Minaret, a photo from Jawa Tengah, Java

Photographer's Note

Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country but also the most "moderate". Extreme behaviours of fanatics are strongly condemned. This mosque (here you can see only the entrance of the yard and one minaret)is one of the biggest of the world and it is located just outside of Semarang, the capital of Central Java. Everyone is welcome to go inside and pray even if he's not a Muslim. The Indonesians are trying to combine it with some kind of religious tourism, that's why they are building a big hotel very close to the mosque.

*This is my first attempt with the DRI (Dynamic Range Increase) method. The right way is to take three or more photos of the same place with diferent exposures. As i was not planning to try DRI on this one, i took only one picture (RAW file). Then when i decided to give it a try i converted three times the same picture from RAW to TIFF, with different exposures (-1,5 EV, 0 EV, +1,5 EV). If i had managed to be there in the "blue hour" the result would be better, but you can't always get what you want.

I would like to thank Sakis Panagiotopoulos ("AthaPan")for his valuable help and the intensive lessons about DRI method

coco, FilipDzik, evanrizo, siolaw, teutza, josepmarin, quillo, barrufeto_77, cbridge, craiggc, Xalkida, Anna--, CRATEOS, ahmetgedikli, gulliver, fabio_ts, elmec, cengiz, Dari, sayan heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

coco (30439) 2006-06-10 5:56

Me tengo que poner al día (en un post me explicó, también Sakis) como funciona el método DRI... pero la verdad que me hago una idea lo que es, pero mis conocimientos son todavía demasiado limitados.

Sea como sea, el resultado de la foto es bueno. El juego de luces y la composición resaltan bien y crean un ambiente muy efectivo y visualmente atractivo.

Un buen trabajo.

Carlos.

FilipDzik (282) 2006-06-10 6:06

Hello Hercules,

amazing composition. Is that floor so clean or maybe it was raining? Superb reflection! Very good framing and WB.

Thanks for sharing
Filip

veve (4189) 2006-06-10 6:21

Hello!
Very good reflection!
Nice colors!
Thanks for sharing
Veronica

evanrizo (462) 2006-06-10 6:23

Πανεμορφη φωτογραφία, Hercules!

siolaw (38294) 2006-06-10 6:31

Hi Hercules,
An excellent result of that 1st attempt... perfect reflection giving a strong graphical effect . Good framing andexposure.
Well done
Laurent

teutza (10590) 2006-06-10 6:34

thank you very much for the note!i can learn a lot of it!and the photo is great too!TFS!
have a great weekend!

josepmarin (59385) 2006-06-10 6:46

Hola Hercules,
Bella foto nocturna de esta entrada a la mezquita.
El encuadre que has escogido, con el arco que forman las columnas, el minarete a un lado, y sus magníficos reflejos que se pueden ver en el suelo mojado y brillante forman una imagen con un gran grafismo geométrico y una perfecta simetría horizontal.
Buena nota explicando la técnica empleada.
Excelente trabajo, amigo mío.
Un cordial saludo,
Josep

quillo (11858) 2006-06-10 6:53

Hola Hercules, la simetría en este caso está justificada y logra un resultado agradable y bonito, los colores y los reflejos en un fondo nocturno me gusta.

Buen trabajo amigo.

Paco

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2006-06-10 7:09

Hola Hercules.

Un impresionante juego de luces y simetría, alucinante!

Un saludo, OScar

AthaPan (0) 2006-06-10 7:11

Ekseretiko apotelesma me tin methodo DRI, ola ta alla logia einia perita!
Poly kalo apotelesma kai me ton evrijonio fako...ax autos o fakos tha mou faei ola ta film :-)

Xilia bravo jia to motivo, tin epeksergasia kai jia to note.

Ta leme file
Sakis
YS: sou ksefyje ena "f" stin leksi different sto kato meros tis eksijisis sou :-)

hamster (104) 2006-06-10 7:39

Beautiful shot - sharp and perfectly comosed with very intersting reflection. You haven't mentioned about the tripod but I suppose you've used one.

Regards,
Grzegorz

cbridge (702) 2006-06-10 7:43

Hercules,
The subject is most interesting and you have made the most of the opportunity! This photo has wonderful exposure and composition. The caption is most useful, too. Thanks very much!
Campbell

daddo (28748) 2006-06-10 7:51

Hi Hercules. Marvellous exposure, light, composition. Clean, clear lines- including the reflection, make this a harmonious and uplifting composition. Excellent. Regards, Klaudio

delkoo (68) 2006-06-10 8:11

hi ercules

photo hyperrealist, everything is so perfect.

well done
regards
didier

craiggc (2509) 2006-06-10 10:15

Well done Hercules - this has come out really well. The sharpness is very impressive. The reflections are superb!
Craig

s10001in (0) 2006-06-10 12:05

Hercules,
Beautiful clean shot with great reflections.

