Eating a mountain Photo

Photographer’s Note

The interior of Sinai is a baking wilderness of jagged rocks, drifting sand and wind-scoured gravel pans, awesome in its desolation. In fact, Sinai looks far too dramatic – and too beautiful – to be dismissed as "24,000 square miles of nothing".

People come here to climb Mount Sinai and visit St. Catherine's Monastery on the way up, but there's a lot of alternative treks around the village of St. Catherine and the landscape isn't any diferent from Mount Sinai. That's what I did to avoid the tourists. To fully apreciate the silence and beauty of this place one should be alone. Tourists actually can't trek alone here but it's not a stricked rule and I think it's more a way to give work to bedouins that can make extra money as mountain guides.
I spent several days making short climbs around the village of St. Catherine and never got tired of admiring the moonscape beauty and views of this montain. This was captured in one of those walks about one hour before sunset, looking to North Sinai. The village of St. Catherine is on my back.

WS - diferent view showing the shape of this natural 'window' from another angle.

Hellas, papagolf21, bostankorkulugu, belido, zeynepe, saylan-cb, lucasgalodoido, paura, feather, siamesa, jafadabret, mortijo, Gerrit, Cricri, kiks, JCG, carper, ALIRIZA, nivaldo, shevchenko, AiresSantos, Photo65Net, PixelTerror, robertosalguero, Graal, tober, josepmarin, jhm, Bluejeans, stego, ChrisJ, Scharan, Emile, Benedict, jean11-3, Henryk_Bilor, manatee, xuaxo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

npecanhuk (12947) 2009-02-14 2:15

Olá Ricardo!
A idéia foi excelente e muito bem realizada! O controle da luz está perfeito, assim como a nitidez e a profundidade! Essa rocha, com seu formato, realmente parece uma grande e monstruosa boca que vai engolir todo o mais! Que pena, o fundo me parece bastante atraente também, com aquelas montanhas peladas, de formatos exóticos e belas! Gostei muito! Um grande trabalho fotográfico! Parabéns, abraços e até logo!
Neyvan

Hellas (5089) 2009-02-14 2:32

Hi Ricardo!
You did a very good job!
The exposure is excellent!
The best balance of shadow and highlight detail without losing too much detail in clipped shadows or blown highlights. The frame you used is terrific and the depth of the field is also very good! The colours are real and the clarity is in high level!

Thanks for letting me enjoy the view!

Best regards,
Athanasios.

Jeppo (11574) 2009-02-14 2:43

hola Ricardo,

me gusta mucho esta foto con esta "ventana" natural que hace el "frame" para el paysage....

muy bien
Silvio

papagolf21 (55872) 2009-02-14 2:43

Bonjour, cher ami Ricardo,
Il existe de par le monde des lieux qui inspirent le respect ! ici, la beauté s'exprime naturellement. Il faut dire que le choix du cadrage y est pour beaucoup.
Quelle vue ! quel spectacle offert à travers cette superbe composition.
Un grand merci de nous faire rêver.
Amitiés.
Philippe

bostankorkulugu (33328) 2009-02-14 2:47

such a romantic shot for the valentines day, some rocks eating a mountain, lol>:P... well seen and presented anyway rcrd>:)... happy VD...

belido (15997) 2009-02-14 4:19

Olá Ricardo,

pare algo surreal. Daquelas paisagens criadas em computador. É um cenário realmente lindo. Muito bem escolhido ponto de vista. Parece realmente que as montanhas serão engolidas. Bela imagem!
Abraço,
Carlos

zeynepe (9328) 2009-02-14 4:23

Ola Ric,
Where are the lovers :P
The combination of your creative eye and the natural beauties makes a splendid landscape image.
I really wonder what the wildlife is like around there.
Congrats and enjoy your weekend,
Zeynep

saylan-cb (12726) 2009-02-14 4:28

Hi Ricardo,
The landscape image is perfect with the POV,the light are excellent.Very good capture and excellent work.
TFS/Regards
Have a nice weekend.

lucasgalodoido (16537) 2009-02-14 5:07

Olá Ricardo,
bem itneressante mesmo essa foto, realmente parece que a montanha está a comer a outra. Gosto das cores da captura e dos detalhes da vila no vale. Belo trabalho.
Parabéns e Abraço

jmdias (18683) 2009-02-14 5:54

ricardo

muito linda esta vista do vale ao fundo e a textura da rocha, isso pra não falar no efeito surreal da imagem. bela luz e enquadramento. Eis um lugar que eu gostaria de conhecer já que aprecio muito os desertos e as montanhas

abraços

jorge

paura (37722) 2009-02-14 5:56

Ricardo,
Uma beleza de composição, amigo. Os detalhes são muito interessantes e a paisagem atrás um portento. Parece pouco habitada a região.

