Inside the Karnak Temple (300th post) Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Karnak temple complex, universally known only as Karnak, describes a vast conglomeration of ruined temples, chapels, pylons and other buildings. It is located near Luxor in Egypt. This was ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut ("The Most Selected of Places"), the main place of worship of the Theban Triad with Amun as its head, in the monumental city of Thebes. The complex retrieves its current name from the nearby and partly surrounding modern village of el-Karnak, some 2.5km north of Luxor.The complex is a vast open-air museum and the largest ancient religious site in the world. It is probably the second most visited historical site in Egypt, second only to the Giza Pyramids near Cairo. It consists of four main parts (precincts), of which only the largest, the Precinct of Amun-Re, is open to the general public. The term Karnak is often understood as being the Precinct of Amun-Re only, as this is the only part most visitors normally see. The three other parts, the Precinct of Montu, the Precinct of Mut and the dismantled Temple of Amenhotep IV, are closed to the public. There also are a few smaller temples and sanctuaries located outside the enclosing walls of the four main parts, as well as several avenues of human and ram-headed sphinxes connecting the Precinct of Mut, the Precinct of Amun-Re, and Luxor Temple.
The temple of Karnak is famous for its 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows in the Hypostyle Hall. 122 of these columns are 10 meters tall, and the other 12 are 21 meters tall with a diameter of over three meters. The architraves on top of these columns weigh an estimated 70 tons. These architraves may have been lifted to these heights using levers. This would be an extremely time-consuming process and would also require great balance to get to such great heights. A common alternative theory is that there were large ramps made of sand mud brick or stone and the stones were towed up the ramps. If they used stone for the ramps they would have been able to build the ramps with much less material. The top of the ramps would presumably have either wooden tracks or cobblestones to tow the megaliths on. There is a unfinished pillar in an out of the way location that indicated how they finished it. The finish carving was done after the drums were put in place.Several experiments moving megaliths with ancient technology were done at other locations some of them are listed here. There is a double row of sphinxes leading to the temple of Luxor. There are several colossal statues including the figure of Panejem which is 10.5 meters tall. The sandstone for this temple, including all the columns, was transported from Gebel Silsila 100 miles south on the Nile river. It also has one of the largest obelisks weighing 328 tonnes and standing 29 meters tall.
The key difference between Karnak and most of the other temples and sites in Egypt is the length of time over which it was developed and used. Construction work began in the 16th century BC. Approximately thirty pharaohs contributed to the buildings, enabling it to reach a size, complexity, and diversity not seen elsewhere. Few of the individual features of Karnak are unique, but the size and number of features are overwhelming. Construction of temples started in the Middle Kingdom and continued through to Ptolemaic times.

ribeiroantonio, Bluejeans, mauro61, akm, Silvio1953, vasilpro, Jeppo, cirano, KLB, Clementi, clio, danyy, mkamionka, Budapestman, AiresSantos, patdeph, amaryllis, stego has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ribeiroantonio (21749) 2009-06-23 10:03

Congratulations for the first 300 in TE. I hope to have the pleasure of admiring the next 300. This one is beautiful, with the view through what seems to be a huge gate. Very nice colours and an excellent warm light. I like it. Well done.
Antonio

Morac (19966) 2009-06-23 10:05

Bonsoir Luciano,
C'est avec un grand plaisir que je t'adresse mes félicitations pour ce 300th post.
Merci pour ton travail, merci pour ta fidélité à TE, merci pour le plaisir que tu nous donnes.
Amicalement
Marc

npecanhuk (13101) 2009-06-23 10:06

Ciao Luciano!
Bellissima!
The framing with the silhouette of the arch was an excellent idea! The view beyond was ver well composed, with beautiful colors and outstanding management of ligh!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

dawekato (1986) 2009-06-23 10:43

Beautiful composition and light. Too bad aout the tourist at the lower left intersection of thirds.

ciakgiak (10150) 2009-06-23 10:45

Ciao Luciano,
ed io di questo passo quando ci arrivo alle 300 foto... tra una decina d'anni!
Congratulazioni e complimenti per la foto scelta, un'altra perla che arriva da un posto incantevole, anche questa piena di luce e bei colori e con una splendida cornice naturale. Grande Luciano.
Un abbraccio
Giorgio

