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  • Many of the 336 columns supporting the terrain above the Basilica Cistern were recycled from churches and other buildings across the Byzantine Empire. This carved head of Medusa being used to raise one of the support columns is the most famous example.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-568.tif
  • Everything about Aya Sofya was done on a grand scale, including the windows.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-668.tif
  • Sunlight pours through the windows of the South Gallery.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-757.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-165.tif
  • Sunlight pours through the windows of the South Gallery.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-765.tif
  • It's not just the size of Aya Sofya that is stunning, it's also the meticulous attention the the smallest of details.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-671.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-470.tif
  • The whirling dance, known as "Sema" in Turkish, is actually a deeply spiritual ritual for the Mevlevi Order of Sufism and has even been declared a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-171.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-155.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-799.tif
  • One of the major thoroughfares of the market lined with textiles. I dialed in a two second exposure to add motion blur and give the market some of the "buzz".
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-815.tif
  • Walking down this ancient corridor within the Grand Bazaar can feel like running a gauntlet of mongers and touts.i
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-639.tif
  • Unlike in Christianity, where images of Jesus, Mary and the crucifix adorn the interior of every church, images of the prophet, or any humans for that matter, are forbidden. This lends itself to artistic expression and mosques often use intricate geometric patterns, bright colors and/or text from the quran
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-788.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-783.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-774.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-770.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-766.tif
  • The ‘Deesis’ (Final Judgement) mosaic depicts a Pantocrator (omnipotent ruler of the universe) Jesus asking for forgiveness on Judgement Day. He Is holding a bible in his left hand and giving a gesture of blessing with his right. Created in 1261, it was plastered over in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople to the muslim Ottomans, who converted it into a mosque. They were uncovered the first time in the 1840’s only to be plastered over again until their final restoration in 1936.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-747.tif
  • This is the view out of a South facing window in Aya Sofya. The domed buildings in the foreground are the tombs of Aya Sofya and the former Baptistry in the  South courtyard. In the distance we see the Blue Mosque which bookends the other side of Sultanahmet Park.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-695.tif
  • Created in 1261, the Deesis (Final Judgement) Mosaic was plastered over in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople to the muslim Ottomans, who converted it into a mosque. They were uncovered the first time in the 1840’s only to be plastered over again until their final restoration in 1936. In this image I secluded Mary who is accompanying Jesus, along with John The Baptist on his other side.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-737.tif
  • This 12th century mosaic has the Emperor John Comnenus II and Empress Eirene flanking the virgin Mary. The Emperor was known as "John The Good" and his wife was also well thought of due to her charitable works.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-707.tif
  • Built in 537 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Aya Sofya is a marvel of both architecture and engineering.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-703.tif
  • Ancient frescoes adorn Aya Sofya’s massive ceilings.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-687.tif
  • Built in 537 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Aya Sofya is a marvel of both architecture and engineering. It is said to have changed the history of architecture, primarily due to it’s grand dome. It is 32 meters in diameter and 56 meters above the floor. It tops what was the largest church in christianity and even the largest indoor space in the world for over 1,000 years!