Abraço

Paulo

feather (49848) 2009-02-14 6:01

It's the 2nd time in 2 days I have seen Pacman. Did you see Avene's latest post? This was in her WS.
This main post is much better than your WS. You made the right choice. I love how the rock is enclosing the view with the mountains and the cluster of buildings. Excellent focusing and DOF making it sharp front to back.
Kath

siamesa (12359) 2009-02-14 6:13

Oi Ricardo,
Um ponto de vista interessantíssimo e uma idéia genial. A nitidez e profundidade nota 10.O lugar é com certeza digno de reverências.Parabéns.
Abraços
Maria

jasmis (49589) 2009-02-14 7:13

Interesting rock formation. And incredible view through this.
Regards.

jafadabret (38881) 2009-02-14 7:45

Bonjour Ricardo.
J'aime beaucoup ce cadre naturel fait par le rocher sous la lumière du soleil couchant. Le village et les montagnes font une agréable vue sous une belle lumière.
Excellent !
Jacques

mortijo (11937) 2009-02-14 7:59

This is extremely well framed. The view is really breathtaking. Thanks for sharing.
John

sevy (12857) 2009-02-14 8:05

Hello Ricardo,

I like a lot this photo and the title you put on it. Very funny!
It is like seeing an alive dinosaur. The point of view is really making this photo.

Yves.

jonathan_hart (22564) 2009-02-14 8:34

funny idea, good realization, the impression is obvious, really looks like the mouth of the monster...
jc

bosskokoss (1582) 2009-02-14 9:58

Hello Ricardo. Wow , wow , wow !!! Very good photo. Fantastic view, nice colours and good sharpness. Regards Piotr.

gilou530 (34657) 2009-02-14 10:00

salut ricardo
un POV en plongée qui nous donne une sacré vue plongeante de cette vallée , un cadre naturel avec ces rochers du premier plan, bon travail
amitiés
gilbert

Gerrit (35417) 2009-02-14 10:43

Hi Ricardo,
what a wonderful shapes in this barren land. Great lihjt and colors too.
Regards, Gerrit

RedDevil (1071) 2009-02-14 10:46

Very original, very nice. Bravo
Salvatore

Cricri (42735) 2009-02-14 10:56

Hola Ric
Bien pensé le cadrage c'est orignal et surtout trés beau on appréçie d'autant plus le paysage tout en profondeur, bon complément en WS
Have a nice weekend
cricri

kiks (5967) 2009-02-14 12:08

Hi Ric, i like the idea of this shot! Also the contrast of teh vivid colors from de fg with the more soft at the bg gives a good effect.
Best regards
KIKs

chris04stop (2157) 2009-02-14 13:28

BRAVISSIMO Ricardo! I love SO much this image! I love the landscape,a great landscape. And the natural frame you chose is simply wonderful!
Anna Paola

gneufeld (14989) 2009-02-14 19:14

Hi Ricardo,
A spectacular perspective with amazing depth showing good clarity from near to far. I like the textures of the rock formation in the foreground and the light is good. Great work and TFS. Gerald

JCG (24783) 2009-02-15 4:00

Hi Ricardo,

A mountain hungry !!! Original framing induced wisely this title. An arid landscape softens this beautiful light. I love the texture of the foreground and the view on the valley. Beautiful and interesting photo, thank you Ricardo for the WS.

