DEEP BLUE — PRISTINE WHITE Photo

Photographer’s Note

DEEP BLUE — PRISTINE WHITE

The colors of the Greek flag appear to embody the colors of the Greek Islands, and nowhere more dramatically than in the most geologically interesting island of them all, Santorini, in the Cyclades. In 1628 BC the immense volcano comprising the better part of the island erupted cataclysmically, sending volcanic debris hundreds of miles from the Island. Estimated to have been many times more powerful than the eruption that destroyed the Indonesian Island of Krakatoa in 1893, it must have affected worldwide weather for years. One city left buried by the eruption at Santorini was Akrotiri, the remains of which are thought by many scholars to have been Plato’s ‘Lost City of Atlantis.’ The explosion left behind a caldera in the form of an immense horseshoe with a dimple-like island in the center, most of the mountain having collapsed into the deep sea.

The precise date for the event comes from “dendrochronology,” or dating by counting tree ring. Evidence of the eruption was found in the particular tree ring corresponding to 3635 years ago (among the multitude of rings) in some of the wood found in Tutanhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. This is as precise as archaeological dating can be performed, and more precise than radiocarbon dating with C-14.

I had been giving lectures on the Crystal Symphony when the luxurious cruise liner anchored in the caldera of Santorini. With close friends, I rented a car and drove from Fira to Oia, and it was at the latter town that I saw this iconic image of the blue church dome and pristine white buildings, set against the intense blue of the water and sky.

I shot the image with my Nikon D-70, and created the white mat using Photoshop. In such mats, the inner gold line emulates the beveled edge of the mat, and gold pin stripes are decorations in the manner of French mats. I have seen framers cut cardboard mats for my own drawings and lithographs in this manner. I wonder if this mat is too wide, making the image itself artificially small?

Ertan, Nicou, evanrizo, isabela_sor, KemaLMerT, delic, Xalkida, Yar, teutza, gypsygirl58, stego, arnabchat, JCG, chrisnet, thea0211, alvaraalto, sanalytis, Henryk_Bilor, bhuniatrekearth, jhm, Emiel_Skyfreak, a_i_ren, bostankorkulugu, TeresaT, sabanuluca, balatrek, boonie, pablominto, tibervince, salvator, saylan-cb, fkokol, arturo, drago, realimis, madux, danos, HIRAKZ, Aliza, bigboroboy, manatee, jackpkn, smash2707, happypoppeye, mineelci, henrytf, Hendrika, loves_summer has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Ertan (2979) 2007-01-21 14:03

Merhaba Bulent Abi.
Mavi ve Beyaz = 2 Renk. Bu resim harikaaaaa.
Favorimdesin :)
Sevgiler ve saygilar.
Ertan

Nicou (45673) 2007-01-21 14:05

Hello,

Très beau panorama de rêve avec ce bleu-bleu.

Félicitations.

Nicou

evanrizo (456) 2007-01-21 14:07

Hi Bulent.
Very good seen.
I think in a dificult light situation you have good controled it. Nice frame.

Catspjm (153) 2007-01-21 14:16

Beatiful pic and view. Very George Meis! Really makes you want to be there. Have to say I hate the frame though. Think it does nothong at all for the image.

sufi (9568) 2007-01-21 14:18

Merhaba Bülent Bey...
Gercekten göz alici bir mavi... Beyaz ile olan karsitligi da harika... Ayrica IsIk, bakis acisi, perspketif de cok güzel...
Ellerinize saglik...
Saglicakla kalin..
Salim.

KemaLMerT (11210) 2007-01-21 14:19

Merhaba,
Bu gün yüzlerce fotoğrafa baktım,
Recep Yüksel ve sizinki benim en çok ilgimi çeken ve beğendiğim oldu.
Kompozisyon,renkler,.. çerçeveye kadar tümü ile çok güzel.
Elinize sağlık.
Saygılarımla,
Kemal Mert

veve (4149) 2007-01-21 15:35

Hi Bulent.
Very simple and very nice picture!
I like the strong contrast white-blue here.
Beautiful architecture.
Great composition and POV!
Best wishes,
Veronica

Xalkida (11740) 2007-01-21 15:40

Hi Bulent

Marvelous work. The white and blue are magnificent and the combination into your photo is awesome! Wonderful job.

