Such is the case with this image for example. Taken over 2 years ago, the interesting part about it was always the light. As with any photograph the light, and the quality of the light, is often the biggest determining factor of a successful image. Cropping it to 16×9 and subtly processing it in Photohop, made this work at this particular point in time. Time will also tell if this image is successful or not, but for me the success part is if I’m happy with it. The rest is gravy

This was a quick grab of a few shots I attempted to make. I was aiming for something more dramatic, but didn’t manage to quite get it. However, I feel that this image represents what it is like to walk along this route.

Processing wise, just some curves to lower contrast and tone the image.

Also, my apologies for the recent lack of updates. I’ve spent the last month traveling in and out with little time to sit down and work on photographs.

Hope you enjoy this one.

It was slightly difficult to find the entrance to the Basilica, and for those of you that may go and visit, head towards where the tram lines curve back, and you are pretty much there. This turned out to be one of my favorite places that we visited. It was on the list to see, but I hadn’t given it much thought. Once inside however, I couldn’t help but just feel excited for being in this place.

This photograph was made using my trusty GorillaPod anchored and twisted into the hand rail. There were lots of people around, and shaking the handrail/guard, so it took a few tries before I got something sharp. In all though, I’m very glad I took the GorillaPod with me.

As for processing, I left the white balance as it came out of the camera. It is pretty orange/red down there and I think the camera did a good job with it. I added a bit of clarity (about +25) in Lightroom 4, and used the lens correction. In Photoshop, I skewed it a bit to align the far left columns and then it was series of curves adjustment layers to handle the water, the ceiling and the overall contrast.

Hope you like it, more to come.

Hagia Sophia as a long history, and particularly impressive are the early 13th century mosaics on the second floor. Many of them were covered for hundreds of years due to its conversion to a mosque. Also impressive to me, and the subject of this photograph, are the chandeliers on the main hall and throughout the building. You can’t see it here, but they are just above your head as you walk about.

From a photograph perspective, this shot was made at ISO 800 at f4. I’m continuously impressed at how good the files out the Canon 5D Mark II are. I purposely composed the people out of the shot, and had to skew the right bottom corner a bit in Photoshop to remove some of the heads that poked out, and align the image a little bit. During post, I applied individual curve layers for each major section of the interior. I then used a black and white layer to de-saturate the image, and brought some of it back on the lights of the front most chandelier. I then toned the image slightly with another curves layer, and finaly added a vignet.

Let me know what you think, more to come.

P.S.: The Museum card is only worth it to by-pass the lines, I wouldn’t recommend it much for the rest of the access it gives you for the price, but have a look if you ever go it might make sense to you.

The interesting part was finding a view point to make this shot. After wondering around the Sultanahmet district looking for a roof top terrace to shoot from, and without really knowing what would work, we decided to pop into a hotel and ask the front desk. As usual (for Istanbul) the staff was super friendly and even though they had their own rooftop, they recommended we go elsewhere if we wanted the best sunset view of the Blue Mosque. The quality of service we experienced, and as well just the overall demeanor of the Turkish people we met was always of a friendly nature. Even the vendors at the Grand Bazaar, while pushy and a bit in your face, still pretty friendly.

And so of we went to the Seven Hills Restaurant, where we were lucky to get a corner seat where this photo was taken. To our backs was the  Hagia Sophia. We had a few small plates to eat, and enjoyed a cold beverage, while we waited for sunset and the blue hour. If you go to Istanbul, the terrace and the staff at the Seven Hills Restaurant is not to be missed

More to come.

These were a surprise for me. I had no idea going into the Cistern that these even existed, so once I saw them, I was really surprised. The Basilica is a pretty dark and spooky place, made even more so by the cavernous music that plays throughout your exploration, and of  course these Medusa heads.

The area you have to try and make a photograph is very small. At most, 2 people can squeeze through. I used my GorillaPod set on the wet ground in front of me, and had to focus by using the distance scale on the 17-40mm lens, and composing without looking through the viewfinder. All around me were people walking by using their camera flashes, which in turn resulted in some of the effects that are evident in this photograph. I made 2 shots, with this second one being acceptably sharp.

Processing wise, I darkened the outer edges using a curves layer and a circular gradient mask. I took the same mask and added a second layer to bring out the detail on the actual face. I also used a High Pass Sharpen filter, to bring out more detail on the head. I then used another curves layer to tone the image a little bit. I then applied a bit of dodge and burn using a grey layer in Soft Light mode. And finally a curves layer to create a vignet. The image was slightly cropped and straightened.

Hope you like it, more from Istanbul to come.

This image was taken on the way back from Burano in Venice. Underexposed by two stops, and toned in photoshop using curves. See you soon!