Library of Celsus, a photo from Izmir, Aegean

Photographer's Note

In the land that is now Turkey, a wide marble road slopes down to one of the largest libraries of the ancient world. Between 12,000 and 15,000 scrolls were housed in the grand Library of Celsus in the Roman city, Ephesus.

Designed by the Roman architect Vitruoya, the library was built in memory of Celsus Polemeanus, who was a Roman senator, General Governor of the Province of Asia, and a great lover of books. Celsus' son, Julius Aquila, began the construction in 110 AD. The library was completed by Julius Aquila's successors in 135 AD.

Celsus was buried beneath the ground floor in a lead container inside a marble tomb. A corridor behind the north wall leads to the vault. The Library of Celsus was remarkable not only for its size and its beauty, but also for its clever and efficient design.

Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2 Windows
Exposure Time: 1/100
F-Stop: f/9.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 100
Focal Length: 10/1 mm

Vanni, bostankorkulugu, isabib, mbasil, carper, daddo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Malyshev (2522) 2006-10-03 15:40

Wow! Very nice historical shot!Nice composition and colours! The note very interesting too! Regards! Yuri.

Vanni (172) 2006-10-03 15:48

Very pictureaque. the details in the walls are incredibly preserved. i also agree with the previous TE member colours perfectly blend with the scene highlighting the glory of the library. It should have been a real beauty at the time of its construction.

king (4242) 2006-10-03 16:08

Hello Stephen
Well composed, good captured picture is this with very good over-all sharpness and pretty natural colours.
Good job.
Huub de K.

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2006-10-03 17:20

really a good picture. loved the parellel lines of the cypress trees and the columns.
congrats,
korkut

isabib (1953) 2006-10-03 18:09

Hi Stephen,

Nice clean details from foreground to the background.

TFS,
Gani

jmdias (115156) 2006-10-03 19:56

stephen

beautiful image, the façade is well shown, the nature around adds life and the carvings in the foreground add more interest.

jorge

mbasil (2129) 2006-10-03 21:11

Nice job with the composition and the exposure (the sky to the dark tunnel). I am amazed at the level of detail, too. And how did you avoid barrel distortion here? All in all, a very nice pice of history here, thanks for bringing it to us!
Mike
P.S. Welcome back!

Cormac (26565) 2006-10-03 21:41

Lucky guy! You got to visit Ephesus and see the ruins. Nice shot, using the near/far dynamic to give this some depth as well as show the details of the carving. Well done!

sayat (2949) 2006-10-04 5:43

A very nice point of view, beautiful composition. I like the way f/9.0 wirked in the picture.
Best regards,
Sayat

carper (96) 2006-10-04 9:25

fantastic place Stephen,
nice to see another one of yours Stephen, a very good point of view, good strong details, good lines and a fine perspective, a very good composition and a good job.
gr. jaap

emilbo (22616) 2006-10-04 21:47

Allô stephen!
Ces ruines sont magnifiques et j'aimerais être là pour les admirer.
Belle prise de vue et bon commentaire.
Félicitations!...
Emilius

daddo (28748) 2007-01-16 0:47

Hi Stephen. From someone who was there and tried to capture the magic of the place, I must compliment you on this fine composition and excellent exposure.The PoV and details are admirable. Well done. Regards. Klaudio.