Old Towers / New Towers, a photo from Istanbul, Marmara

Photographer's Note

Taken 3 days ago during a photo session with a TE friend, Jerzy Bucki (bantonbuju).

The place i stood was the top of Yedikule Dungeons (Fortress of Seven Towers), located at the edge of city walls near the Sea of Marmara. The long lens is leaning towards the old town to the east, the sunlit structure is Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque) with its distinctive 6 minarets. I've never seen Blue Mosque from this vantage point on TE, so i decided to share.

The backing hills with many TV towers are Зamlıca Hills on the Asian Side, so there is again a use of compressed perspective. The actual distance of Зamlıca to Sultanahmet is about 10 kilometers.

I like the dualism here: both old towers (minarets) and new towers are used for communicating, in a sense :)

macjake, ikeharel, bona, pajaran, emka, No_One, Periko, krzychu30, PaulVDV, SnapRJW, CLODO, COSTANTINO, Angshu, danos, ChrisJ, TRB, adores, tzourob, daddo, fritzi007, tatadalou, josepmarin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

yquem46 (38752) 2014-01-25 6:11

Merhaba Deniz
Super !
Temporal vs Mystic, same shapes
Light vs darkness
Many symbolic aspects here, according to one's own pov
A great shot
habe a nice WE, best regards
patrick

Kamilutka (8107) 2014-01-25 6:13

Hello Deniz,
it looks as the sun decided to shine only at the holy building in this moment - the mosque looks outstanding in this light and the dark surroundings. The quantity of amazing details in this picture is very big and they work together so well only thanks to very well planned composition. Well done!
Thanks for sharing
Kamila

Romano46 (18472) 2014-01-25 6:23

Ciao Deniz
la foto и giа bella di suo e con una accorta postproduzione sei riuscito a farla diventare magica.
Complimenti anche per la nitidezza, considerata la notevole distanza dalla quale l'hai scattata.
Eccellente la composizione.
Complimenti
Ciao e buon fine settimana
Romano

chrislo (4099) 2014-01-25 7:15

Merhaba Deniz,
What a great timing and opportunity ! The mosque seems to be bathing in a heavenly light. I like how the modern BG pylons echoe the age-old minarets. The lighting is just right despite the dark surrounding, and the picture is sharp and highly detailed. Very well done.
Have a nice weekend.
Christian

bona (15057) 2014-01-25 7:39

Olб Deniz,

how did you got so incredable lighht only on the temple? amazing this effect. I like the power energy towers in the background too.

Well done.
Andre

pajaran (115861) 2014-01-25 7:52

Dobar dan, popodne.
Interesantan i jedinstven trenutak ...
Lep pogled na na dzamiju i trenutak ...
Dobar trenutak snimka i kontrast, lepo pokazan deo grada i dzamija, lepe boje.
Dobar rad, moje cestitke na ulovljenom trenutku.
Lepo popodne i sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

Good afternoon, this afternoon.
An interesting and unique moment ...
Nice view of the mosque, and a moment ...
Good time recording and contrast nicely shown part of the city and a mosque, beautiful colors.
Good work, my congratulations to the caught moment.
Nice afternoon and all the best for the weekend, good luck.
Paja.

emka (158128) 2014-01-25 7:58

Hi,
You always have such an incredible light. How it is possible that only the Blue Mosque is lit and everything else is dark? You must had a long lens, I didn't see this view from Yedikule. Was it the same dungeon? Yes, the new towers correspond to old ones. Clever composition. Great that you finally went with your camera and big lenses.
Magic photo and I know why - you could now sing Le veau d'or est toujours debout! without any characterization :).
Freezing

MAlgo

holmertz (102672) 2014-01-25 8:22

Hello Deniz,
You managed another amazing photo from a rarely seen POV showing us two aspects of Istanbul with a wonderful symbolism. Having the light fall so perfectly on the mosque seems almost like a miracle :-).
Kind regards,
Gert

Wanda1 (15142) 2014-01-25 8:52

Hi Deniz,
Indeed a good and different POV to show the Blue Mosque as it nestles between the dense buildings of the surrounding city. There seems to be a special spotlight of sunlight just made to illuminate it. I like the interesting juxtaposition between the minarets of the mosque and the modern communication towers on the hill.
Regards
Wanda

No_One (4) 2014-01-25 9:01

Hi Deniz,
Your posts recently of Istanbul should be sponsored by the Turkish tourist board. I have seen many ads inviting me to Turkey to swim in warm blue sea, sample beautiful fine food and see golden beaches but none of them have come anywhere near as close to these posts in making me want to pack my bags and head to the airport! Such a stunning city, and a city of amazing contrasts too. The light on the mosque looks incredible, like the heavens are shining down on it.

