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  • This gentleman is the orthodox high priest of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Upon finishing an outdoor mass he approached me and asked if I wanted to go inside to see crypts of Haile Selassie a.k.a. Ras Tafari and his wife which are kept inside, adjacent to the vestibule. He must have thought I was with Nat Geo or something as apparently they usually charge a ‘museum’ fee for that. I’m sure it’s intended to not only, well, raise money for the church, but also as a means to restrict the crowds and prevent the church from becoming a scene like that at Mao Zedong’s mausoleum. At any rate, I took him up on the offer and moments later found myself standing over the auxumite granite tombs of Emperor Haile Salassie (The Holy One), his wife Empress Menen Asfaw and other family members. I took in the significance of the moment. Not so much out of respect for his status as a leader, but more so from being the huge fan of reggae music that I am. I mean I’ve been hearing about this guy from Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and all of my other favorite rasta’s my whole life! The least I could do is bow my head for the inspiration he gave those fellas, right? <br />
As he was escorting me out, I thanked him quietly yet profusely and asked him if I could make a portrait to remember him by to which he gave an approving nod. I and I left that church feelin’ irie I for the rest of the day!
    20140927-Ethiopia-AddisAbaba-Holy Tr...jpg
  • 20140927-Ethiopia-AddisAbaba-Holy Tr...jpg
  • 20140927-Ethiopia-AddisAbaba-Holy Tr...jpg
  • 20140927-Ethiopia-AddisAbaba-Holy Tr...jpg
  • 20140927-Ethiopia-AddisAbaba-Holy Tr...jpg
  • Everything about Aya Sofya was done on a grand scale, including the windows.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-668.tif
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-234.jpg
  • Sunlight pours through the windows of the South Gallery.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-757.tif
  • Unlike hijabs (head and/or neck scarves worn by muslim women) in Middle-Eastern countries, the women in this tiny muslim enclave in Ethiopia wear vibrant colors just like their non-muslim counterparts across the continent.
    20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-103.jpg
  • Sunlight pours through the windows of the South Gallery.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-765.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-470.tif
  • 20141001-Ethiopia-Harar-168.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-210.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-171.jpg
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-155.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-165.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-774.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-770.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. 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-201.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-180.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-168.jpg
  • 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-799.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • The large, Western entrance to the Blue Mosque is a popular place for snapshots.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-622.tif
  • 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
  • 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
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-461.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
  • 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
  • Mikael Cemetery is just outside of town on an adjacent hillside and below the Christian church of the same name. Ironically, unlike the ancient town it serves, the cemetery has no walls or gates. Therefore, you can expect locals to be not only paying their respects, but also grazing their cattle. <br />
On the hillside in the background you can the ancient walled city of Harar, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2006.
    20141002-Ethiopia-Harar-36.jpg
  • 20141001-Ethiopia-Harar-141.jpg
  • 20141001-Ethiopia-Harar-112.jpg
  • A young man walking to one of Harar’s 82 mosques, no doubt, passes through the Jugol Wall via Buda Gate.
    20141001-Ethiopia-Harar-97-Edit.tif
  • 20141001-Ethiopia-Harar-24.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-258.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-255.jpg
  • Ras Makonnen was Emperor Menelik's cousin and was appointed first ruler of Harar after the emperor's occupation of the city. Ras Makonnen was also the father of the Emperor Haile Selassie.
    20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-215.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-203.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-177.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-175.jpg
  • Two things in this scene really grabbed my attention and inspired me to make this photograph. Comment below what you think they were.
    20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-167.jpg
  • 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
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-766.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
  • High in the apse of the church is this stunning 'Virgin and Christ Child' mosaic.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-648.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-483.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-207.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
  • 20141004-Ethiopia-Aksum-143.jpg
  • 20141004-Ethiopia-Aksum-68.jpg
  • 20141001-Ethiopia-Harar-156.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-233.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-265.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-242.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-241.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-221.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-220.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-134.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-130.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-110.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-91.jpg
  • 20140930-Ethiopia-Harar-75.jpg
  • 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
  • From Haghia Sophia to lanterns, mosaics are an integral part of Turkish art.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-807.tif
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-805.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
  • 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
  • 20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-459.tif
  • Ancient frescoes adorn Aya Sofya’s massive ceilings.
    20141212-Turkey-Istanbul-691.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-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-550.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-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
  • 20141004-Ethiopia-Aksum-56.jpg
  • 20141002-Ethiopia-Harar-59.jpg
  • This is the ‘Ge Gar’ (Reception Room) of a traditional Harari House I stayed in for a week. The ‘nadaba’ (raised platforms for sitting) have five different levels and is traditionally hierarchal. As a guest, the family granted me access to all levels save the highest one.
    20141002-Ethiopia-Harar-2.jpg
  • 20141004-Ethiopia-Aksum-59.jpg
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