again a great note dear Bulent, we learn again of you learning.
You chose a excellent angle, this gives a nice perspective and a good view on the ruin, colours and light are superb. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Hellas (6503) 2007-04-25 6:22

Hello professor,
this is an impressive image of this temple. The point of view and the perspective are ideal. Thank you very much for this presentation. Regards,
Athanasios.

Photo65Net (43120) 2007-04-25 12:56

Bulent,
Beautiful postcard, with perfect POV and colors.
The picture is nicely balanced,
Nice job,
Regards,
JB.

marcopoloo (147) 2007-04-25 13:54

Hallo Bulent
it is a good composed photo for me.
good composition, nice framing.
marek

wilkinsonsg (8662) 2007-04-25 15:32

Sharp, well exposed and a good POV - fascinating note TFS :)

ahmetgedikli (25064) 2007-04-25 15:36

Merhaba,
Geçmişten günümüze miras kalan bu güzelliği, nefis bir açı ve netlikte fotoğraflayıp bizimle paylaştığınız için teşekkürler. Saygılar,
Ahmet

stego (22556) 2007-04-25 16:03

Hello Bülent,
It's a 'postcard view', but surely a very nice one, very neat both aesthetically and technically.
Unsurprisingly (coming from you), I read your note with much pleasure - insightful and well written, as always.
I am surprised that no Japanese appears on the photo... :-D
Regards, José.

JCG (35129) 2007-04-25 16:50

Hi Bülent,

A beautiful catch of sight of this monument of the past. Beautiful management of the light and the colors where all is perfectly proportioned and forms pleasant and very interesting composition. I read with attention the comment, it is very enriching as usual, thank you Bülent.

With all my friendships,

Jean-Charles

singuanti (15250) 2007-04-25 22:54

Hello Bulent. I'd love to be able to go back in time and see this place in its full former glory. The frame you went with fits the colors of the picture well without detracting from it. It looks bright out but you at least had the sun more or less behind you. My only suggestion here would be to find a stronger foreground. tfs Bulent.

jmcl (14535) 2007-04-26 0:46

Hi Bulent,

Incredible place .. love the quality of this light .. love how it angles into the frame .. beautiful and thoughtful.

take care,

John

CeccoPhoto (2715) 2007-04-26 3:23

Hi Bulent,
A good POV and excellent subject.
With you POV we can see many column of a ancient temple.
Beautiful work, the details and the sharp are right!

Bravo!!

CeccoPhoto!!

Rosa_d_MonteLua (1506) 2007-04-26 4:35

Hi Bulent!
Beautiful temple in a beautiful shot!
Very well framed, with a good contrast against the sky, good light and fine details.
The colours are very natural and pleasant to the eye.
TFS and best regards,
Rosa

anesugur (18757) 2007-04-26 5:39

Merhaba Sayın Hocam,
Bu fotoğrafınızı görünce bizdeki tarihi eserler neden böyle restore edilip, bu zenginliğimiz daha iyi değerlendirilmiyor diye düşünmeden edemiyorum.
Eğer Ankara'ya yolunuz düşerse sizinle görüşmek bizi çok mutlu eder.
Selam ve saygılar. Uğur

KemaLMerT (12012) 2007-04-26 7:51

Merhaba Batalay bey.
Netlik, renkler,tanıtım ile çok başarılı bir mimari çalışma.
Kutlarım.
Saygı ve sevgilerimle.
Kemal Mert

Marcelo_Almeida (1044) 2007-04-26 8:18

Hi Bulent,
Bela fotografia do templo de Hera, ótima nitidez, cores, DOF e POV. Nice shot.
TFS,
Marcelo Almeida

feather (51128) 2007-04-26 11:48

A good shot of the temple from a low POV. I like the angle you used to take advantage of the perspective. The light is good with just the right amount of shadow to enhance the image.
The use of the frame certainly gives the image high impact; I would always chose some kind of frame over none at all and agree with you the type of frame very much depends on each individiual image.
Kath

gbeli (2051) 2007-04-26 12:58

Hello Bulent
This photo is like a postcard.
Good POV and light managment, and not tourists around.
Regards

Tezic (17807) 2007-04-26 15:18

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
Çok iyi bir bakış açısı ve perspektif.. Işık zamanı ve kullanımı da çok güzel.. Gökyüzü ise mükemmel... Tebrikler...

