Dome of Hagia Sofia Photo

Photographer’s Note

A few days ago I saw at Discovery a very detailed documentary about the Hagia Sofia and Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles
Watching this together with my husband I say to him that he must see this wonderful place
Unfortunately nothing remains of the original Hagia Sophia, which was built on this site in the fourth century by Constantine the Great.
The original dome collapsed after an earthquake in 558 and its replacement fell in 563. Steps were taken to better secure the dome, but there were additional partial collapses in 989 and 1346.
But even now looking all these scaffolds (just imagine that each level there has ~2m) we can imagine how high is this roof and even after that documentary, I still wonder how they have made it!!!!
Not the best crop, but I wanted to show you the complexity of the scaffolds :)

wgreis, vasilpro, berek, rigoletto, Bartleby, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

wgreis (5888) 2009-06-19 6:24

Isabela,
the texture of the dome is fantastic.
I like your POV very much.
Have a nice weekend.
Regards,
Wagner.

pastadog (12821) 2009-06-19 6:24

Very impressive! You nicely mixed the scaffolds (with those attractive light strips) and the dome; the mundane and the divine; straight lines and curves; new and old; and it looks great together, congratulations...

vasilpro (7929) 2009-06-19 8:18

Hello Isabela,
I think that is amazing presentation with excellent light management and an excellent chosen POV, an artistic composition with beautiful colors.
Greetings from Greece, Vasilis.

kunitsa (187) 2009-06-19 10:09

Isabela, I am so thrilled by the photo: You have done a tremendous job! When I saw the scaffolds I thought such an ugliness..you've taken a great angle to both show the beautiful dome and the complex, seemigly fragile yet providing such a support to the dome scaffolds. The light is amazing

jasmis (49589) 2009-06-19 11:19

Incredible shot. Something really breathtaking.
Regards my dear friend.

alvaraalto (5225) 2009-06-19 13:47

Dag Isabela,

These immense scaffolding accentuates the enormous dimension of the world famous dome.
Maybe a disappointment not to see the beauty of the dome fully, but on the other hand a much more unique picture than one without the scaffolding.

Groet Rob

jjcordier (24046) 2009-06-19 21:58

Isabela
Belle leçon de photo : comment exploiter de superbe façon un échafaudage envahissant pour obtenir une photo au graphisme et aux couleurs attrayantes. Bravo!
Amicalement
JJ

rigoletto (25934) 2009-06-20 3:33

do you miss istanbul? :)
i remember you taking this photo, but i was never expecting such a beauty when i consider those scaffolds. the result is marvellous. great use of light!
compliments :)
deniz

bona (2063) 2009-06-20 7:06

Isabela, this photo is splendid! Love the golden colors and great POV made the iron struture nice here. I read a romance book recently and one scene pass on the Hagia Sofia, and is a dream to me visit this so old and beutiful church.
thanks
andre

bantonbuju (48334) 2009-06-20 23:35

that place impresses me always... and i do love being there...

your "version" of hagia sofia looks a bit like a scene from some space station in another world... and the light makes the wonders...

best, j.

kyrneucciu (1344) 2009-06-21 4:20

Hi Isabella , very great shot, superb mosaic congratulation. JO

BurhanettinMasa (641) 2009-06-21 5:41

Hi Isabela,
Colours and your POV is excellent, wonderful scene ...

Regards,
Burhan

marietom (31766) 2009-06-21 13:43

hello Isabela,

wonderful ! Great colors and composition.
Bonne soirée
Marie

Bartleby (4634) 2009-06-22 9:24

Hi Isabela,
I remember standing there, looking up at that amazing ceiling....what a feeling! The light you got here is great and I think the addition of the scaffoldings is a good idea to illustrate the point you make in your note. Thumbs up!

Philippe

sultana (847) 2009-06-23 8:38

Hi Isabela,
I like the light management, your angle of view and colours.Well done
Regards,
Sultan

anirban_c8 (19) 2009-06-23 11:48

Hi

Good shot and very good golden colour.

erdna (5346) 2009-06-23 18:02

A beautiful architectural shot! A historic dome given more mystry in this picture by the scaffoldings that tries to hide its beauty. Though there is lightness in the scaffoldings, it stands solid to take one fourth of the dome. Very interesting images within the frame.

Andre'

mikeo (12113) 2009-06-24 3:05

Hello dear Isa,
How are you? Quite long time I was not here:(
--------------------------
So many great photos you have uploaded here...this one is perfect! so great compo, amazing colours and this incredible place...PERFECT!

Hugs,
Mikeo

Ps. I saw in your Intro abour copyrights...honestly had no time to read new terms but seems they exaggerated...

MichaelLevy (518) 2009-06-24 20:17

Hi Isabela,
This is an excellent shot, that turns what I saw a negative (the scaffolding) into a positive. Great imagining and light management. Congrats and TFS.
Best,
Michael

scalerman (25607) 2009-06-25 12:23

Isabela: I like what you did here with the elements most photographers would try to avoid - the scaffolding imparts a surreal layer in this compo. congrats. c

ChrisJ (69430) 2009-06-27 14:01

Hello Isabela

I like the crosslighting & the horizontal sunbeams. A superb upward pov, on the dome, with good sharpness & colour. Tfs! Have a nice Sunday!