I love this compressed perspective too, it gives a fascinating result in the shots you have used it in.
Thanks as always
Noel

adidas5nb (5743) 2014-01-25 10:00

love the frame and the tower relevance in the shot.great pov and light here.
regards
dwaipayan

Ninello52 (7576) 2014-01-25 12:32

Ciao Deniz!
Bellissima!!
Saluti, Nino.

carlo62 (81265) 2014-01-25 13:59

Ciao Deniz
eccellente scatto, mi piace il contrasto tra le diverse torri, quelle moderne sono molte di piщ, ma la bellezza di quelle antiche non и paragonabile.
Hai fatto molto bene a condividere la foto, era un peccato non poterla vedere.
Saluti
Carlo

kwekwekan (1078) 2014-01-25 18:34

Hello Deniz,
Great dualism as you mention between the old and new towers, but also between light and shadow. Your timing is perfect with a thin band of sunshine highlighting the Blue Mosque, giving it a well defined and stately presence against a busy cityscape.
Have a great weekend,
Caleb

Periko (9107) 2014-01-25 21:21

Hi Deniz
Interesting lighting over the mosque, as well as the contrast between old and new towers.

TFS
Pedro

krzychu30 (15512) 2014-01-26 2:47

Hi Deniz,
the light makes the scene!Just love the way the sun illuminates only the famous Mosque and leaves everything else hidden in shadow.And I like your juxtaposition of th e Minarets with TV towers far in the distance.Quite contradictory,but excellent combination.
Canґt wait to see Istanbul on my own in March.

Wish You a nice sunday
Krzysztof

PaulVDV (62886) 2014-01-26 6:00

Hello Deniz,
You certainly learn to know us interesting viewpoints in Istanbul. And different from the classical ones.
Another view of your home town on which a part of the city is well lit and other parts find themselves in the dark.
The light on the Sultanahmet Mosque and its minarets is splendid.
I would have hesitated at the sight of the many towers on the hill. But I like your point of view of communication, on the old and on the new way.
Best regards, Paul

ktanska (44758) 2014-01-26 6:43

Hi Deniz,
Just a superb shot, where that light on mosque gives great results. Use of tele brings those minarets and background antennas well together creating a fun connection. I've never seen Istanbul like this before.
Kari

SnapRJW (31631) 2014-01-26 6:54

Hi Deniz - You've managed to find that superb light again! I love the way it shines brilliantly on the mosque making it the main element of the shot while the rest of the details are quite low key and very much the supporting act. The composition is fascinating too with the comparison of vertical towers which represent two very different aspects of life. Nice one! Warm regards rosemary

willperrett (14215) 2014-01-26 10:04

Hello Deniz
Of course it's the stunning light, together with your choice of exposing for the highlights, that has created the brooding atmosphere of this excellent work. It's the far extreme from tourist brochure shots, and all the better for it. Good work.
Regards
Will

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2014-01-26 23:16

bir an iзin зamlıca'ya dikilen camiiyi seзimlere yetiştirdiler zannettim, tццbe tцbe...

macjake (98454) 2014-01-27 0:47

Hi Deniz
first of all, thanks for the kind words on my latest post of the Cuban Cigar dude :)

this is great too, love these views. you achieved a lot of detail on the Blue Mosque, especially in the small windows. From this far distance away thats pretty damn good!

love seeing the rustic buildings on the left side of the frame too. wicked light and viewpoint! gotta see this in person :)

cheers
craig

CLODO (45116) 2014-01-27 1:31

hiya Deniz

phptographing = writting with the light: here is a good example of the decisive moment when the sun ray illuminates only the mosque, making it bursting out of the shadowy city.
Generally, the electric poles should be avoided on a picture, here they answer the minarets towers.
hats off
CLODO

COSTANTINO (116452) 2014-01-27 4:08

Hello
great idea to present this clever contrast
I liked the title old towers new towers
it is a world that changes and the dark
atmosphere adds mystery
the hidden lights create the suitable
environment
I could say that the shot is nice
despite the dark surrondings
regards
have a nice evening
Costantino

Waylim (25436) 2014-01-27 17:10

Hello Deniz,

Beautiful photo with a wide POV of the whole area, teh light is very special that work fantastic for this shot to bring much attention to the famous mosque. the two different types of towers contrast each other. Both are important in different way. Very cool shot with such unique light and excellent quality throughout.

W

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2014-01-28 1:17

yes, those towers are well presented here. Nice presentation of the blue mosque. And yes, with a different POV. Great sharp image quality which stands well with such darker backdrop. A very good one Deniz. Thanks for sharing.
S

serp2000 (47063) 2014-01-28 5:39

Hi, Deniz,
Superb art work! I take off my hat, Deniz. Great timing shot, I like your choice of the point of view, good comparison of the masts and the antennas on the background. Very very interesting presentation of Istanbul.
Serghei

archimatica (20648) 2014-01-28 10:22

Hi, Deniz.
Amazing view of Istanbul; the light of the sun, in the middle of the picture, is fantastic.
Renzo

peterpap (2863) 2014-01-30 7:23

Hey Deniz, that is a great picture, I really like the light... It is definitely a place I will visit too

mkamionka (74375) 2014-02-03 14:04

Hi Deniz,
fantastic light with the Blue Mosque appearing as if in a spotlight. Its minaret are so well lit with details clearly visible while the rest is hidden in a deep shade. The effect with the new towers in the back is interesting indeed, I have never seen a photo from this POV before.
Excellent work,
M