Great composition & color
Very well done.
TFS,
Shailendra

Xalkida (11744) 2006-06-10 12:36

Εξαιρετική η φωτογραφία σου φίλε Ηρακλή. Τόσο καθαρή και με απίστευτο φωτισμό. Οι αντακλάσεις τέλειες. Εξαιρετική δουλειά!

fanny21 (867) 2006-06-10 13:38

Belle compo ! Les couleurs sont belles et naturelles et la symétrie de ta photo est impressionnante...Une belle sereinité dans cette photo.

Anna-- (7801) 2006-06-10 16:43

Hi Hercules,
even though is the first attempt, it has succeeded really well. Very clean image and perfect reflections... almost unreal.
Compliments
Anna

CRATEOS (7278) 2006-06-11 2:34

exeretikes oi fotografies sou nixteridopoule!!!ke oi tris ..pou apoteloun tin exeretiko pinaka ayton!!!i simetria eine exesia ke oi antanaklaseis dilpasiazoun tin apolaysi..sinexise akathectos xeretizo file moy Νικηφορος

Graal (103040) 2006-06-11 15:30

Hi Hercules,
fantastic view, great composition, colours and reflections. I like this view a lot. Well done photo.
Rgs, Aleksander

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2006-06-11 16:06

Hi Hercules,
Very interesting view. Superb composition, lighting and good symmetry. Thanks for sharing. Well done!
Ahmet

gulliver (1648) 2006-06-12 1:24

Woahhh!!! What a nice reflexion you get there Hercules. This symetry gives almost the illusion of a monster mouth ;-). Thanks for the added technical commments, we appreciate!

fabio_ts (13696) 2006-06-12 2:52

Really nice work Hercules, perfect use of wide zoom and good attempt with DRI.. I like a lot the result, compliments!!

have a nice day,
Fabio.

roamermark (1592) 2006-06-12 15:36

Beautiful,
Looks like a reflection on the water. Thanks for the technical info in the note as well.
Cheers
Mark

simplyoga (6506) 2006-06-12 22:35

Hi Hercules,
Lovely reflection..
Where is exactly the location of this mosque ?? I come from Semarang, but never seen this view (coz I moved already to Bali).. it's too bad :(

rosaline (0) 2006-06-13 3:57

Hi Hercules
This is an impressive reflection technique you have used in this shot. Nice colours and exposure and the sharpness is good. The semi circular effect of the structure is well framed and looks very stunning. Well done.
Aubrey

veronika (6058) 2006-06-13 15:47

Hello Hercules, this is truly excellent result for your first try, perfect, you lern very fast :)
Picture is fantastic, i like that also non-muslims can enter it and be there, it has taste of peace.. :)
Good night Hercules
Vero

elmec (12210) 2006-06-13 16:56

Hello Hercules!
The mirror reflection in calm water are amazing!
Ideal symetric with perfect light makes great photo!
Congratulations!
Regards!

rabdelnoor (3423) 2006-06-13 23:12

Hi Hercules,
This night shot is really impressive. You managed very well the exposure and got beautiful light and colors and good sharpness. Beautiful reflection on the shine floor.
Regards
Ricardo

cengiz (3593) 2006-06-14 9:01

very good reflection, artistic result
compliments my friend
cengiz

Dari (24) 2006-06-18 12:25

HI, Hercules. Perfect reflections...such a clear night image...very nice. character on top of the walls gives it more speciality.
have a nice Monday ahead :)!
Dari

magdaj (1111) 2006-06-19 14:36

Hello Hercules :))
Wonderful view.
Pretty lights and composition.
Lovely reflections.
Regards & smile:)
Magda

Gdouble (0) 2006-06-19 16:13

Hi Hercules,
Wonderful reflexion, like a real mirror.
Fantastic shot
Guy

sayan (2617) 2006-06-20 7:02

Hercules,
One of your very best efforts here. I wonder how you have managed this! I must say that you have succeded with honours in your first attempt in the DRI method! Very beautiful image with great reflections!
Best regards,
Sayan

adam_k (600) 2006-07-19 5:03

Well done night scenery... and quite an interesting object... I like the reflections as well

KostasKon (0) 2006-09-07 14:38

Μου αρέσουν πάρα πολύ οι βραδινές φωτογραφίες και η συγκεκριμένη είναι απίστευτη. Συμμετρική, με υπέροχα χρώματα και εξαιρετικα αποτυπωμένη η αντανάκλαση.