teutza (10568) 2007-01-21 16:22

what a beautiful color...so perfect..and.i love those white houses from greece!!:)
TFS!
teo

delic (6735) 2007-01-21 17:29

Hello Bulent,
I have seen tons of pictures from this part of the world but yours is one of the best for its simplicity. The matching colors of the dome and water is visually pleasing and the two-color design works very well. Very refreshing when one remembers all those tourism pamphlet-type images from Santorini... The mat does not bother me, so it must be fine.
Best wishes,
Hakan

gypsygirl58 (1329) 2007-01-21 20:39

Hi Bulent,
I love all the different shades of blue contasting really well with the white of the church. Great composition. TFS
Cheers Tina :-)

jmcl (14145) 2007-01-21 22:59

Hi Bulent,

Just stunning blues .. your analogy to the flag is so perfect .. and this is just wonderfully executed.

I do think the frame is a little large .. mostly because I want my 800 pixels worth of this blue ...

wonderful contrast as the image rises as well.

take care,

John

arnabchat (7052) 2007-01-22 0:19

picture perfect. just wait for a travel agency to send you an email asking for this shot. :D
too good for a postcard.
Greetings,
Arnab

eshirey (325) 2007-01-22 4:33

Beautiful color and depth. Nice work!

isabela_sor (42455) 2007-01-22 7:38

Deep blue...my favorite colour!!!!Tesekkur!!!Excellent framing and POV!I just adore this pic
A nice week
Isabela

Yar (795) 2007-01-22 12:53

Hello,
another appealing work from you )))
the photo really reminds the Greek flag!
very well chosen POV and wonderful tones
TFS!

JCG (25745) 2007-01-22 13:53

Hi Bulent,

I like very much the format of the photograph which gives more intensity to this fantastic harmony of the colors. A perfect management of the light gives much impact to contrast, it is really very pleasant to look at. Thank you for the link on your Internet site which enabled me to appreciate your talents of artist, cheer and thank you.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

chrisnet (20376) 2007-01-22 14:03

Hello Bulent,
Nice symphony in blue and white, I like this framing and the format of the image, a very good photography, congratulations!
Regards
Christian

cunejo200 (7237) 2007-01-22 14:04

A classic composition of Oia's church. The colors are so true of Greek tradition, other tech details are topnotch. Excellent work. Danilo

thea0211 (1355) 2007-01-22 16:52

great capture of a spectacular view, bulent!
i've been on a short cruise between a few little greek islands a few years ago and was lucky enough to see this white and blue color combination - perfect, in my eyes!
thanks for sharing,
dora

i believe a mat is really a question of personal preference ... as for your question - i don't think this one makes the image artificially small

SelenE (1272) 2007-01-22 17:38

Hello Bulent,
I love Santorini a lot,it is a heaven for photography. The harmony and the contrast between the colors are marvellous. I liked your POV and your composition. Well done.
Selamlar & sevgiler
Selen

alvaraalto (5303) 2007-01-22 18:30

Hi Bulent,
Beautiful association of the Greek flag and the strong colours of this picture. The steel blue is really Greek. You can compare it with the Finnish flag and pictures of Finland, with a much softer blue in flag and landscape.
Groet Rob

stego (22448) 2007-01-22 19:00

Hello Bulent,
The title is much apropriate. The photo isn't beautiful only because of the colors, its "geometry/graphicality" also great and it would result very well in B&W too.
Very intersting note, as usual.
TFS, Regards, José.

sanalytis (1634) 2007-01-23 9:15

Hi Bulant,

TFS this wonderful classic image from Santorini. The composition is very strong as well as the geometrical lines.
I love the different tones of blues captured in this photo also.

Spiros

gemlik (969) 2007-01-23 9:21

Dear Atalay
Wow,fanstastic colors with good constrast
conrgatulations.
Best regards
Bulent

Henryk_Bilor (20371) 2007-01-23 12:59

Hi Bulent
Lovely colours. Good contrast between them. Interesting composition.
Regards

dokadak (11492) 2007-01-23 14:24

Slm Bulent Bey,

Mukemmel bir kompozisyon, kadraj ve renkler harika... ellerine saglik... saygilar, kackarlardan selamlar...

Hasan

jhm (83298) 2007-01-24 6:48

Hello Bulent,

You title represently your picture very well, indeed the blue colour tintes against the white of the buildings gives a nice contrast, nice vertical frame too! Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John.

