MIsabel

Jingle Bells

Etchmiadzin Cathedral bell tower - Armenia.

(Jingle Bells' song)

Etchmiadzin Cathedral bell tower - Armenia.

(Jingle Bells' song)
Read less

Canon PowerShot SX700 HS

settings

Aperture 56/10 ISO 800 Shutter 1/100 Focal Length 45060/1000

upload_date

Oct, 2016

Views

184

Likes

+19

Awards

Winner in Bells Photo Challenge

Peer Award

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was taken at the Echmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia. This is its beautiful Bell Tower. The Etchmiadzin Cathedral is the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church. According to scholars it was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and is considered the oldest cathedral in the world. The original church was built in the early fourth century—between 301 and 303 according to tradition—by Armenia's patron saint Gregory the Illuminator, following the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by King Tiridates III. It replaced a preexisting temple, symbolizing the conversion from paganism to Christianity. The core of the current building was built in 483/4 by Vahan Mamikonian after the cathedral was severely damaged in a Persian invasion. From its foundation until the second half of the fifth century, Etchmiadzin was the seat of the Catholicos, the supreme head of the Armenian Church. Although never losing its significance, the cathedral subsequently suffered centuries of virtual neglect. In 1441 it was restored as catholico sate and remains as such to this day. Since then the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has been the administrative headquarters of the Armenian Church. Etchmiadzin was plundered by the Safavids in 1604, when relics and stones were taken out of the cathedral to New Julfa in an effort to undermine Armenians' attachment to their land. Since then the cathedral has undergone a number of renovations. Belfries were added in the latter half of the seventeenth century and in 1868 a sacristy was constructed at the cathedral's east end. Today, it incorporates styles of different periods of Armenian architecture. Diminished during the early Soviet period, Etchmiadzin revived again in the second half of the twentieth century, and under independent Armenia. As the main shrine of religious Christian Armenians worldwide, Etchmiadzin has been an important location in Armenia not only religiously, but also politically and culturally. A major pilgrimage site, it is one of the most visited places in the country. Along with several important early medieval churches located nearby, the cathedral was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.

Time

I took this photo by 08:20 a.m.

Lighting

The low light of the sun by that hour enabled me to better see the inside cravings around the bells.

Equipment

I used my Canon PowerShot SX700 HS, ISO 800, F 5/6, no tripod and no flash. Lens is Canon 30X15.

Inspiration

Honestly, the beauty always inspires me. No matter if it is Nature, architecture, objects, any details, etc. I simply looked up and found that there were not only the bells and they were inserted in a very beautiful artful dome.

Editing

I edited this photo only to redimension it.

In my camera bag

I always have my two last cameras - The Canon and the Olympus - a small tripod and a lot of love for photography.

Feedback

In this case, as the Armenian churches are usually very dark, we must take advantage of the day light. Or highlighting details or trying to contrast the dark / light places.

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MIsabel

MIsabel

Jingle Bells

Etchmiadzin Cathedral bell tower - Armenia. (Jingle Bells' song)

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow MIsabel

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Etchmiadzin Cathedral bell tower - Armenia.

(Jingle Bells' song)

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Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.