TULUM II — EL CASTILLO Photo

Photographer’s Note

TULUM II — EL CASTILLO

This is my second photograph showing the ruins of Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, along with a complementary note about the Maya Civilization to the one that I wrote for the earlier post. To recap, during the AD 3rd-10th centuries while Europe, descended into its Dark Ages, the Maya of Central (or Meso-) America ascended to its Classical or peak period. But then by the 10th century, the Maya began an inexorable path of decline. As the more powerful city-states, such as Chichen Itza, Tikal, Palenque… fell to northern invaders, however, the relatively weak city-state of Tulum on the northeast coast of the Yucatán rose in prominence, rising to control maritime trade in the area.

The Maya had invented a type of writing with ideograms, or glyphs, to record their history, their customs, their religion on scrolls or codices. Countless codices, however, were burned in a giant bonfire organized by the Spanish Bishop Landa who set out to systematically squash the pagan religion practiced in Meso-America. Only a few of the scrolls have survived to our time, and our information is largely from those meager few, and some paintings and carvings left on walls of temples, and finally the good Bishop’s own notes, largely self-serving observations.

Human sacrifice existed among the Maya to appease the gods, but far below the levels practiced by the Aztecs who had come to dominate Meso America at the time the Conquistadors arrived.

In Tulum the largest and most prominent building is El Castillo (The Castle), known to have served as a temple, but most likely used as a citadel also. Behind El Castillo seen in this photograph, the land descends to a white-sand beach where the Maya once came ashore, and now tourists swim and frolic in the sun, combining a visit to the ruins with a dip in the spectacular Caribbean. On top of one of the walls (20% from the right edge of the picture) is an iguana, a lizard approximately one meter long, frequently seen in this part of the world. IN THE WORKSHOP ARE A PAIR OF OTHER VIEWS: #1 SHOWING THE SHORE, AND #2 SHOWING AN IGUANA GAZING SUSPICIOUSLY AT THE PHOTOGRAPHER.

THE GOLDEN RECTANGLE

Finally, I cropped the image into a rectangle 800x494 pixels, reflecting the proportions of the golden rectangle, or 1.618 to 1.000. Frequently invoked by artists and architects in their creations, it is believed to be a shape particularly appealing to our aesthetic sensibilities. Phidias, the greatest sculptor/architect of antiquity, designed the Parthenon in the mid-5th Century BC, having inscribed his miraculous creation within the golden rectangle.

Nikon D200, 28-200 mm Nikkor lens, ISO set at 200; hand-held, and shot in RAW mode, with size 3884x2600, 9.1 MB

azaf1, Tobias__Ortmann, mikolaj_kawa, Wandering_Dan, ChrisJ, alvaraalto, papagolf21, jhm, maltese, Charo, Silversnow, dareco, belido, salvator, danos, Emile, patshoo, Cretense, feather, MLINES, Muse, kermit350, paura, zmey, JCG, Cricri, Angshu, cfreire, Buin, wishlist, kibele66, ahmetgedikli, asajernigan, Bluejeans, meltemi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Tobias__Ortmann (2591) 2008-07-06 7:47

Hi Bulent nice to be your neighbour.;)
very good photo the nice architecture with the palms give a great composition maybe the sharpness could be a bit better but nevertheless a great photo.
Well done
TOBA

erel (11542) 2008-07-06 8:12

merhaba
Renkleri ,kadrajı,açısı itibarıyla usta işi bir kare.BRAVOO.EREL

BWJ (1827) 2008-07-06 8:14

Hello Bulent,
This is a strikingly beautiful composition with a great POW and excellent perspective. Its beauty is enhanced by the variety of textures, lines and shapes, and splendid sharp details. The cumulus clouds scarcely floating above the ancient structure seem to balance the picture just perfectly. As always, your note is interesting and informative. Outstanding work!
Warm wishes,
Betty

mikolaj_kawa (32169) 2008-07-06 8:22

Hello Bulent! Very interesting castle. Original perspective. Good capture. Ideal light and sharp. Fantastic take. Well done!

Wandering_Dan (3375) 2008-07-06 9:41

Hi, Bulent -

It took me a bit of time, but I finally spotted the iguana. I wonder what a close-up of that area would look like?

Nice arrangement, and very interesting historical note.

Best,
Dan

alvaraalto (5353) 2008-07-06 13:39

Hi Bulent,

Lovely picture of these ancient Maya culture. With all that blue in the sky I should have expected a little more contrast in the picture, but I think a cloud was disturbing that.