Polonaise (5638) 2007-01-24 8:49

It wouldn't be possible to make it like THAT without solid graphical background....

BULENT !!!!

There you go, my friends.
Where we, the commoners, see the gegraphical place on the map of the world, prof. Atalay sees a graphical form of shapes in blue and pristine white.
And (like if that was not enough ?), he spiced his work with an excellent note...
Professor A...Stop please, fooling around with our brains (well, at least with mine, the limited one)
(:-)))
All the best.
Keep movin' Bulent. Don't stop there...

george

john_c (24635) 2007-01-24 10:51

Hi Bulent,
A very effective shot of this exotic spot, resonating with the tones of a fine painting. The simple but effective colour combination is matched by the amazing POV and well chosen panorama format. I like the tight cropping here as well. As usual, a most informative note. Very fine work, Bulent...later.
John

Emiel_Skyfreak (2976) 2007-01-24 14:46

The classic. The dome. White and Blue.
Well seen and captured, excellent quality, good contrast and nice panoramic crop. Fine presentation with this golden lines in the border, must say I like it!
Well done!

a_i_ren (1315) 2007-01-24 17:14

Beautiful image, Bulent, this blue is phenomenal! I`ll bet the choice of the flag`s colors was pretty evident for our Greek friends :-)Excellent graphism and very interesting POV. My compliments!
Inna

anducina (8131) 2007-01-25 13:46

Superb compo and colours, excellent framing. Beautiful combination of white and blue. Very nice.

TFS,

Andreea

bostankorkulugu (33976) 2007-01-25 15:21

harika bir ışıkta yakalamışsınız kubbeyi... santorinide çok güzel anılarım var... hepsi canlandı gözümde sayenizde...

TeresaT (10733) 2007-01-25 16:32

Hello Bulent,
Wonderful compostion.
It's amazing how the blue of the dome matches on perfection with the blue of the sea.
And the white of the walls really contrasts here.
Beautiful light too.
regards
Teresa

sabanuluca (5170) 2007-01-25 18:07

Bülent bey merhaba, elinize sağlık. çok güzel olmuş.
sevgi ve saygılarımla
şaban

berek (29019) 2007-01-27 4:41

Merhaba ,
Yunan adalarından mimari ile mavi denizin süper bir karışımı. resmin kadrajı ve renk uyumu tam anlamıyla mükemmel. ellerinize sağlık.
istanbuldan selamlar
burak
****

sothy81 (8540) 2007-01-28 0:41

Hi Bulent, I have not been visiting your gallery for a while. Very busy with school this semester. Have not been active for a while too. Here is an excellent one from your shots. Great perspective with great colors. Very beautful. Sothy

balatrek (7419) 2007-01-28 17:16

Hi Bulent,

A good composition and an excellent combination of the colours white and blue, the perspective from a high point of view creates a good depth in the scene, the white colour of the building estan slightly sobreexposed, anyway a beautiful work. Thanks to share.

Regards
José

boonie (777) 2007-01-29 0:20

Bulent
The mat is a thing of taste - if you like it that is all that counts.
What a stunning contrast in color - the greek colors are there - well done as usual.

Dan

rigoletto (26774) 2007-01-29 3:42

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
Bakış açınız, netlik ve renkler çok güzel.
Saygılarımla,
Deniz

pablominto (41340) 2007-01-30 1:23

Hello Bulent,
This one is hard to avoid, hehehe!
Most eye-catching colours and shapes, nicely put together in this effective composition...
Pure beauty!
Greetings,
Pablo -

mrcrow (3989) 2007-01-30 3:43

tense graphic here in your excellent style
the simplicity and form are very meditative
cheers
geof

Bluejeans (33049) 2007-01-31 11:45

Ola Bulent, muito bonita esta tua foto com tons de azul , o branco complementa a foto fazendo um bonito contraste com o azul, parabens!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

tibervince (781) 2007-01-31 21:41

Hello Bullent,
First time I go through your gallery... you have outstanding pictures... I have chosen this one for its appeal, its presence, its strong caracter... you have framed it perfectly... the contrast between the white and the blues is fantastic...
thanks a lot and I ll be back
Vincent

flavian (711) 2007-02-03 22:31

Oh wow--that's SIMPLY GORGEOUS!

