Turkey - Brand New Day over The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii) in Istanbul
The cascading domes and six slender minarets of the Sultanahmet Mosque (better known as the "Blue Mosque") dominate the skyline of Istanbul. In the 17th century, Sultan Ahmet I wished to build an Islamic place of worship that would be even better than the Hagia Sophia, and the mosque named for him is the result. The two great architectural achievements now stand next to each other in Istanbul's main square, and it is up to visitors to decide which is more impressive.
One of the most notable features of the Blue Mosque is visible from far away: its six minarets. This is very unique, as most mosques have four, two, or just one minaret. According to one account, the Sultan directed his architect to make gold (altin) minarets, which was misunderstood as six (alti) minarets. Whatever the origins of the unique feature, the six minarets caused quite a scandal, as the Haram Mosque in Mecca (the holiest in the world) also had six minarets. In the end, the sultan solved the problem by sending his architect to Mecca to add a seventh minaret. The other striking feature of the exterior is the beautifully-arranged cascade of domes that seem to spill down from the great central dome. The arcades running beneath each dome add further visual rhythm. None of the exterior is blue - the name "Blue Mosque" comes from the blue tiles inside.
As for this shot, it is all about location !! When choosing hotel in Istanbul I made sure that at least one blue hour (particularly the morning one) could be taken from a place as close to the hotel as possible. At the end this shot was taken from the hotel's top terrace, therefore I only had to go 2 floors up. I only wish all morning blue hour shoots would be so easy, plus that delicious breakfast with such a view after I finished with the photography was just an added bonus.
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Lens's focal length: 70.00 - 200.00 mm, Photo Focal length: 70.00 mm, Aperture: 13, Exposure time: 13.0 s, ISO: 100
All rights reserved - Copyright © Lucie Debelkova
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Mascinka, mhels_13, ♥Simplymichelle, Matyas Dubai, and 211 other people added this photo to their favorites.
© Lucie Debelkova / www.luciedebelkova.com (31 months ago | reply)
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Adib Roy (31 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous! Amazing colors
radleyfreak (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
☆Mi☺Λmor☆ (31 months ago | reply)
:) thats a lovely shot Lucie :) and that hotel tip sure is useful if i go to Istanbul will try to find such a hotel :)
Emre Ucar (31 months ago | reply)
lovely indeed
antonyspencer (31 months ago | reply)
Another fantastic image Lucie!
Ginyah (31 months ago | reply)
well taken ^_^
Matyas Dubai (31 months ago | reply)
wow......
Domi Rolland (31 months ago | reply)
Tellement Belle et jolie
Domi
phginlon (31 months ago | reply)
Glorious shot of a great building.
samyaoo 山姆搖 (31 months ago | reply)
Awesome shot. Great work!
*seawind* (31 months ago | reply)
beautiful atmosphere!
Unique_Snowflake (31 months ago | reply)
stunning mosque
Stanczyk J. (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
samyaoo 山姆搖 (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Dietmar Temps (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
abduleelah.s.klefah (31 months ago | reply)
Excellent
Debbini (31 months ago | reply)
Excellente
Steeve Lane (Please Read Profile) (31 months ago | reply)
Fantastic night shot.
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
darwaysh (31 months ago | reply)
fantastic well done mate
Toi-Vido (31 months ago | reply)
Beautiful picture, beautiful colors, good show, well done.
Greetings from Iceland
burningphoenix (31 months ago | reply)
So amasing.
Marco Bianchi (31 months ago | reply)
Fantastic!!!
Sanjasumyung (31 months ago | reply)
Really facinate colors, so nice work
Call me Lee (31 months ago | reply)
wow, awesome
Luis "Morningrise" Jordao (31 months ago | reply)
Great colors on a majestic spot !
Eman Alsulami Photography [deleted] (31 months ago | reply)
I Love this shot... i love all ur shots ... go go lucie ... ur the best
Romain Baluteaud (31 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot
~MissLilly~ (31 months ago | reply)
wow I really love this nocturnal view, the light and the colours are really amazing
eatienza ♫♪♫ (31 months ago | reply)
Fantastica...
Billy Cadiz -sorry bz.. can't visit your site guys (31 months ago | reply)
oh wow again...
juntos ( MOSTLY OFF) (31 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Splendid Pictures/Admin Invite Only, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
adour garonne (31 months ago | reply)
Superbe !
This is ART!
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l*aura* :( (31 months ago | reply)
love this pleace...................S. Sofia............Fantastic !!!
Audiotribe (31 months ago | reply)
Stunning shot!
Zeki Öztürk (31 months ago | reply)
very very nice
Zeki Öztürk (31 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Acizane-Nacizane-Humility, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Zeki Öztürk (31 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ~ The Muslim World ~ , and we'd love to have this added to the group!
arfromqatar (31 months ago | reply)
Fantastic image Lucie!
‘ Fatma ✿ [deleted] (31 months ago | reply)
great view
lovely shot
fav
Ga clicker (31 months ago | reply)
I'll be there on a cruise in May and looking forward to it. Wonderful image as always.......
vogualf (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
photodado (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
arhaimey (31 months ago | reply)
masaallah, nice
carlosggg (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Arata Photography (31 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous shot!!!
claudiodelfuoco (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
Mach90 (31 months ago | reply)
I pick this photograph to be on the cover of National Geographic
National Geographic: Are You Good Enough?
vgh.media (31 months ago | reply)
amazing had a bureau in Istambul a while ago...never saw this perspective...respect
ESLOOGIYAH (31 months ago | reply)
Amazing...