Cross the Old Bridge, a photo from Esfahan, East

Photographer's Note

Khaju Bridge (Persian: پل خواجو pol-e khajoo) is arguably the finest bridge in the province of Isfahan, Iran. It was built by the Persian Safavid king, Shah Abbas II around 1650 C.E., on the foundations of an older bridge. Serving as both a bridge, and a dam (or a weir), it links the Khaju quarter on the north bank with the Zoroastrian quarter across the Zayandeh Rud ( the river). Although architecturally functioning as a bridge and a weir, it also served a primary function as a building and a place for public meetings. This structure originally was ornated with artistic tile works and paintings serving as a teahouse; In the center of the structure, a pavilion exists inside of which Shah Abbas would have once sat, admiring the views.
This bridge highlights one of the finest examples of Persian architecture at the height of Safavid cultural influence in Iran. In words of Upham Pope and Jean Chardin, Khaju bridge is "the culminating monument of Persian bridge architecture and one of the most interesting bridges extant...where the whole has rhythm and dignity and combines in the happiest consistency, utility, beauty, and recreation."

Khaju Bridge has 23 arches and is 105 metres long and 14 metres wide. The pass way of the bridge is 7.5 meters wide, made of bricks and stones with 21 larger and 26 smaller inlet and outlet channels.

Khaju is one of the bridges that regulate the water flow in the river because there are sluice gates under the archways over the river. When the sluice gates are closed, the water level behind the bridge is raised to facilitate the irrigation of the many gardens along the river upstream of this bridge.

On the upper level of the bridge, the main central aisle was utilized by horses and carts and the vaulted paths on either side by pedestrians. Octagonal pavilions in the center of the bridge on both the down and the upstream sides provide vantage points for the remarkable views. The lower level of the bridge may be accessed by pedestrians and remains a popular shady place for relaxing.

You can see another view of the bridge in the WS.

Info from Wikipedia

abmdsudi, PaulVDV, geoant68, saxo042, Longroute, adramad, rodgerg, nobuikehonda, shevchenko, subhendu_bagchi, Angshu, nikkitta, danos, s_lush has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

abmdsudi (95869) 2011-09-04 11:17

Salam Atousa
Impressive composition, you could make a story out of excellent composition and great control of highlights and shadows. A picture with dynamism, love your view point and how the arch invites the eye to wander in to the far background whilst the fig hold the focus there with the eye following the natural diagonal. Strong on intricate detail, the stonework is fascinating with lots of charm, its a lovely spot for architectural picture. An inspiring and functional structure. Lighting is good, delicious colors and the overall effect is very pleasing to the eye. Brilliant capture, you vision is well conveyed. A place of historal value. Congrats.
P/S; I feel a bit disturbed by the 'ghost' at the bottom LH corner.
Salam

Silvio1953 (222779) 2011-09-04 12:40

Ciao Atousa, splendid perspective on wonderful monument, lovely composition with lonely person, excellent clarity, great light and colors, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

PaulVDV (63440) 2011-09-04 13:47

Salam Atousa,
Beautiful view of the architectural decorations on the bridge and at the same time through that window a great view of the river.
Best regards, Paul

geoant68 (331) 2011-09-04 23:13

Hi Atousa,
excellent presentation of this part of the bridge with the opening on the right,to make the scene even more attractive.The black silhouette contrast perfect as outlined against the side of the bridge.

Peter

siolaw (38294) 2011-09-04 23:59

Salam Atousa,
A nice view and angle on the famous bridge, with lady adding movement. Light, colours and sharpness are impeccable.
One little thing is the shadow in the corner... it could maybe be avoided by crop... or clone as I did in WS.
Hope you don't mind, really! I don't do a WS if I don't like the picture!
Friendly regards
Laurent

[workshop] [compare] +

batalay (41261) 2011-09-05 5:01

Selam Atousa,

The vantage point you'v chosen is very effective in showing five walled-up arches, with the monotony broken by one open arch; more so, the open arch reveals the splendid view of the river and sky on the other side. This is a beautiful photograph, complemented by the highly informative note. Together they comprise a very good package for Trekearth. I just critique a photo for Sabermonajati, "taghavi house". In the critique I had a question for him, about the inscription? Would you take a look also and answer the question, and also is that the same "Taghavi" as in your name?

Warm regards, Atousa,

Bulent

saxo042 (38078) 2011-09-05 5:09

Hi Atousa,
A picture with several dimensions. We can enjoy a glimpse of the river through the opening in the wall, the wall itself offers some interesting details. The inclusion of a person adds further interest. Maybe you should have cropped away shadow to the left, but this is just a minor niggle.
Kind regards
Gunnar

Longroute (19600) 2011-09-05 8:02

A fine and original composition. The series of arches plus the walking lady provide dynamism while the sight of the river through the first arch reveals another prospective and makes it deeper, breaking the pattern of the other arches. Lovely colours and textures too.
A good idea and a fine capture.