xavshot (63125) 2007-02-04 13:51

Bonsoir Bulent
c'est le genre de photo que j'apprécie : le graphisme et la couleur bleue donnent un excellent résultat. La lumière apporte beaucoup de relief. Beau travail
Xavier

salvator (18933) 2007-02-05 5:32

Merhaba Bulent Bey,
Nefis renkler, gokyuzu ile kilisenin ve denizin mavisi ile bembeyaz kilise muhtesem bir fotograf cikartmis. Elinize saglik. Selamlar. Salvator.

cimcim (3706) 2007-02-05 6:27

Sevgili Hocam,
Renk uyumu ve dokulardaki yumuşaklık takdir edilmeyecek gibi değil. Bakış açınız süper!Hocam sanırım siz her konuda yeteneklisiniz. Ne yapsanız güzel oluyor.
Paylaşımlarını ziçin çok teşekkürler.
Sevgiler saygılar
Ayçin.

captainsgirl (3448) 2007-02-06 9:19

wow great job! that is bright white!! love the view too! TFS
Donna:o)

thanks for your comments on my photo "just loving our world" :o)

ahmetgedikli (22094) 2007-02-06 19:49

Merhaba Hocam,
Yüzlük sayılar benden. Mavinin rengin çekiciliği ve beyazla oluşturduğu kontrast nefis...
Elinize sağlık, selamlar.
Ahmet

saylan-cb (12726) 2007-02-07 5:46

Dünden beri gözüme takılan bir fotoğraf.Mavinin eşsiz güzelliği içinde varolan kilise muhteşem bir resim.Bu adayı görmek gerektiğini düşünüyorum.
Saygılar/Selamlar
şaylan

fkokol (1614) 2007-02-09 19:01

Mavi beyaz birlikte cok guzel bir uyum yaratmis. Bu cok bilinen manzarayi en guzel anlarindan birinde, en guzel sekilde yakalamassiniz. Einize saglik,

Figen

arturo (31) 2007-02-10 7:38

Hi Bulent,

an almost "classic" view from Santorini...perfectly composed with just two colours but still very attractive...the views are breathtaking there exactly like on your photograph...it brings back some good memories...i particulary enjoyed the almost black, volcanic sand on some of the beaches during my visit there...an interesting note...although you could have mentioned that it is believed the erruption on Thera wiped out the Minoan civilization of Crete all together...cheers, arturo

drago (4826) 2007-02-16 4:46

Bulent hi and congratulations for this post,a great advertise of my homeland!!The blue and white colours of the islands are combined perfect in your composition.TFS
Regards
Panagiotis

realimis (820) 2007-02-25 13:20

Hello Bullent,
i can recognise these colours...and i can say that i fell in love with the way you saw the whole setting !Perfect balance, perfect point of view, slim frame, great lighting...Everything works so well here...And of course your focuw to blue and white is just great!
Nice title and note!
Many regards
Rene

colinb (1536) 2007-02-27 20:03

Wow, amazing shot! Added to my favorites. Thanks for sharing.

danos (33240) 2007-03-02 1:47

Hi Bulent,
the impressive composition in combination with immense light blue it make your photograph great.Great perspective with great colors.The different tones of blue contasting really well with the white of the church.The photo really reminds the Greek flag!Well done.
Regards,Danos

mumu3f (289) 2007-03-07 5:44

This photograph makes me live one sunny moment and gives me a taste of summer . Such an amount of clearness of before plan which the beauty of the background are perfect. Thank you
Murielle

Tibo (1842) 2007-03-10 23:48

Hey Bulent. I went through your wonderful gallery. This picture is better than most of those seen in Travel agent magazine. An amzing blue composition, Cheers, Tibo

HIRAKZ (168) 2007-03-12 13:11

Hello Prof,

This is a gem of a production. Perfect harmony between nature and man's genius in architecture. I love the way you have drawn the photographer's note, making sense of it all, and giving me an occasion to celebrate photography.

Thanks for sharing.
Warm regards,
HIRAK

Aliza (592) 2007-03-16 14:46

Merhabalar,
Mükemmel bir kompozisyon ve muhtesem mavi renk!
Her seyiyle olaganüstü bir fotograf, tebrikler!
Ellerinize saglik...
Aliza.

bigboroboy (1009) 2007-03-18 10:03

It is very apparent that this shot has been altered in Photoshop but you have managed to create a very subtle effect nonetheless. The colours are stunning and work really well together with this bold composition. Excellent work like most of the images in your gallery.