Bluejeans (31633) 2009-06-23 10:52

Ola Luciano ,
Linda esta tua foto em tons de azul e dourado , parece uma cidade de ouro , gostei muito dos detalhes, boa inclusão desta janela em primeiro plano a fazer de moldura , boas cores e luz, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

dta (4432) 2009-06-23 10:54

Bonjour Luciano ,
félicitations pour ta 300 éme . Encore une photo qui nous fait rêver . les couleurs et la lumières sont merveilleuses et magnifient ces vieilles pierres . L'encadrement est très bien vu . Et la présence ndu touriste ne me gêne pas , car cela donne une échelle .
Amicalement
Denis

mauro61 (14702) 2009-06-23 11:07

ciao luciano,
e cosi' attraversi la porta dei 300 post...ottimo lavoro questo e i precedenti tuoi.
Ottima la luce come il lavoro in PP e splendida la cornice naturale.
un caro saluto
maurizio

akm (640) 2009-06-23 11:49

Ciao Luciano,
Congratulations! This is a beauty -- great frame, composition and delicate light -- and your note is outstanding. I've really enjoyed your Egyptian eplorations.
Best regards,
Mary

COSTANTINO (22221) 2009-06-23 12:08

Hello friend
At first thanks for sharing with us this amazing photo
presenting the Karnak temple located near Luxor in
Egypt..Marvellous capture like a page of a historic
book,great framing that makes it more impressive..
Compliments for your 3ooth photo,well done and well seen,many wishes for more better and worthseeing photos
regards
Costantino

rodgerg (23151) 2009-06-23 12:20

Ciao Caro Luciano,

Complimenti per la tua 3OOth vista. Ottima è originale inquadratura. Molto bello utilizzo della luce dà bei colori caldi. Ottimo fotolavoro.
Buona sera,
Roger

Silvio1953 (40881) 2009-06-23 12:27

Ciao ancora Luciano, hai scelto bene la foto per festeggiare la tua 300ma, magnifica luce e bella inquadratura sulle maestose rovine di Karnak, bella la cornice costruita dal portale, bravo e complimenti, ciao Silvio

vasilpro (8055) 2009-06-23 13:05

Hello Luciano,
Excellent photo for your 300th.Great light management, beautiful frame from inside. Congratulations!
Regards, Vasilis.

Jeppo (11624) 2009-06-23 13:36

congratulazioni per la tua 300esima foto.
immagine molto calda ed accesa...eccellente uso dell'hdr

bravo e continua così
jeppo

chris04stop (2181) 2009-06-23 13:47

Bella, accesa, come incendiata di luce. E mi piace moltissimo questa sorta di cornice , vagamente cupa, che hai voluto dare a una foto così ricca di luce intensa. Bravooo!!
Anna Paola

Ninello52 (3220) 2009-06-23 14:35

Ciao Luciano!
E' davvero fantastica la tua serie Egiziana! Sei stato ispirato dalla musa della bellezza, le composizioni sono dei veri quadri d'autore! Hai assimilato un grande senso della composizione e del colore, della spettacolarità dell'immaggine! Una goduria vedere questi spettacoli!
Saluti, Nino.

ghilain (1714) 2009-06-23 14:36

Ciao Luciano,

grazie per la sua 300a post!
Light is fantastic!

TFS

brigitte

cirano (1277) 2009-06-23 14:41

Slav Lûcîano,
Congratulations for your 300. post in TE.Wonderful perspective,frame,color and composition and fantastic light.Excellent sharpness.I very like.
Thanks for sharing and Regards,
Dûrzan

KLB (17824) 2009-06-23 15:02

Ciao Luciano

Congrats for your 300th post and for your whole gallery.
Your excellent pictures are a pleasure to look at, and you have a very personal style. Hope you'll stay a long time on the site !
Onca again, you've managed here a marvelous light to enhance the wonderful egyptian architecture, and the quality is striking. Also your framing is perfectly thought.
Compliments, and go for the 100 next ones ;o)

Regards
Karine

Clementi (42957) 2009-06-23 15:51

Ciao Luciano,
complimenti per il traguardo raggiunto, magari senza squalifiche lo avresti raggiunto prima, comunque veniamo alla foto, molto bello come hai incorniciato il monumento, c'e' da dire che secondo me a destra la luce sia un poco troppo forte e i colori saturi ma potrebbe anche essere il monitor, percio' ti promuovo.
Giorgio
p.s. occhio ai bordi che si colorano di magenta nelle zone in ombra

emka (21143) 2009-06-23 15:59

Ciao Luciano,

Congratulations on the occasion of 300th post! Splendid composition with the natural frame. Nace view of the obelisks. Beautiful warm colours. Excellent light. Splendid place.

