omalko

Old City, Old Window

Aug, 2016

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo is taken from the top of a hotel in Sanaa, the capital city of Yemen. This place is called as the "Old City". It is the old city center. When I saw the place, I was fascinated and surprised. It was a lovely place like it came from the tales of 1001 nights.

Time

It was around 4 or 5 PM. I could not arrange the time because my aim was not to travel and photograph. I was just trying to use every opportunity. But, fortunately, the time was very good for traveling and photographing the environment. There was a perfect weather, sunlight was not bad and I had a good guide who was a young man just trying to practice his English. He took me to this roof. The date was June 2012. I really loved there.

Lighting

As you can see from the image, light is totally natural. The sun was not on top so there were no harsh light. Actually the time was very good for such a photograph. However, the weather was little fuzzy. So the hills on the backstage are not visible. The good think was, the light were nearly same in every angle. So I could choose the best view regardless of thinking the direction of the light.

Equipment

I just had my camera with me. I think I couldn't take my slr for some reason. This might be taken with my compact camera Canon Powershot S5 IS. It was a good one though. It could give me many manual settings except a changeable lens. But nothing can be compared with an slr.

Inspiration

I can surely say that: "The place inspired me to this photo". I was not expecting such a lovely place. It was the mixture of history and mystery -mystery part can be a little subjective- . I felt in that way. So, for such a person like me, -"a photography oriented mind" amateur- it was impossible to leave there without photographs. There are many photos I took there but this hotel roof had given me just the thing I wanted: A good view, a good composition chance and a comfy environment to take a shot.

Editing

As post-processing, I just played with contrast and color balance. My camera was good but it had some negative effects on colors. Also that fuzzy weather made it a little faded. I just made it closer to real with small adjustments.

In my camera bag

First of all, of course "my precious" Canon DSLR (650D). Yes it is neither the best camera in the market nor the most advanced one. But I love it. And it fits to my budget. I, normally would like to use many lenses. Like 85mm 1.2 or 1.8, 55mm, 300mm (Unfortunately I do not have them all but I never miss a chance to shoot with them if I find one). Generally, in general purposed travels, I took my 18-55 and 55-250 lenses with me. They cover nearly all focus lengths I would want. They are not the best lenses but they are the ones I have. So they are the best lenses in the world for me "for now". I also carry 1 off camera flash (2, if I have enough space). You can never know where you need an extra light. And my filters. I generally take a polarize filter and an adjustable ND filter. I never leave my tripod behind unless I do not have the comfort to carry it because of some special occasions.

Feedback

Never miss the chance to travel! Never underestimate the places you did not see. You can see a wonderful place in the middle of nowhere or in a very small and poor country/city. Try to draw your path through unusual places and routes. For me, the most important thing in a place is its "soul". An unknown place with a spirit in it give much more feelings to people according to a crowded, well-known and inured ones. Or, I think, we should try to find different angles which can mirror that spirit of the place. When a good place is combined with composition and creativity, you can cook a masterpiece. I am not into that level but I know that, this is true.

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omalko

Old City, Old Window

Behind The Lens

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