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-683.tif
  • High in the apse of the church is this stunning 'Virgin and Christ Child' mosaic.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-648.tif
  • The large, Western entrance to the Blue Mosque is a popular place for snapshots.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-622.tif
  • Built by Emperor Justinian in 532, the Basilica Cistern has 336 columns and is the largest remaining, of what used to be a series of cisterns throughout the city. Not unlike Rome, they were all fed by an innovative, stone aqueduct.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-558.tif
  • Built by Emperor Justinian in 532, the Basilica Cistern has 336 columns and is the largest remaining, of what used to be a series of cisterns throughout the city. Not unlike Rome, they were all fed by an innovative, stone aqueduct.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-545.tif
  • Built by Emperor Justinian in 532, the Basilica Cistern has 336 columns and is the largest remaining, of what used to be a series of cisterns throughout the city. Not unlike Rome, they were all fed by an innovative, stone aqueduct.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-542.tif
  • In order to get this shot, I trickled through side streets looking for a building that would afford me this perspective.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-515.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-483.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-461.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-207.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-194.tif
  • The whirling dance, known as "Sema" in Turkish, is actually a deeply spiritual ritual for the Mevlevi Order of Sufism and has even been declared a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-177.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-87.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-57.tif
  • Walking the narrow side-streets of Istanbul in ‘street photography’ mode, I came across this local, inadvertently blending-in with the wall mural he’s leaning against.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-48.tif
  • First completed in 1348 and standing over 200ft. tall, the Galata Tower has long been a landmark of Istanbul and the pride of the Galata district.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-17.tif
  • Trams were brought to Istanbul by European diplomats and tradesmen in the 19th century. Today, this one that runs along Istanbul’s trendiest street, Istiklal Caddesi
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-15.tif
  • Trams were brought to Istanbul by European diplomats and tradesmen in the 19th century. Today, this one that runs along Istanbul’s trendiest street, Istiklal Caddesi
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-6.tif
  • Even with my DSLR strapped tightly around my chest bandolier style, I still had a nervous, "bull in a china shop" feeling when strolling through the porcelain section of the bazaar.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-811.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-805.tif
  • The stones in this switchback ramp to the upper galleries have been worn smooth from nearly 1,500 years of being walked on.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-681.tif
  • One of the major thoroughfares of the market lined with textiles. I dialed in a three second exposure to add motion blur and give the market some of the "buzz".
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-817.tif
  • One of the major thoroughfares of the market lined with textiles. I dialed in a three second exposure to add motion blur and give the market some of the "buzz".
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-816.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-645.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-808.tif
  • From Haghia Sophia to lanterns, mosaics are an integral part of Turkish art.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-807.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-803.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-784.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-776.tif
  • Sunlight pours through the windows of the South Gallery.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-762.tif
  • Created in 1261, the Deesis (Final Judgement) Mosaic was plastered over in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople to the muslim Ottomans, who converted it into a mosque. They were uncovered the first time in the 1840’s only to be plastered over again until their final restoration in 1936. In this image we see John the Baptist who flanks Jesus on the right.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-750.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-459.tif
  • Ancient frescoes adorn Aya Sofya’s massive ceilings.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-691.tif
  • The Aya Sofya is considered the epitome of Byzantine architechture and is said to have "changed the history of architechture". It became the paradigm for Orthodox Churches for centuries and then again for Ottoman mosques a thousand years after it's construction.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-686.tif
  • Sultanahmet Park, along with it's famous mosque bookends, i.e. The Aya Sofya and Blue Mosque are all beautifully drenched in light come sundown.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-635.tif
  • Built by Emperor Justinian in 532, the Basilica Cistern has 336 columns and is the largest remaining, of what used to be a series of cisterns throughout the city. Not unlike Rome, they were all fed by an innovative, stone aqueduct.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-550.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-449.tif
  • A fisherman monitors his final cast of the day for signs of hope as the sun sets behind the Golden Horn and Süleymaniye Mosque.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-99.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-89.tif
  • First completed in 1348 and standing over 200ft. tall, the Galata Tower has long been a landmark of Istanbul and the pride of the Galata district. I doubt that’s the case for the graffiti.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-45.tif
  • A feral cat pops into the frame for a photo bomb. 1/5 sec @ f22, ISO 80