Groet Rob

papagolf21 (57785) 2008-07-06 14:28

Bonsoir, mon bon ami Bulent,
Encore une précieuse photographie des civilisations anciennes. Les édifices sont loin d'être aussi imposants que dans les autres cités Mayas. Mais, ils demeurent d'une beauté bien spécifique.
J'imagine la joie que l'on doit éprouver en découvrant ces édifices !
Merci, cher Bulent, de nous faire voyager et découvrir d'une aussi belle façon.
Amitiés.
Philippe

pitzimba (382) 2008-07-06 14:37

Ciao Bulent, nice composition for my dear ruine...
I like it very much.
Thank you for your invitation to meeting; I like it but in the august I hope to go in London.
Have a good trip and I wait for new wonderful shots!..

Bye

Silvia

azaf1 (15625) 2008-07-06 22:52

Greetings, Bulent
Another of the series. Your historic quote is very detailed about the ancient cultures, an intriguing legend, especially for people from far off places that can only know throught other people's eyes.
My compliments
Argiris

ChrisJ (71614) 2008-07-07 0:48

Merhaba Bulent

Another good image of the Mexican ruins, with good color, lighting & sharpness. Congratulations!

jhm (85052) 2008-07-07 4:22

Hello friend Bulent,

Mexico an country with a lot wonderful old buildings or ruins out of the old time.
I think that we as Europians a lot can learn of the this wonderful culture.
You placed the palmtree excellent to the left, as contrast point to the gray ruins.
Very well composition and good presentation. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

maltese (21615) 2008-07-07 5:46

Hi Bulent
Impressionnante architecture qui a su traverser les siècles!!
Des formes massives mais qui reste agréables dans leur proportions.
Une très bonne réalisation
Amicalement
Hervé

Charo (33218) 2008-07-07 9:13

Hello Bulent,
Good point of view of the castle with its fantastic Mayan architecture. Excellent depth and colors.
Cordialmente
Charo

Silversnow (2161) 2008-07-07 11:44

Very nive POV, the palm tree adds life and organic forms to the squared architecture scene.

dareco (17104) 2008-07-07 15:53

Very beautiful and very interesting as well. An excellent note to go with this. I have seen very view pictures showing the architecture in Mexico. This has very nice color and detail and I like the pov. TFS and have a happy day!

belido (17932) 2008-07-07 15:58

Hi Bulent,

what happened to your last post? It was deleted. Well, here you come with this wonderful architecture. I know there is a great history behind this scene and I'm sure you are the best one to tell us...the note is the complement of this composition. Great colors and lights. Very well done!
Regards,
Carlos

salvator (19073) 2008-07-08 1:45

Hello Bulent Bey,
Very nicely composed photo with wonderful details and a superb blue and cloudy sky. The details on the stone walls are well seen and lead us to the intact building on the top of the frame which looks superb.
Best personal regards. Salvator.

danos (34924) 2008-07-08 3:45

Hello Bulent,
nice presentation of the ruins of the large Maya's civilization.The photo in combination with the informative note make us have a spherical knowledge about these old nation.I like the contrasted colors, as the use of the golden rectangle,the same that was used from Phidia,25th centuries before.Well done.

Regards,Danos

Emile (20189) 2008-07-08 7:17

Hola Bulent.
Another wonderful shot of the ruins captured with a very good POV and a wider frame. Nice composition. Really you are showing us an amazing architecture and again a great lecture in your excellent note.
Well done.
Best regards.

avene (11722) 2008-07-08 7:29

merhaba Bulent,
feels like you had a fairly harsh light for this photo, but you have managed it very well, nothing is over- or underexposed. the layered composition nicely builds the photo and helps the eye travel from the lower right corner along the diagonal towards the building in the distance, I find it emphasises how big these constructions are. but the iguana is a hidden treasure here, I'm glad I found it :)

regards,
Kristine

patshoo (944) 2008-07-08 20:06

Impressive ruin,It's pity about the palm tree but well position of focal point in this frame and good foreground to support main ruin,Well sharpness and well blue sky in background.Good work,TFS.

Cretense (58913) 2008-07-09 10:50

Hello, dear Bulent!

Excellent capture of this impressive monument! Flawless composition and framing, perfect light managment, i think it lacks a little bit of sharpness, but maybe it's just my idea. A "must see" place! As always, very interesting note, too! Congratulations!