Regards,
Donato

adramad (73410) 2011-09-05 11:04

Hello Atousa.
Wonderful image with this great diagonal of the bridge wall, mosaic decorations such ideals, great POV with the open arc that shows the river and its banks.
Superb sharpness, brightness and beautiful colors.
Best regards. Superb pictures of the WS.
Luis.

emka (158680) 2011-09-05 23:52

Hi Atousa,

very nice composition. I like the line of thiese typical persian arches and a cview in one of them is very beautiful. The addition of the person going makes the scene vivid. Maybe i would do something with the black corner - cut or clone.

Warm regards

Malgo

rodgerg (55767) 2011-09-06 1:43

Hello Atousa,

Image very well composed with the alignement of arcade which give rythm, dynamism and too prospect effect to the view. The first arcade on the right give a very nice framing and too depht with the prospect open along the river. The passing people give an interesting element of life.
Best regards,
Roger

nobuikehonda (3848) 2011-09-06 4:33

Salam Atousa,

I like the rhythm created by the repetitive pointed arches. A person passing in front of third arch creates another rhythm in movement. A series of big rhythm and small rhythm, they are very well conceived. The opening of the fist arch is giving us a great view of the river and a blue sky. Fine intricate decor on the brick work is captivating. It is a very successful image of this old bridge, TFS Atousa.

With my very best regards,
Have a great week ahead,
Nobu.

Waylim (25436) 2011-09-06 17:54

Salam Atousa,

An excellent shot, really good details and well managed light. I love all the beautiful design on the bridge, full of Arabic charm and colors. Like those we see in nice hotels and riads. Love the view through the opening of the bridge. Good depth and good perspective.

Way

shevchenko (20560) 2011-09-07 1:39

Hi Atousa,
Clear to show wall with arches that built with bricks, beautiful patterns, it is artistic, nice WS to show the architecture beside the water, tidy shot, distinct image, well done.
Ally

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2011-09-07 21:02

namaste Atousa,
beautiful architecture and you have presented it superbly with the person at middle. Like the arched window through which a nice scenic beauty can be seen. Great light and depth. A superb one. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

pajaran (116947) 2011-09-08 1:20

Pozdrav.
Dobar tekst ...
Vrlo interesantan zid i pogled na reku, obalu i bele oblake, lepa fotografija.
Dobar snimak i kompozicija, lepe boje.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Google.

Hello.
Good article ...
An interesting look at the wall and the river shore and the white clouds, beautiful photos.
Good shot and composition, beautiful colors.
All the best.
Paja.

Angshu (56760) 2011-09-08 3:05

Salam Atousa
Impressive composition. The diagonal of the bridge makes a good depth & the light is good with good contrast. I love the designs of the mosaic on the bridge...they are amazing! Ish you could show a detailed picture of the same later
Best Regards
Angshu

danos (110407) 2011-09-09 0:27

Hello Atousa,
nice the view of the passing man's silhouette as outlined against the wall.I like the right gap as creative an interesting optical effect in the scene.

Regards,danos

UlfE (14641) 2011-09-11 12:15

Hi Atousa,

Wonderful and really well-composed photo. I like your postioning of the gate to the water, but most of all I enjoy the repeated forms especially the dark shadows and the person walking on the bridge with bended back have the same bend as the shadows. Brillant colors and excellent sharpness. TFS and have nice evening!

Kind regards,

Ulf

Giorgio (11279) 2011-09-16 23:21

- Impressive bridge Atpousa! beautiful old architecture, this PoV with river in foreground in verdant ambience is excellent, good technical quality, well done!
Greetings.
giorgio

s_lush (16602) 2011-09-20 6:28

Salam Atousa,
This multifunctional structure is designed and decorated very richly and aesthetically indeed. Your composition with the arch, through which the river is seen, is highly interesting and well balanced. Very good job!
Best regards,
Sergiy

fabianoleite (13575) 2011-10-11 18:24

Beautiful architecture, I like the style, the shapes are fantastic. Good work, congratulations!

adores (46979) 2011-11-12 7:41

Hi Atousa!
This is really Iranian - the architecture, the woman passing. A really famous city that I'd like to visit.I like this composition a lot, with the woman passing, the bridge and the gate, letting us see what's on the other side. Great colours and sharpness. I like Laurent's idea also!