The guard Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

THe guard in the ebtrance of the Dolmabahce Palace stood there for hours, in the heat of the day, without moving a muscle, looking always at the same distant point.
---------
The Dolmabahce Palace was built between 1843 and 1856 when the Ottoman Empire was losing its power. This superb palace displays the richness and power that the Sultans had. The decline of the Ottoman Empire began and people starting revolting; the Ottoman army was obsolete and disorganized, the economy was out of control.
The Dolmabahce Palace is located on the west, European shore of the Bosphorus and is enormous. It has 248 rooms, 43 entrance halls, 6 Turkish baths and approximately 2.700 windows. It is divided into two sections: the official part - where the sultan would receive distinguished guests from all over the world and the Harem - where the Sultan's wife, mother and concubines lived.
The palace is sumptuously decorated throughout - Bakara crystals, pictures by famous artists, luxurious furniture, rugs and carpets from the famous carpet manufacturers of the city Hereke. Every square meter was decorated with the best money can buy.

A 2,000 square-meters salon has a crystal chandelier weighing 4.5 tons which was a present from the Queen Victoria of England. To heat this enormous salon it was necessary have to begin 3 days before the event.

Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, lived and governed Turkey from this palace for just 3 months. You can visit his simple, modest bed-room and office, symbolic of a man who lived and died for his country.

mismet, nwoehnl, ChrisJ, dsidwell, jhm, Rockyboy, joseelias, HaBeMa, tayfun, niknik has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mismet (1312) 2005-06-18 14:50

Hello Yitzhak,
So you have been in Istanbul ha,hope you enjoyed your time.This is a great photo i think.The expression of the soldier,desaturated background,the light.And your note is very informative.Congratulations.
M.Ismet

nwoehnl (120) 2005-06-18 16:01

Again a nice portrait from your recent trip, Itzik. Well framed with the guard in the right part of the frame and leaving space for him to glance into. You isolated him well from the background palace with the choice of DOF.

clodreno (0) 2005-06-19 3:38

A ncie protrait yitzhak. it's incredible, everywhere I saw guads like this, england, denmark... always still.
i don't think i could manage..
well done.

dolin (15647) 2005-06-19 4:51

Hi Yitzhak.
Excellent portrait.
I like this angle and this perfect light.
Very good white.
The DOF is really good too.
Great shot.
Fred

ChrisJ (70443) 2005-06-19 5:42

Hi Yitzhak

An informative accompanying note. Good pov with excellent sharpness & color. I like the desaturated background. Well done!

dsidwell (9745) 2005-06-19 11:31

There is such an interesting contrast between the man and the background--this just makes for a very engaging, unique portrait, especially with the man's hard expression.

jhm (83684) 2005-06-19 14:06

Hi Yitzhak,
I like specially the portrait in colour and the rest in B/W, very interesting note too.
Best regards,
John

maphoto (8076) 2005-06-19 22:50

Nice portrait Yitzhak, excellent depth and nice architecture as a background, very clear photo and well composed, well done.

nerve (10216) 2005-06-20 4:46

Hi Yitzhak,

Quite a good idea to isolate this famous Dolmabahce Palace's guard by desaturating and a shallow DOF..
Good composition too. I appreciate your note..
Well done and greetings.

Rockyboy (20582) 2005-06-20 9:12

I travelled also a little this week-end but in Spain, Yitzhak! I like very much your framing of this guard and the DOF. The desaturation of the background is an excellent idea too! Bravo!

keribar (42760) 2005-06-22 23:48

Hello Yitzhak,

This is a place I see almost twice a day, but I never thought about taking this picture. It appears that I was wrong , because I think it shows many aspects of Turkey. Your close-up and the DOF is excellent. Good shot - Keep well - Izzet

bullabulla (3488) 2005-06-24 19:33

Hello Yitzhak
bvery beautiful portrait with a veru good DOF
his look is very stern
thanks for that
Laetitia

premels (2400) 2005-06-28 15:30

Hi Yitzhak, Excellent portrait, the light on his face is soft without too strong shadows despite the helmet. I like this one better than the next. His far stare is clearly visible on this one.

joseelias (367) 2005-06-30 12:17

Very nice image Yitzhak. The DOF is great by enhancing the presence of the soldier, which is increased by the BW background. Also like the light in this one as it keeps the face in the shadow and thus turns is expression more somber and strong.

RGatward (19751) 2005-08-28 5:23

Hi Yitzhak, looks like you've had a fun summer. What a good idea for a porrait here. Nicely framed with good DoF.

HaBeMa (1326) 2006-11-05 7:15