Angshu (56760) 2014-02-13 1:29

Hi Deniz
Its the magic light again! Wow...the spotlight effect is something which you have used well in the series of pictures. Something definitely unique about the POV...so Hagia Sofia would be to the left...if I am not wrong?
Impressive...
Why the lull in posting?
Best,
Angshu

danos (110407) 2014-02-15 7:22

Hi Deniz,
nice the view of this section of the capital with the new and old towers to coexist perfect in the area.I like the light on the foreground as brings out the details of the scene.Well done.

Regards,Danos

batalay (41261) 2014-02-15 14:27

Merhaba Deniz,

This is an exquisite photo, with spectacular depth-of-field, compressing the 10 km distance between the Sultanahmet and the Зamlica. Many years ago I remember seeing a National Geographic Magazine photo where a 1000 mm lens was use in the opposite direction. What makes the image genuinely beautiful is the mosque is in the limelight, as if a giant searchlight is aimed on it. Incidentally, it appears that I may be in Istanbul on April 15.

Sevgiler, saygilar.

Bulent

ChrisJ (171822) 2014-02-17 15:46

Hi, Deniz.

Fantastic graphism and a nice juxtaposing of the well lit fg towers and minarets of the impressive Mosque and the more functional shadowed towers of the television transmitter towers in the bg. Good sharpness and a fantastic high pov. Tfs!

TRB (14138) 2014-02-18 8:09

merhaba,
Цn planın etkisi daha gьzel..:)
Netliği, renkleri ve цzellikle ışık kullanımı ile mьkemmel. Elinize sağlık, selamlar

Tьlay

adores (46979) 2014-02-19 15:00

Hi Deniz!
This is a really good shot! You got a magical moment with the sunlight on the mosque - it stands out wonderfully while the rest is in the shade. And the old and the new towers make such an interesting contrast.

ACL1978 (7511) 2014-02-19 21:29

Hello Deniz - I've had a long absence from TE, but I'm poking my head in to see how everyone is - glad I saw this great shot. Hard to find a unique take on a building as photographed as the Blue Mosque, but you've done it, with a dark, contrasty juxtaposition between its spires and the radio towers on the hill. A great look at Istanbul old and new here, exactly as you intended, with a nice concept of communication tying them together as well. Thanks, and I hope you've been well!

Andrew

tzourob (195) 2014-02-19 21:44 [Comment]

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elenimavrandoni (0) 2014-02-24 18:22

a fabulous light and a spectacular composition!!
a city that never ceases to amaze me and every time I visit is more beautiful!!
thanks for sharing!!
Eleni

GyurMaster (24818) 2014-03-01 12:22

Dear Deniz,

Patrick has told everything before me, my only task is to congratulate for you! It is one of the best play with lights I have seen.

Best Regards,
Gyцrgy

daddo (28748) 2014-03-05 2:48

Hi deniz. Superb shot and how fortunate were you to have the rays of the sun breaking through and illuminating the wonder of wonders.I like your last comment in the note- a nice observation. Best wishes. Klaudio.

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4814) 2014-03-23 18:29

Wow. Superb and surreal lighting! Great emphasis on the Blue Mosque, seriously. It's like a diorama of Istanbul, then someone used a selective flash to highlight and pop it out of the scene. Excellent, just excellent! Wonderfully captured!!

Best regards,
Matt

P.S.
Thanks for sharing this one. I'll definitely go here and ask for some tips as I'll be going to Turkey June this year. It would be nice if we could do a TE meeting as well. Keep in touch.

fritzi007 (14698) 2014-04-25 15:12

Hi Deniz,
very nice night photo, with very good information, just great, congratulate you sincerely!
Many greetings
Wolfgang

janraiski (558) 2014-04-29 9:50

Hello Deniz,

interesting light and long focus gave a great result. Very mystical.

Jan

tatadalou (7459) 2014-05-03 4:28

Hi Deniz,
Amazing comparison old vs new ! The parallel between both constructions is as an evidence. The light on the mosque is really eye-cactching. that's a perfect timing. A chance you were here while nature offered this beauty.
Regards,
Delphine

josepmarin (59385) 2014-05-04 8:51

Merhaba Deniz,
yes, there is a fantastic graphical contrast between the wonderful minarets of the Blue Mosque and the communication towers on the hill in background, in an image with a good compressed perspective.
I like the beauty of the architecture of the mosque, which stands out in the middle of the houses of the city, and how some sun rays illuminate this area, while the hills are under a cloudy sky.
I love Istanbul, and with nice photos as this one, I have a few beautiful memories.
Thanks for it.
Best regards,
Josep