Mattnic's Photos

Click here for large size. Hagia Sophia is under constant repair and restoration. This web of scaffold reaches to the top of the dome. I like the idea that there is something particularly holy about that patch of metal and netting.

This photo is Public

Click here for large size. A restored Byzantine mosaic in Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. Taken in the same manner as this photo.

This photo is Public

Hagia Sophia (constructed 532-537) was the largest Cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, and subsequently one of the pre eminent mosques of the Ottoman empire after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. A place of worship for Emperors and Sultans, it is filled with exquisite mosaics and decoration. What I find more impressive however is this simple masons mark. Hidden over a balcony it provides a direct link to the work of one man 1500 years ago. Click here for large size.

This photo is Public

Click here for large size. The Blue Mosque at night, showing all six minarets.

This photo is Public

Click here for large size. I upped the blacks to create a more impressive silhouette and to try and draw the eye towards the evening light instead.

This photo is Public

Click here for large size. The ceiling inside the Blue Mosque. All the museums and monuments in Istanbul allow photography, with some exceptions for special collections etc. You are not however allowed tripods or flash. To try and get a shake free image in low light conditions I tried to frame what I wanted then put the camera on a timer and placed it on the floor hoping to get a reasonably decent photo. A really great shot of the interior by 360 Pixels can be found on Flickr here.

This photo is Public

Click here for large size. The video on the right is by intrepberkexplorer and gives a good view of the interior and exterior of the Mosque.

This photo is Public

Click here for large size. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, opposite the Haghia Sophia. Constructed between 1609 and 1616. Wikipedia entry: http://tinyurl.com/2dgxc7 Taken from the courtyard at the front, this is quite a popular perspective

This photo is Public

The 6th Century AD Basilica Cistern constructed by Emperor Justinian to provide water for the Byzantine palace in Constantinople: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern

This photo is Public

From the days when aerated water was at the fore of modern technology. I knocked up the contrast and blacks to try and make it feel more old world-ish.

This photo is Public

click here for large size.

This photo is Public

click here for large size.

This photo is Public

click here for large size.

This photo is Public

This knot in the tree bark looks as if it has been keeping watch over the parkland for many decades. Click here for large size.

This photo is Public

Click here for large size.

This photo is Public

The bridge over Clumber Lake, Nottinghamshire. Click here for large size.

This photo is Public

Click here for large size.

This photo is Public