Best of a bad bunch - Basilica Cistern Istanbul - Film Feb
I'm really not happy with this shot but wanted to show some one of my favourite sanctuaries in Istanbul
I had no idea how to get a decent shot in low light. I had no idea how to take the camera off fully auto. Being film I had no idea if the shots turned out or not. I really wish I could go back with what I now know.
I really wanted to share a photo from a wonderful place - the Roman built 6th century. It provided water filtration a storage from many of the important buildings including the palaces. It measures about 64m x 138m, the ceiling supported by some 336 marble columns. A lot of the building materials were taken form oter structures, the columns being a mix of Ionic, Doric and Cortihian. One lovely columns was covered in peacock eye patterns. Two columns are supported by huge carved Medusa heads - one upside down and one on its side (those shots are way too blurry for me to be comfortable to share .... even this shot is painful to share)
It was being used as an art space while I visited, visitors could wander along wooden walkways and admire illuminated sculptures suspended over the water whilst music played and water dripped from the ceiling. It was cool and quiet and as there was an entry fee a place to escape from the persistent touts trying to get you to visit their shops. In one corner was a small cafe, they sold coffee or tea, coke, mars bars, snickers and packs of potato crisps.
This photo still shows the beautiful textures and colours, and your description of walking through it provides the rest! I love the walls! Your description of yourself with your camera back then almost describes me now, lol!
I agree with Trude. The technical quality of the photo is less important than then captured memory and the impression.I like the greens here contrasting with the orange tonalities both in shape and color.
Very atmospheric! I too have a lot of technically-terrible photos that I just can't part with for sentimental reasons. I can almost feel like I"m there, strolling through those great cavernous walkways enjoying the art.
Hope you do go back one day just to relive it all again!