Doorway Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The back entrance to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. A lesson in architecture and patterns when you walk through the mosque and courtyard. A definite must if you visit Muscat. The mosque was built to celebrate the 30th year of Sultan Qaboos reign and houses the largest carpet and chandelier in the world among other amazing tilework and marble. The one thing that really surprised me was not not the great architecture or grandness of the structure but how the white marble felt so cold in the 120 F heat. - its the small things that count.

linask, gabrielpat, chicken has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

shevchenko (9922) 2007-04-26 22:06

Hi John,
The infinity I felt, creative frame by suitable color. Well done.

lasscor (7637) 2007-04-27 1:14

Hi John,
Wonderful architectural composition, full of esthetism.
Lovely white marble structure.
Nice framing, perspective, soft colours, light and sharpness.
TFS,
Corinne

ViktorVaughn (1517) 2007-04-27 2:17

Another great photo from your trips to Oman and Yemen. I love seeing your photos of these countries. I think I will head to these countries this summer, I will have to ask you for some advice. I read one of your notes saying that it was quite safe. Hope you don't mind if I send you an e-mail later with some questions.

As for this photo, It is beautiful, the symmetry is great. Don't know how you got lucky with no people, as well the lighting is great, and you chose a good frame. The photo is ever so slightly tilted (i'm just nitpicking) and I would have liked if you had put a bit more of the arabic writing at the top, instead of cutting it off half-way.

Otherwise an excellent photo! Keep posting lovely photos of these countries.

infrastellar (407) 2007-04-27 3:15

Clear! Very simple and nice. Would point the camera a bit downwards, to make the lines vertical.

batalay (20940) 2007-04-27 4:00

Hello John,

What astonishing symmetry! In a photograph I just posted on portals, I commented that where symmetry occurs one should accentuate it by shooting straight on. I was unable to do that because of the crowds, but you achieved that effect perfectly. This is a pristine image, beautifully composed, masterfully exposed. That temperature, 120° F is 49°C, hellish temperature in a scene that looks so seren.

Warm regards,

Bulent

gabrielpat (6551) 2007-04-27 7:51

hi John,
an "elegant" picture,a real grapism.I like the clear colors and the perfect symetry.a good representation of islamic architecture,very simple and so rich.

AnidaK (49) 2007-04-28 13:25

this one is also perfect in it symmetry, (what i really like since my profession is architecture :)) )
everything is very beautiful but the only thing that bother me is scrpit written in arabic cut through the middle, either u should take it whole in the photo or cut it out completely

chicken (1781) 2007-04-29 9:46

Both doorways (or better lets call them portals) are captured in very intriguing images. I prefer this one due to the unique style of the architecture and the low perspective you've chosen. I like the multiple portals within and the ornaments, especially the arabic writing on the top of the frame. The only nit I see is the slight distortion (while the stairs are straight, the top seems tilted to the right) which I would correct in postprocessing.

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2007-05-11 11:55

Hi John,
One of the finest architectural images I have come across in recent times. Well chosen POV, the symmetry is perfect.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

Angshu (33645) 2007-05-13 4:24

Hello John
For me, who loves to take architecture photos, this is a dream shot! The horizontals of the stairs, the verticals & the arches, repeating themselves of the doorways..quite superb. Maybe it would be better to crop off the Arabic letters at the top, because they have been half-cut anyway
Regards
Angshu

jmdias (19267) 2007-08-21 17:44

john

you have lots of marvelous photos in your page. This is one of many. Very nice view, the pov is perfect here, lines and shapes created a very nice composition. Light and the soft colors add more interest too.

Jorge

naseemjk (54) 2008-01-19 13:56