With all my friendships and a very good Sunday,

Jean-Charles

carper (63968) 2009-02-15 9:47

interesting place my friend.
it look likes a mouth that's eating, good composition, very good depth in it, well taken shot I like it a lot. have a good evening Ricardo.
regard jaap

ALIRIZA (16195) 2009-02-15 12:56

Hi Ricardo,
Some rocks eating a mountain. Really very beautiful and interesting idea and frame. Well done my dear friend...
Have a nice new week...
Ali Rıza

nivaldo (12856) 2009-02-15 17:08

Muito original e muito bonita imagem, Ricardo!
Grande POV! Parabéns,
um abraço,
Nivaldo

shevchenko (9724) 2009-02-15 21:31

Hi Ricardo,
Creative pov and creative title to match with the view, detail to see plain and mountains ranges, interesting to see some hidden houses with color almost same to the surrounding environment, thanks for sharing a great view.
Ally

AiresSantos (41220) 2009-02-16 0:13

Ola Ricardo
Excelente vista do vale com este belissimo enquadramento. Magnifica profundidade de campo
Abraco e boa semana
Aires

bantonbuju (48334) 2009-02-16 2:46

hehe... good title, indeed it's a sort of self-consumption of the mountain...

i love that warm light of the middle east...

bw, j.

John_F_Kennedy (30545) 2009-02-16 3:00

Impressive. I like this valley with the mountains in the BG very much. Excellent job.
Best wishes,
Achim

Photo65Net (43084) 2009-02-16 3:34

Hello Ricardo,
Amazing one !
I like a lot your compo,a nd the light you caught.
Amazing job !
Have a nice day,
JB.

coco (27560) 2009-02-16 7:50

Hi Ricardo.

What can I say of this picture? Nice, smart, fun,... I like it. But I would like be the one who made it... but that's not possible.

Thanks for sharing.

sacavem (8032) 2009-02-16 13:45

Olá Ricardo,

Obrigado por partilhares esta bela imagem da natureza.O pov é muito bom bem como o aproveitamento da luz no local.Isso é que é Travel amigo:)
Um abraço,
Filipe

PixelTerror (85994) 2009-02-16 22:44

Ola Ricardo
Nice framing, gives the impression you're surfing on a rock wave, good depth on the valley behind.
Have a nice day jY

Waylim (10667) 2009-02-17 0:10

Ricardo,
Very funny name and yes, it does looks a giant is eating up the landscape. Great POV and good DoF. All is very nice and sharpe and also make a really good composition. So much details and features for us too look at. the texture of the foreground is also really impressive.
Way

robertosalguero (2759) 2009-02-17 0:19

Ola Ricardo,

Interesting feature in this mountain. The view nevertheless is amazing. It dies look like a lot of empty space and rugged mountains around this area. Good point of view to create the effect of a wide open mouth. Good work :-)

Roberto

Angshu (33215) 2009-02-17 0:36

Ola Ric
Well seen! The rock in the FG does look like a giant mouth, with sharp teeth..perhaps of a monster. Like the WS post as well which gives a wider view & a good idea about the place. Exposure is well managed in the hazy BG as well. Well seen & well realised!
Friendly Regards
Angshu

Graal (57208) 2009-02-17 2:35

Hi Ricardo,
unusual view on the valley. Good POV and composition. Amazing place. Good WS also. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

tober (3872) 2009-02-17 2:36

Hello Ricardo, that's wonder of nature and this creative photo of yours is wonder of arts. This peninsula is one of the places which I want to visit in the future, due to its peculiar characteristics and mystery.

Best regards,

Tolga

josepmarin (33571) 2009-02-17 4:10

Olá Ricardo,
buen título para esta toma, realmente esta formación rocosa parece una boca intentando comerse las montañas y el valle.
Bien visto este encuadre para conseguir este efecto óptico, interesante y potente.
Me gusta mucho tu trabajo con la luz y las sombras sobre la roca y el valle, y la profundidad de la imagen, que nos lleva la vista muy lejos. Los colores y las texturas son magníficos.
Un excelente trabajo, amigo.
Un abrazo,
Josep

jhm (81637) 2009-02-17 4:27

Hello Ricardo,

The colours are real and the clarity is in high level.
A spectacular perspective with amazing depth showing good clarity from near to far.
The light and colours are very nice and form a beautiful contrast with the blue sky.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Bluejeans (31479) 2009-02-17 5:55

Oi amigo ,
Um Pac-mam de pedra :) , muito bonito este desenho da pedra já gasta pelo tempo , o vale e lindo bonitos tons de castanho ,bom enquadramento da foto , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

stego (22318) 2009-02-17 14:45

Olá Ricardo,

Perspectiva fantástica! A formação rochosa deve dar panos para mangas, mas o sentido humorístico desta é impagável. De certa forma é notável que apesar disso, aproveite na mesma a grandiosidade da paisagem extremamente árida. O perfil da rocha faz mesmo lembrar uma goela, talvez de um hipopótamo, mas tb. faz lembrar um pacman gigante, como diz a Kath.