ChrisJ (86818) 2007-04-26 18:48

Hi Bulent

Good sharpness & tapering linesr perspective on the left of the ruined temple, with a superb blue sky. An informative note on this Greek temple in Italy. Tfs!

Bluejeans (64221) 2007-04-27 8:09

Ola amigo Bulent , ficou muito bonita esta tua foto , bom ponto de vista ,gostei das cores , e um templo muiot bonito com todas estas colunas de pedra!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

banyanman (7772) 2007-04-27 10:43

A classic shot of this temple, Bulent. When I shoot photographs like this, I always try to look for some foregrund interest to add to the perspective, but sometimes when shooting ancient architecture, it may be better not to do that in order not to distract from the main subject. It's often hard to find suitable foreground inclusions anyway, as I am sure you know given the number of ruins that you have photographed. Technically this is very well executed. Cheers . . . David

isabela_sor (47265) 2007-04-27 12:19 [Comment]

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kermit350 (9012) 2007-04-27 13:16

Merhaba Bulent, Beautiful framing for this splendid vestige which fills the framework well, the good exposure distils a good light and allows us to appreciate many details on the building, this beautiful sky blue gives a beautiful relief to the stone, really a typical image of Greece, arkadasça selamlar......................Merhaba Bulent, Beau cadrage pour ce magnifique vestige qui remplit bien le cadre, la bonne exposition distille une bonne lumière et nous permet d'apprécier de nombreux détails sur l'édifice, ce beau ciel bleu donne un beau relief à la pierre,
vraiment une image typique de la Grèce, arkadasça selamlar

sothy81 (9526) 2007-04-27 15:32

This is a beautiful shot Bulent. Great stand out ruin. You make it look so obvious. Great angle of the picture. Nice exposure, and lighting. Wonderful work. Sothy

kdialyna (3148) 2007-04-27 16:37

Hello Bulent.
A classical picture from you with very nice colors and a very nice shot corner which gives perfect the size and the shape of the temple.
The side light gives very good the idea from the texture of the marble.
I wish you a nice week-end.
Kostas

missninja (497) 2007-04-28 1:13

Hello Bulent!

Those ancient ruins always fascinates me. I´d love to know what will be left of our modern buildings in 2000 years...
You picture is very nice, good colors and I like the pov. It is a big luck that there aren´t any other visitors on this picture.

Warm regards from Germany!
Nina

gildasjan (38184) 2007-04-28 15:09

Hello Bulent
A beautiful composition. Light, clearness and colors are perfect.
A very beautiful realization.
In a friendly way
Gildas

alvaraalto (5473) 2007-04-28 17:38

Hi Bulent,
Again an example of your well known classical approach. Both the object as the way you present it to us underlines you love for the classics.
As always the picture is provides with an excellent and educational info that show the passionate scholar you are.
Groet Rob

Ps
I like to thank you for your excellent info of our best sides to show.

pablominto (53744) 2007-04-29 3:27

Hello Bulent,
Good point of view and this massive piece of ancient architecture is captured with skill!
Good colours and details, and the simplicity of the composition fits the subject well...
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) OK-

delic (6735) 2007-04-29 16:16

Merhaba,
Fine snap of the temple in good light. Impressive lack of distortion and good frame-filling composition. Well done.
Best wishes,
Hakan

mesutilgim (67914) 2007-05-02 7:40

Merhaba sevgili Bülent kardeşim,
Çok güzel bir kare ; verdiğin açıklamalar da bu çekimden aşağı kalır değil. Tam TE'ye uygun bir iş çıkarmışsın, ellerine sağlık ve tebrikler.
MESUT ILGIM

keribar (43841) 2007-05-03 5:15

Hello Bulent,

It's nice to discover archaeology with your pictures, I know the doric temples of Sicily at Agrigento and other places but I ignored there were other ones in southern Italy. Very nice picture with correct architectural perespective.
Friendly yours - Izzet

bruce_wayne (1507) 2007-05-04 9:20

Foto da libro di storia accompagnato da un'ottima nota.
Prospettiva buona, la maestosità del tempio c'è tutta, buoni i colori e il contrasto!