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-791.tif
  • The ceiling inside the Blue Mosque looks like the world's largest kaleidoscope.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-786.tif
  • Wudu (ablutions) is an important purity ritual in Islam and must be performed before each prayer session. The four acts of Wudu consist of washing the face and arms, then wiping the head and the feet with water.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-785.tif
  • This 10th century mosaic is one of the best preserved. It depicts Mary holding the Christ Child with Constantine (on the right) offering her the city and Justinian offering the Aya Sofya itself.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-778.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-767.tif
  • Created in 1261, the Deesis (Final Judgement) Mosaic was plastered over in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople to the muslim Ottomans, who converted it into a mosque. They were uncovered the first time in the 1840’s only to be plastered over again until their final restoration in 1936. In this image we see John the Baptist who flanks Jesus on the right.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-733.tif
  • Ancient frescoes adorn Aya Sofya’s massive ceilings.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-693.tif
  • I made this photograph from the middle of Sultanahmet Park which serves as a tranquil path between The Aya Sofya and The Blue Mosque.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-584.tif
  • The whirling dance, known as "Sema" in Turkish, is actually a deeply spiritual ritual for the Mevlevi Order of Sufism and has even been declared a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-180.tif
  • This is the view out of a South facing window in Aya Sofya. The domed buildings in the foreground are the tombs of Aya Sofya's South courtyard. In the distance we see the Blue Mosque which bookends the other side of Sultanahmet Park.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-711.tif
  • Tourists and Worshipers alike pour into the Western courtyard of The Blue Mosque.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-589.tif
  • Fishing boats and container ships awaiting passage through the Bosphorus Strait are sillhouetted against a setting sun.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-506.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-203.tif
  • Looking across the Golden Horn Galata and it’s ancient tower.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-78.tif
  • This is the view out of a South facing window in Aya Sofya. The domed buildings in the foreground are the tombs of Aya Sofya's South courtyard. In the distance we see the Blue Mosque which bookends the other side of Sultanahmet Park.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-715.tif
  • The whirling dance, known as "Sema" in Turkish, is actually a deeply spiritual ritual for the Mevlevi Order of Sufism and has even been declared a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-178.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-63.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-729.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-146.tif
  • During it's heyday 11 centuries ago, the city of Angkor was at the center of the Khmer civilization. The Khmers were not only a powerful empire, they were also one of history's most creative and artistic. They created hundreds of buildings and temples that are as magnificent as they are massive. After the empire fell to the Siamese in 1431 the city was left to be devoured by the dense jungle of Northern Cambodia. It wasn't until the French explorer Henri Mouhot wrote about his discovery of the fabled "lost city of Angkor" in the 1860's that the modern world was introduced to one of humanity's greatest architectural achievements.<br />
This former Buddhist temple, Ta Prohm is one of the most popular sites at Angkor because unlike it's famous neighbors Angkor Wat and The Bayon, Ta Prohm was left exactly as it was found, so you get a real sense of what it must have been like to rediscover this majestic city. Most experts believe that these voracious trees that have overtaken the site are the very thing holding it together and if archaeologist were to remove them, Ta Prohm would simply crumble.
    TaPhromDoorway.tif
  • As the largest religious structure ever built and proprietor of some of the world’s most magnificent stone carvings, Angkor Wat is considered by many to be one of the greatest architectural achievements in human history. Divided into the three main levels of the Hindu cosmos, it features an 800 meter long gallery of magnificent bas-reliefs depicting epic stories from Hindu mythology, four stone block swimming pools and five central towers. These towers depict the peaks of Mount Meru, home of the gods and the center of the Hindu universe. At over 180 feet high, they can not only be seen from the town of Siem Reap six kilometers away, they can also be seen all over the country as the main symbol on the Cambodian flag.<br />
The Wat is the crowning achievement of the Khmer civilization which, in it’s prime, ruled over most of Southeast Asia. It was commissioned by and built for the god-king, Suryavarman II who was worshipped as an incarnation of the protector god Vishnu. The only temple in the Khmer empire facing West into the setting sun, a symbol of death in Hinduism, it is an accepted belief that it was built as a mausoleum for Suryavarman II. The fact that it took 50,000 artist and laborers nearly 40 years to complete is a testament to the Khmers power, wealth and devotion.<br />
To make this photograph showing all five towers, I walked off of the main causeway and joined the cattle that still graze in the fields contained within Angkor’s vast complex. Taken just before sunset, it illustrates why we photographers refer to this time of day as “golden hour”. Taken at any other time of the day, the wat wouldn’t have this beautiful golden color of the sunset, but rather it’s natural stone-grey color.
    AngkorWatAtGoldenHour.tif
  • The Bund in Shanghai is a former jewel of the British Empire.
    TheBundAtNight.tif
  • The “chira” (fly swatter) is made of horsehair and has been the most immediately recognizable part of the Christian Ethiopian Empire’s regalia for centuries.
    20141004-Ethiopia-Aksum-208.jpg