Tb. gosto muito do WS, com aquela diagonal, fo crescente formado pelo buraco na rocha, da presença das casinhas lá em baixo e da simetria entre a parte mais escura à direita e o céu muito azul. No entanto tem menos impacto que o post principal. Em ambas se nota uma manchinha que suponho que deve ser sujidade no sensor. Só espero que tenhas conseguido livrar-te dela.

Um abraço, José.

ChrisJ (69430) 2009-02-18 3:49

Ola Ricardo

Wonderful use of the fg semi rock arch to frame the disatant valley. I like the high pov & warm colours. Good sharpness, & tfs!

Scharan (13951) 2009-02-18 12:18

Olá Ricardo

Bonita e curiosa composição...
Ótima luz e sombras, bonitas cores e textura.
Parabéns Ricardo!
GA
Vera

Emile (19775) 2009-02-18 13:17

Hola Ricardo.
Encuentro esta foto espectacular con el arco de la roca que te sirve de marco por el cual podemos ver la magnifica vista del valle con las impresionantes montañas a su alrededor. La fuerte iluminacion de la roca en primer plano sirve de perspectiva y al mismo tiempo provoca profundidad a tu foto. Muy bien captada, valió la pena el esfuerzo de subir a este punto para tomarla. Tu WS es bueno pero prefiero esta.
Un fuerte abrazo.

berek (28750) 2009-02-20 23:58

Olá! Ricardo,

prendedor maravilhoso do sinal. pensamento inteligente e bom resultado. tenha um fim de semana agradável.

Burak

Benedict (7060) 2009-02-25 23:19

excellent point of view. golden colors very well achieved of this "24,00sq miles of nothing" but beauty!
Benedict

pboehringer (770) 2009-02-28 8:19

Ricardo,
composicao muito boa com esta rocha em aberto a frente e o vale com a aldeia ao fundo. Fico bastante surpreso em notar que mesmo com um f/8 voce conseguiu uma completa nitidez perfeita.
Peter

leo61 (42740) 2009-02-28 23:21

Hi Ricardo!
I like how the mountains in the distance are framed by this nice rock,created from wind and rain.Excellent POV and great depth.
Regards,Leo

jean11-3 (2799) 2009-03-01 8:43

The sharp quality of this shot is outstanding Ricardo.
You give us a great 'window' looking down to the valley, and even though there are deep shadows we can still pick out lots of detail.
Excellent work.
Tfs,regards Jean.

adramad (3228) 2009-03-03 14:43

Hola Ricardo
Un original y muy conseguido encuadre para esta preciosa foto,la nitidez y la luz del primer plano, contrasta muy bien con la ligera bruma de las lejanas montañas.
Saludos.

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2009-04-12 3:31

Ola Ricardo
Great idea and exellent capture with a deep perspective! I like the light and the rock formation.
Have a nice Easter :).

manatee (4279) 2009-05-01 1:32

Muy buena foto en verdad lo dificil ha se der el tener que responder a los 60 y tantas personas que escribieron aqui :))

Si hay algun lugra mistico que me gustaria concoer es este, Santa Catalina de Sinai un lugar muy interesante y poco accesible pero con mucha historia y con muchos enigmas, me imagino la musica la comida y todo lo interesante que ha de existir ene ste lugar

Saludos Ric y graicias por tus mensajes, por tu amistad y por tus hermosas fotos amigo

Saludos y buen fin de semana

Un abrazo
Elias

xuaxo (5623) 2009-05-19 8:38

Olá Ricardo,
O que é que hei-de acrescentar? Uma oportunidade muito bem aproveitada. Um excelente resultado.
Cumprimentos,
Francisco

Urs (2409) 2009-06-02 3:20

An absolutely great shot with all the hues of red. The rock in the foreground is perfectly positioned to lead the eye of the viewer towards the valley. There is nothing what - in my view - should be added, it already is an extraordinary picture. Keep in coming

Best regards Urs

Photo Information

Copyright: Ricardo Lopes (riclopes) (32823)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-27
Categories: Nature
Camera: Samsung Pro815
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Ney's favorite pictures of Africa!, JB's Daily Pick(s) From Your Pics II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-02-14 2:12