Bruce W.

levocan (2253) 2007-05-04 16:59

Bülent Bey;
Renkler ve netlik çok hoş
Elinize sağlık
Saygılarımla

Levent

henrytf (985) 2007-05-04 18:52

Hello Bulent,
magnificent picture of this well known Doric temple.
How many times have I looked at black and white reproductions of it in books, but never did it impress me so much as your photograph. The point of view chosen, the light and colours really magnify its beauty. And your note makes us feel part of the cruise.
Friendly greetings
Henry

Tue (25798) 2007-05-07 14:18

Hej Bulent,
A beautiful capture of this temple. I've heard a quite a lot about it in school, but unfortunately I never visited (yet). The impressive ancient architecture is with many fine details well visible. The many columns create a nice repetitive effect. Light is pleasant. Good work, thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

MLINES (12516) 2007-05-08 18:49

Hi Bulent. An excellent photo with very interesting notes. Your style is very easy to follow and i'd like to hear you lecture one day, hopefully on a ship like the Silver Shadow. Very good clarity and colours. A new door has opened to my learning through you. TFS. Murray.

atilgone (0) 2007-05-09 3:01

Merhaba Bülent Bey,

Çok güzel bir bakış açısı ile çekmişsiniz. Binanın ebatları oldukça açık belli oluyor. Paylaşımınız ve not için teşekkürler.
Saygılarımla,
Atilgan

Apex (336) 2007-05-09 18:16

Hello Bulent.
Excellent execution of capturing the beauty of this relic.
The great builders of the past created buildings like these that remain intake after millenia of war and peace.
Nice work.
Jeff.

Greg1949 (9011) 2007-05-10 1:50

Bulant, great story, great shot of the temple too. I wonder how it went missed all those years, and you are right it is fortunate for all of us that this site was not plundered for it's stone.

Greg

dorte_s_t (2287) 2007-05-10 3:44

Hi , Bulent .
What an extraordinary pleasure to benefit from your trips and notes !
Almost as good as being there myself !
Your personal rider in the note is the icing on the cake and a bonus :o)
All the best to you !
Dorte.

sabyasachi1212 (19739) 2007-05-10 4:16

Hello Professor,
Well chosen POV, nicely framed and ofcourse your notes are as educative as ever. Thanks for sharing!
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

papagolf21 (76495) 2007-05-16 3:43

Cher ami Bulent,
Quelle joie de pouvoir découvrir une telle merveille architecturale après tant de millénaires . Certains architectes, ont considéré, le matériau principal de construction était à base de calcaire local, et recouvert de stuc blanc dans le but de lisser, certaines imperfections à la surface des pierres et pour conférer une apparence de marbre au temple.
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'anecdote à propos de la caméra.
Un vrai plaisir de contempler un tel joyau.
Amitiés.
Philippe

nisko (2642) 2007-05-23 6:45

merhaba bulent!
It seem like a small Parthenon..i really didnt know that a temple like this exist and much more it is older than parthenon!so may we can say that parthenon creators may effected by the shape of this monument as its almost same..or there was a standar way in making temples as churches or mosques.. Thanks for sharing Bulent!
selamlar..
thodoris

emka (58078) 2008-01-08 11:31

Hi Bulent

I am so happy to see this wonderful temple! A long time ago (1977) I was with my husband in Erice (Sicily), maybe you know it is the place of physics schools and workshops. Then I went by myself by train to Napoli. Somewhere the train stopped and they said that probably there was a bomb in it. The carabinieri came to look for it but nothing was found. Early in the morning the train stopped in Salerno. I thought, they had not found the bomb , but maybe it was somewhere. So I got off. And then I heard an announcement for the train to Paestum. Without hesitating I went there (it was an opposite direction to mine but I did not cared). I was so amazed to see it. As you write, wonderful place with no people. I like this photo very much. Have you seen the paintings there? I do not remember it but I think they are very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Have you been to Segesta? It is also very beautiful and very well preserved.

Malgorzata

ruisc_pt (10115) 2008-01-25 0:45 [Comment]

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