Warm regards,
Hercules

isabela_sor (43224) 2008-07-10 11:49 [Comment]

Show Comment

dokadak (11492) 2008-07-10 13:00

Sevgili Hocam,

Tulum denince hemen bizim burdaki tulumun ezgileri, horonun kivrakligini cagristirdi :)

Renk ve detaylari, notu ile guzel paylasim... ellerinize, emeginize saglik diyor...

kackarlardan selamlar gonderiyorum
hasan

feather (51026) 2008-07-11 6:13

I prefer this wider view of the ruins to your previous post. You have provided more depth with the successive layers of walling. Also the inclusion of the tree on the left works well in the composition. I have been scrutinising the lower walls trying to find the iguana. However, is that him on the higher wall, near right? At least we can have a closer look in the WS. I also like the other WS. After you have become overheated wandering around the ruins you don't have far to walk to plunge into the sea. :D
Kath

anokutan (8440) 2008-07-12 0:11

Bülent Bey merhaba,
Tüm detaylarıyla çok başarılı bir kare.Tebrikler ve teşekkürler.

ysabaner (1067) 2008-07-12 13:39

Bülent Hocam merhaba,
Tarihi bir mekanı çok güzel bir kadrajla aktarmışsınız, elinize sağlık.
Yahya

MLINES (11225) 2008-07-12 19:40

Hi Bulent, Good perspective and without wandering crowds which can be difficult to achieve. The blue skies enhance this image and as always your interesting notes add a lot to this composition. Human sacrifice is always intriging. TFS. Murray.

Muse (31498) 2008-07-12 23:06

Hello Bulent,
Une très belle présentation de ces ruines de château dans ce très bel environnement. De très belles couleurs, une belle lumière et un tout bon cadrage.
Best regards
Denise

Graal (60312) 2008-07-13 0:12

Hi Bulent,
amazing old historical place, good informations in note. An interesting photos in WS also. Good work. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

zeynepe (9442) 2008-07-13 1:08

Bülent Bey Merhaba,
Ben tatildeyken bir ara sizin muhteşem logarithmic merdivenlerinizi görmüştüm ve eve gelir gelmez favorite'larıma alayım demiştim ...Nerdeler :)
Görmek istediğim yerler arasında üst sıralarda olan Meksika'ya azıcık da güzel notlarınız ve fotoğraflarınızla gitmiş kadar oluyorum .
Mükemmel bir kare tebrikler,
Zeynep

kermit350 (8994) 2008-07-13 2:54

Merhaba Bulent, This history of the Maya people destroyed by a Spanish army under number, share report/ratio with the Maya population, my always touched, and are for me a sad period in the history of these people, j' like much the point of view on the ruins of Tulum and this splendid inheritance in general, the quality of l' image is undeniable with a good light which ensures of beautiful colors and gives relief to this architectural whole with these various tangles and overlaps for this clear sight, clean and released well, arkadasça selamlar ..............Merhaba Bulent, Cette histoire du peuple maya anéantie par une armée espagnole en sous nombre, part rapport à la population maya, ma toujours touchée, et est pour moi une triste période dans l’histoire de ce peuple, j'aime beaucoup le point de vue sur les ruines de Tulum et ce magnifique patrimoine en général, la qualité de l'image est incontestable avec une bonne lumière qui assure de belles couleurs à et donne du relief à cet ensemble architectural avec ces différents enchevêtrements et imbrications pour cette vue nette, propre et bien dégagée, arkadasça selamlar

paura (40841) 2008-07-13 12:46

Bullent,
The composition is supperb and the technical management great. Excellent photo to show this interesting place.

Abraços do Brasil.

Paulo

WepWaWet (4032) 2008-07-14 5:15

Merhaba Bulent Bey,
Yanlis gormediysem bir onceki Maya yapisinin degisik bir acidan alinmis cok guzel bir fotografi. Agaclarin kadrajda yer almasi guzel olmus. Renkler ve detaylar mukemmel.Selamlar,
Seref

lucski (3676) 2008-07-14 15:23

hi Bulent
very nice picture, amazing place and perfect composition
very well done
TFS greetings lukasz

zmey (7296) 2008-07-15 8:25

merhaba bulent

photographically speaking: maybe not the best light for this scene. but the framing is excellent, clearling showing the majestic nature of the place. my compliments! excellent, informative note as usual from you, friend.

warm regards,
kristaps

JCG (26635) 2008-07-15 11:30

Hi Bülent,

I saw, little time ago, the film of Mel Gibson on this civilization, Apocalypto. A really enthralling history that of the Mayas. Interesting photograph on these imposing buildings. I like the relief which arises from the image. Well done Bülent, thank you.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

