Underground Town of Kariz Photo

Photographer’s Note

Underground Town of Kariz

The Kish Kariz is more than 2,500 years old, and currently it has turned into an underground town at a depth of 16 meters below the surface.
The qanat has 274 wells all over Kish and is home to numerous marine fossils some dating back 570 million years, according to German scientists' estimate.A certain type of mud called locally as 'Maren', which is said to be good for arthritis treatment, covers the qanat's walls.The whole area of the kariz is more than 10,000 square meters.

Kariz (Qanat) - which is an invention of ancient Iranians- is an underground irrigation system, different from a normal aqueduct in that the water is already there and being tapped. A qanat is constructed by tunneling into a cliff, scarp or base of a mountainous area, following a water-bearing formation.
The purpose is to bring water to the surface where it can be utilized in irrigation of agricultural areas. The water is not brought up to the surface but rather out to the surface. The tunnels are roughly horizontal, with a slope to allow water to drain out.

In this shot you can see one of the channels prepared for visitors and also a small part of its natural coral ceiling .

stego, Dyerco, siolaw, ALIRIZA, Clementi, patdeph, Henryk_Bilor, daddo, llimone, AiresSantos, jusninasirun, skippy007, Silversnow, mafegan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

brandstaetter (14420) 2008-03-09 11:12

Hi Atousa,
there is a lot of history in your photo, and also a example for the genius of mankind, necessary to survive in arid areas. I already heard about those underground aqueducts, some of them longer than 100 km ??
Very informative note, too...
Cheers Chris

stego (22478) 2008-03-09 18:24

Salam Atousa,
An impressive and unique place! Your country is surely fascinating and I must thank you for showing it. You did a wonderful compo with the arches, the light and colour, it's very attractive 'graphically' and the sense of depth and dynamics is great. It's amazing how you achieved such great sharpness/clarity in un underground construction.
TFS, Regards, José.

Dyerco (9304) 2008-03-10 5:24

A fascinating structure. I am always amazed at how people from centuries ago designed and built such structures as this one. Good depth and perspective here and the lights add a nice touch.
Phil

siolaw (25832) 2008-03-10 23:06

SAlam Atousa,
An interesting presentation of this underground irrigation system, now transformed in houses! (I saw various documentary of the cleaning of the system... very dangerous job to go down there!) The colored lights give nice atmosphere, exposure i good and details well visible.
TFShowing!
Greetings
Laurent

sayat (2944) 2008-03-11 9:39

Fantastic place and a very beautiful shot. We can see the unbroken line to the far depths of it. The artificial light is very well balanced. Your info is great too.

ALIRIZA (16197) 2008-03-11 14:49

Hi Atousa,
An impressive and interesting composition with different colours. Well done my dear friend...
Best wishes...
Ali Rıza

Clementi (45245) 2008-03-12 0:27

Ciao Atousa ,
nice shot , i like lighting system basement.
photo well composed with good colors and great use of light ,
I preferred pov a more bottom in order not insert the stone illuminated from the flash.
Giorgio

patdeph (18346) 2008-03-13 9:36

hello Atousa
this is an incredible place!And this is a really nice picture with beautiful coloured lights,a nice perspective,and an excellent sharpness!It must be very intersting to visit this place!Very well done!
Have a nice evening.
Pascale

crckt (7100) 2008-03-13 10:50

Salam Atousa,
This is an intriguing and interesting shot. The different colors in the arches look really stunning.
Well done,
Shaeri

Henryk_Bilor (20371) 2008-03-14 0:22

Hi Atousa
Interesting underground. Nice light and perspective.
Regards

daddo (11557) 2008-03-14 4:16

Salam Atousa. Fascinating interior shot of an intricate and extensive irrigation system. How many souls laboured over the centuries to ensure life and prosperity? Is it a trend or necessity which has made people turn these places into habitations/ All the best. I do plan to send you a photo or two of my paintings. Soon. Klaudio.

llimone (672) 2008-03-21 12:35

Hola Atousa.
Interesante, subterraneo y oscuro lugar. Bella fotografia con unos buenos colores.
Un saludo.
Ricardo

AiresSantos (42924) 2008-05-08 2:00

Hi Atousa
Great place very well captured. I like the architecture, the colours and how you managed the light.
Excellent sharpness and details
Have a nice day
Aires

jusninasirun (10213) 2008-05-11 20:14

Hello Atousa. Beautiful glow of blue and amber of this unique town. Nice texture and good detail. Thanks for sharing and good notes too. Regards. Jusni

skippy007 (7343) 2008-05-20 1:44

Hello Atousa, Interesting scene with a very interesting history, Good perspective, colour & clarity. Thank you also for a very informative note.
Regards
Santo

Silversnow (2121) 2008-05-31 19:56

Very interesting underground picture, and very sharp for something not easy to capture.
The flash did not prevent the exposure of the background, that is really good, and the outcropping of rock shows just how low and cramped the ceilings can be ;)

mafegan (4505) 2008-10-18 5:28

Hello Atousa
You are showing details of a part of Iran which is not often seen in our media. My single criticism is that there is not a person included to give a sense of perspective. TFS, Marlene

cristiancu (268) 2008-11-16 8:25