This photo was taken when tourism between Israel and Jordan was still relatively limited and entrance to Petra cost only two dinars. I used an Olympus point and shoot, and the photo was taken at day's end, thus resulting in fewer people and nicer lighting.
wooww james the photography is huge a not true image of a wonderful place. it' s to sin a wideangle, with a cut therefore the effect would have been "enormous".. congrat for the front page and to the next one roby
This is our first, but hopefully not last meeting on the pages of "Usefilm", Mr.Clost. I read your bio, in which you numbered the countries you visited, which, with the exception of mainland China and Korea I visited in 1982 and, of course, Jordan and especially Petra, which I visited as soon as the border was opened for Israelis. In your bio you mention "back home" but do not specify what "back home" is. From one of your photos I opened and I opened quite a few, I surmised that you were Canadian. I looked at your entire portfolio and was impressed by the quality and diversity of your photos. After some hesitations I opted to comment on this photo because beside being excellent it depicted a place I remembered best. I don't know if you know that quite a few Israelis tried to reach Petra before the border was opened and only a few of them survived, the others being killed on the way. There is even a song about the "Red rock" that was not allowed to be broadcast on the radio so as not to tempt those who wanted to go before it was safe. All the photos from the places I mentioned so far were photographed with film cameras and have to wait to be scanned. I now use a Fuji Fine S7000 and a small Nikon S1 with which I captured the photo you commented on. Unlike you I was disappoined by the bigger Nikon, and finally replaced it by the Fuji, which I don't intend to replace in the forseeable future unless a TTL digital camera I can afford comes along and unlike you, when in Hong Kong I was disappointed by the high price demanded by local camera shops. In my experience, the best bargains can either be struck in the US or surprisingly in Israel, if you know where to go. The photo you commented on was not taken by me, but I posted it all the same. Of course the decision to post the photos you mention is yours, but if I were you I probably would have posted them and added the name of the original photographer or written "photographer unknown." You are, of course, invited to read my bio and pay further visits to my portfolio. In the meatime I thank you for commenting on my "Best fiends 1939" in a friendly way. I understand generally what you mean by "slippery road syndrome", but could you please be more specific? Best regards, Dr. Rafael (Rafi for future communications) Springmann
Hi James, I agree, could think of worst places to wait. In general, early morning or late afternoon are the best times for photography any how. The few people in this shot are vital to the atmosphere of this image, as they liven up the scene, provide a reference to the sheer size and actually prevent my eye from wandering off. Very good shot. As the top of the shrine is cut off, I think I would've chosen a portrait fromat, though. Needless to say, that's a personal preference. I think the walls on both sides would make a very good natural framing, whereas they can in the current version be considered secondary subjects. The tones and colours are beautiful, and I like the perspective in this shot.
Hi James, I agree, could think of worst places to wait. In general, early morning or late afternoon are the best times for photography any how. The few people in this shot are vital to the atmosphere of this image, as they liven up the scene, provide a reference to the sheer size and actually prevent my eye from wandering off. Very good shot. As the top of the shrine is cut off, I think I would've chosen a portrait fromat, though. Needless to say, that's a personal preference. I think the walls on both sides would make a very good natural framing, whereas they can in the current version be considered secondary subjects. The tones and colours are beautiful, and I like the perspective in this shot.
Splendid picture, great capture and composition. Overall excellent. Needs a bit of sharpening, perhaps, in Photoshop. I attempted here a sample for your review. Best regards, Alex
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{K:209486} 8/6/2005