Cricri (45241) 2008-07-16 8:05

Hi Bulent,
Intéressante note sur la civilisation du peuple Maya...une belle mise en valeur de cet édifice, belle lumiére et couleur
Best regard
cricri

Angshu (34841) 2008-07-18 0:46

Hello Professor 'A'
I like this wider view as against your earlier post. The successive walls indeed create a good amount of depth. I think I found the iguana perched on the wall of the citadel, or am I mistaken. As always a well written & highly informative note & the interesting WSs
With Warmest Regards
Angshuman

danyy (70659) 2008-07-18 15:55

Bonjour Bulent,
un coin de la planète qui a beaucoup à nous apprendre sur les millénaires qui ont précédé le nôtre.
Des ruines qui parlent.
Un joli ciel et des lumières fortes bien maitrisées.
Excellent week-end.
Daniel.

Silvio1953 (45136) 2008-07-20 2:06

Hi Bulent great view of splendid architecture with splendid soft colors, very well done, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

cfreire (11727) 2008-07-20 13:50

Hi Bulent
Beautiful shot about these ruins of the Mayas. Your note is very informative about thes people culture. The colors, contrasts and framing are well done under a good POV. The in foreground adds more attractive for the picture. Good job. Best regards, Consuelo

sacavem (9007) 2008-07-23 1:07

OLá Bulent,

I like very much the castles, great architecture. Good composed photo. Very good colour, contrast and definition.
Regards,
Filipe

Buin (39562) 2008-07-23 4:25

Hallo Bulent!
What impressive walls! The light here - the play of light and shadows - helped you to emphasize their monumentality. This must be a great, and perhaps an a bit touching place ...
Greetings from Germany!
Frank

wishlist (4133) 2008-07-24 16:23

Hello Bulent,
there's a beautiful and really appealing scent of history in this picture, very well presented, with a great note as always. This riuns have through the eras and they're still standing proudly, with the mexican sky as beautiful bg. Quality is excellent with well defined details throughout and very natural colours. A fine job indeed.
Thanks for sharing it and regards,

Igor

kibele66 (2930) 2008-07-25 8:01

Hello Dear Bulent,
When I saw your Yucatan Maya photos I felt good and sad. Sad because all my Mexico photos are wanished away when my computer collpased all of a sudden. And there were no copies.
But I enjoyed a lot in Mexico full of history, particularly the Maya civilization.
Thanks for bringing these photos and bringing my memories back. I really felt better.
Perfect note as always.

sevgiler ve selamlar
Sibel

ahmetgedikli (22649) 2008-07-27 9:21

Herşey bir yana ismi bana çok tanıdık geldi hocam! Rizeliler mi göçmüş oraya diye düşündüm doğrusu:)
Ellerinize sağlık, selamlar, saygılar.
Ahmet

asajernigan (14898) 2008-07-28 5:16

Bulent,
This is a great view of these wonderful ruins. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and detail. The addition of the palm adds nice contrast to the stone structures as well as providing balance for the temple.
TFS,
Asa

Bluejeans (34486) 2008-07-30 9:52

Ola amigo ,
Mais uma belas ruínas dos Maias com a sua arquitectura magnifica, um belo ponto de visão com estas palmeiras junto dos templos , bom contraste de cores, parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

meltemi (9746) 2008-08-27 1:00

Hello dear Bülent,
a splendid landscape determines this beauty architectural, you found an adequate point of view, delivering a very beautiful realization and what a excellent light here!
I like this sky which emphasizes the colors, it is an atmosphere not always easy to return, but there you catched this splendid light for underline the impressive size of this so majestic castle, in spite of his 1000 and plus years.
Very nice details even not being close to the subject. I like it very much!
All the best.
Stella

pablominto (42522) 2008-09-16 23:33

Hello Bulent,

I like this well balanced composition, showing the ancient site so well!
The angle of light adds 3-dimensionality to the structures, sharp fine details and the colours are well reproduced...
A good documentary but not without postcard qualities!

Greetings,
Pablo -

edal (6687) 2008-09-24 19:27

Hi Bulent Bey!
Great colors and detail, excellent dof. The iguana and the beach workshops are excellent extras, which deserved posting them separately.
Dostça,
Anton

michelleknight (57) 2010-01-23 7:58

Hello Bulent,
Very nice shot of this beautiful place. The difficult part in taking pictures like this is often the large number of tourists everywhere.
Because I was there last year, I can say that the light, the colours, and the feel of this image is exactly as I remember it.
Michelle