PHIL

manatee (4297) 2007-03-18 19:43

Merhaba Bulent:
This is an exelent picture from you, the deep blue color of this dome mixt it perfectly with the deep blue sea, and contrast perfctly with the withe of the house, the cross in the top of the duomo, and the frame you made, the picture is so clear and the ligth is perfect.

Congratulatiosn i like your pciture and you profesion too, I would like to be a professon some day.

Have a nice day
Elias

MariosCYP (770) 2007-03-19 14:01

Thanks for you nice critics Bulent. I love this picture of yours. The mediterranean colors and the lovely contrasts. Thanks fro sharing,

Regards from Cyprus,

Marios

Guluzar (379) 2007-03-20 16:47 [Comment]

Show Comment

baronb (245) 2007-03-26 0:21

This shot is so beautiful in its simplicity and emparts a strong pleasantness. Well done.

Cheers,

Baron

jackpkn (810) 2007-04-03 7:39

Very nice integration between the ceiling and the water: a very intense, but relaxing, blue. Loved your work here!

morswinek (428) 2007-04-18 6:19

Eeeee, it really looks unreal.
Thanks God there are places like that.
Nothing to add.
Mor.

migsy (349) 2007-04-26 16:23

I love this overexposed shot - it is almost blinding - as you would expect midday to be in the place depicted.

Excellent - thanks for sharing.

happypoppeye (4064) 2007-04-26 22:50

A classic done well. Nice blue tones and I actually really like the frame. I would like to see it a bit sharper but still really good.

dumanica (5054) 2007-04-29 11:01

Bülent Bey merhaba.
Mavinin büyüsüne kapıldım gittim doğrusu. Oldukça başarılı bir kompozisyon teknik açıdan ise kusursuz. Çalışmalarınızı da inceleme fırsatı buldum gerçekten harika işler çıkartmışsınız. Başarılar dilerim. Selamlar saygılar Duman:)

brevbrev14 (372) 2007-05-01 6:39

Hi BUlent, i can only love your image!
my favorite place in the world!Santorini Island!
great composition and result!
ciao!
Valeria

mineelci (1510) 2007-05-11 3:07

Merhabalar, okadar çok birbirinden güzel fotoğrafınız varki nerden başlasam bilmiyorum.Yola burdan çıkıyorum.Mavi beyaz renkler yaz özlemini iyice artırdı. Ellerinize sağlık.

isil77 (758) 2007-07-20 12:34

Ben de gideceğim için incelerken buldum fotoğrafınızı. Gerçekten bütün samimiyetimle söylüyorum süper süper süper bir fotoğraf. Hem komposizyon olsun, renkler olsun, sadelik, duruluk hakikaten inanılmaz. Biran önce gidesim geldi. Ellerinize sağlık.

ekinokswest (2974) 2007-08-03 17:11

Bulent Hocam

Mavi beyazı çerçeve ile butunleyerek isabetli seçim yapmışsınız . crop yaparak veya kadrajı daraltarak adaları ve engin denizi çok guzel lanse etmişsiniz

meltemi (9746) 2007-10-01 23:59

Hello Bulent,
splendid view of this paradisiac place! Very nice colors, great light, beautiful contrast between the two domes and also between the beautiful blue sky and sea and the extraordinary white chapel. Exceptional.
Warm Regards.
Stella

Hendrika (655) 2007-11-08 0:12

Hi Bulent,
Of course this is one of the pictures you have to have on return - the blue/white and typical Greek. I have been looking at the framing. It is elegant and I also have thought about an alternative. More of the white FG would not really work, so the only option open to you would be cropping at the left to make the picture less small in proportions.
However I have observed in my own way of framing that my idea of what is aestetical changes every few weeks (if you have time maybe you can have a look at my TL account).
All that aside I enjoyed this almost minimalistic picture.
TFS
Els

loves_summer (763) 2009-02-18 18:52

Hi Bulent,
Very informative note! Oia is such a distinct place with it's own style of architecture and vivid history that is evident in the island's rocky cliffs. The characteristic blues and whites also make this place original, and is one of the places that I'd really love to visit. Thanks for sharing this great Agean panorama and beautiful church.