Ciao

Malgorzata

mvdisco (11370) 2009-06-23 18:45

Bonjour Luciano,Ciao..
En premier Toutes mes félicitations pour ces 300 POSTS..
Magnifique composition aux riches couleurs ,
Excellent POV./DOF. bien présenté et encadré tout naturel., Belle note sur le sujet et détails.
Complimenti..
Michel

clio (22390) 2009-06-23 22:41

Ciao Luciano,
Ancia questa è meravigliosa con la sua cornice nera formata da questa "finestra." Il contrasto creato da questa luce dorata è fantastico.
Un immenso "Bravo" per queste 300 foto, è un piacere molto grande per me di venire sulla tua galleria.
Diane
Mi sembra che abbia un poco troppo forzato sulla pulizia in questa immagine, ciò io gene un poco intorno all'obelisco, ma l'immagine resta magnifica!

bobocortis (14130) 2009-06-23 22:56

Caro Luciano.
L'Egitto è la tua seconda patria, si sposa bene con la tua sensibilità e il tuo talento. Questa foto doppiamente incorniciata è eccellente, con un intervento in pp incisivo ma non snaturante.
Complimenti per i tuoi 300 post, mi sei ormai alle calcagna..
Ciao.
Bobo.

danyy (68040) 2009-06-23 23:35

Bonjour Luciano,
un cap qui ne passe pas inaperçu, celui des 300 photos, et félicitations pour cette constance et cette participation à faire découvir le monde au travers de tes photos.

Ici,; les couleurs sont géniales et j'aime beaucoup le cadre naturel que tu as utilisé comme fenêtre de prise de vue.
Des lumi!ères bien maitrisées malgré que très fortes, ont permis à ces teintes de bien s'exprimer.

Avec toute mon amitié.
Daniel.

Budapestman (41066) 2009-06-24 5:15

Hi Luciano,
Amazing atmosphere with glittering gold lights, the framing is beautiful. This is a splendid choice to the occasion, great shot, indeed.
Congratulations for your 300th post and your beautiful collection!
Have a nice day!
George

AiresSantos (41418) 2009-06-24 5:16

Hi Luciano
First of all, congratulations for the 300th post in TE!
Excellent composition with great vivid colours
I like a lot the texture and how you framed it
TFS and have a nice day
Aires

Cricri (42853) 2009-06-24 5:23

Cioa Luciano
Très joli la façon dont tu a traité les couleurs et le cadrage sur une vue intéressante pleine histoire
Félicitations pour cette 300ème et merçi de ta sympathie
Bello giorno
cricri

foozi (4585) 2009-06-24 7:10

Hi Luciano,
you have been to this wonderful place. You have depicted the place is a plesant and excellent way. Thanks for sharing, for going there it is not going possible for the time being.
Nice natural framing with brilliant light balance.
The beauty is also in the texture of this stones and pillars.
Well presented in a well thought shot.

regards,
Foozi

patdeph (17452) 2009-06-24 8:49

hello Luciano
congratulations for this splendid 300th photo!I love how you have photographed the ruins through the door,and I love the golden colors that the light has given to the stones!Their contrast with the blue sky is magnificent!A wionderful picture!
Regards
Pascakle

kiks (5991) 2009-06-24 10:00

REaly great the warmlight on this image. MAGIC! and i love the way you use the window to frame the outside of the temple.
TFS
KIKS

amaryllis (17101) 2009-06-24 11:10

Bonjour
et félicitations pour ton 300 eme post de ces pierres et architecture et surtout cette couleur et luminosité sur ces pierres qui sont excellentes
bravo et bonne continuation
juliette

aadilj (17950) 2009-06-25 1:08

This is a magical shot for your 300th Luciano. There are no wrods to describe it. it burns with energy and passion. Its magical

stego (22336) 2009-06-25 12:03

Ciao Luciano,
It's an excellent choice for the notorious event. Congratulations! I remember this exact POV when I visited this amazing place, but it was a time that I didn't do much photo and I still used film. However, there were two crucial differences in my vision that wouldn't allow me to get such a great photo, even if I was able to get your inspiration and skills: the light/hour of the day and the almost absence of people. The light and the warm colours are an important part of the charm here, although the compo is also great.
Saluti,
José

cobra112 (11222) 2009-06-30 12:08

Ciao Luciano. Scusa il ritardo. Ti sei regalato una magnifica luce dorata importante e degna dell 'evento. Ciao amico. Alle prossime.

Roberto

emilbo (9149) 2009-07-08 6:56

Ciao Luciano!
Magnifique photo de ce vieux temple bien encadré, le soleil était plus présent que dans mon dernier post. Une scène très intéressante accompagnée d'une excellente note. Bel éclairage et superbe couleur.
Excuse-moi si je ne te suis pas mais je suis très occupé et je manque de temps.
Félicitations!... et bonne journée,
Emilius

manatee (4279) 2009-07-24 0:36

I was in the page of Marie Luoise and I saw your pic and saw your work wich is amazing you has been in many oarts of the world is wonderful to see all the pictures you have a wonderful caera and an amazing gift to see a grate picture, I like your work I choose this because is really a marvelous work I love egypt and I like so much the colors and the perpective of your shot

Greetings from thelas point of the north of Mexico

Elias

jrj (34779) 2009-07-30 6:02

Well made capture of this place L.
You use the details well and have natural framing by the gate that is most interesting. Good work.