Cash254's photostream

A thundery afternoon in Sao Paulo prevented me from venturing out with the camera. Fortunately sometimes the shots come to you and this one was taken through the window of my hotel room as the storm raged outside. I didn't pack my tripod as I wasn't expecting to need it but improvising with a pillow seemed to do the trick.

Using a small aperture (F22.0) allowed me to keep the shutter open for longer to capture the lightning. It also brought the raindrops on the window into sharp focus adding a sense of atmosphere to the shot.

Kit
Nikon D300
Sigma 10-20 F4.0-5.6
Hanhel Giga T Pro II Release

Exif
ISO 100 - F22.0 - 1/10 Second

Press L to view on Black
Press F to Favourite

Comments and Criticism Welcome

Three Shires Head gets its name from the meeting of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. The actual point is where four packhorse trails meet. The falls are on the River Dane as it passes through the Axe Edge Moor. The packhorse bridge was used to transport silk from nearby Hollinsclough to the mills of Macclesfield. During the 19th century, the site was used by lawbreakers as a meeting place. Its popularity was down to the ability to easily move into a different county where the police hunting them had no juristiction.

Directions: www.macclesfieldrspb.org.uk/naturesites/threeshires/three...
More info:

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Shire_Head

www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/panniers-pool-and-three-shir...

Kit
Nikon D300
Sigma 10-20 F4.0-5.6
Hanhel Giga T Pro II Release
Manfrotto 190XPROB + RC2 Head
Circular Polariser
0.2 ND Soft Grad

Exif
ISO 200
F11.0
30" Exposure

Press L to view on Black
Press F to Favourite

Comments and Criticism Welcome

Towering 237ft (72.5m) above the crowded streets of Delhi, Qutb Minar
(pronounced ku-tab min-ar) instils wonder and awe in those who have
seen it over the past 800 years. The Islamic Minar which means axis or
staff was started in 1199 by Qutbuddin Aibak and marks the notable
beginning of Arabic influence on the subcontinents existing Hindu
architecture.

Qutb Minar sits within the Qutb Complex which incorporates the
Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque as well as several tombs and a second but
unfinished Minar from a later dynasty. For those visiting Delhi, the
Qutb Complex is easily accessible and a modest 250 Rupees ($5 / £3.50)
grants access for the day. There are 379 steps but owing to a series
of accidents in the 1980's, visitors are no longer permitted to climb
the Minar.

Up until the end of the 12th century AD, most of the Indian
subcontinent was ruled by successive dynasties of Hindu rulers, the
Tomars and the Chauhans being the later. In 1192, Muhammed of Ghur
rode down from the Hindu Kush (in present day Afghanistan) with a
horde of Afghan warriors and seized power from the Chauhan King
Prithviraja II. Qutbuddin Aibak, Muhammed's right hand man, remained
in Delhi as Viceroy and oversaw the early construction of the Qutb
Complex. When Muhammed died in 1206, Aibak proclaimed himself Sultan
of Delhi and the Slave King dynasty was born.

Aibak stated construction of Qutb Minar in 1199 as a way of
symbolising the religion of Islam and encouraging the faithful who we
a long way from home. He also constructed other parts of the Qutb
Complex but the Minar was not finished within his lifetime. The final
three stories of the Minar were competed by Aibak's successor and son
in law Iltutmish during his reign of 1210-1236. Over the Minar's
eight-hundred year history various additions and repairs have been
made. For instance in 1368 The tower was struck by lightening which
destroyed the top storey. Sultan Firoz Shah Tuqluq repaired the Minar
and added the distinctive two stories of white marble which contrasts
pleasantly with the red sandstone forming the base. At the same time
Tuqluq also added a Cupola at the top which was subsequently destroyed
during an earthquake in 1803. This time the repairs were undertaken by
Major Robert Smith of the Royal Engineers and he completed his work in
1829 adding a Bengal style Chattri to the top of the tower.
Unfortunately, his work was to be in vein as in 1848 the then Viceroy;
Lord Hardinge had it removed and remarked that it sat ill with the
architecture of the rest of the tower. It now sits in the grounds and
is affectionately known as Smith's Folly.

The Qutb Complex, while an early example of Islamic architecture on
the subcontinent, also displays Hindu influence. The artisans who
built the complex were local Hindus and took time to perfect
techniques previously only seen in the Arab world. However, it is not
only the differing styles on display here but also the materials used.
The Arab Ghur conquerors despoiled Hindu temples and palaces and it
was these stones that were used to build early mosques and tombs. An
example of this can be found in the Qutb Complex at the
Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. One of the oldest mosques in India, it was
constructed almost entirely from the remains of twenty seven Hindu and
Jain temples raised by the invading armies.

The series of arches in front of the Minar are known as a screen. This
screen was built by Qutbuddin Aibak and was then extended by Iltutmish
in the 13th century and then again by Alauddin Khalji some seventy
five years later. Only the latest additions can be see today. The
central screen includes an arch 16m high and 6.7m across with two
similar but slightly smaller arches to the side. In the photograph
Qutb Minar is framed by the only surviving arch, the right hand lesser
arch. Aibak modelled the design for his arches on the screen in front
of the Prophets Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabic but the was it was
constructed tells the story of the Hindu artisans and their endeavours
to meet the requirements of their Arabic rulers. Pre 12th century,
Hindu architecture was trabeate meaning gaps were bridged with beams
and lintels mainly constructed from dressed stone. The Arabic style on
the other hand was quite different, using arches and domes often
constructed from bricks and mortar. The arches at the Qutb complex are
described as being corbelled, meaning the stones are laid horizontally
instead of the traditional Roman and later Arabic keystone arch in
which wedge shaped stones are laid vertically.

References; Rough Guide to India, Qutb Minar & Adjoining Monuments (Archaeological Survey of India)

Looking to the West from one of the many secluded coves on Holy Island. Connected to Anglesey by two road links, Holy Island comprises marsh land, beaches and Holy Mountain at 722 feet. The busy ferry port of Holyhead is nearby but most of the island remains a haven for wildlife and there are numerous protected and historic religous sites.

Kit

Nikon D40x
Sigma 10-20mm F4.0-5.6
Circular Polarizer
ND4
ND2 Soft Grad

South Stack Lighthouse guards the North Western tip of Holy Island, Anglesey. It was built in 1808/09 by Mr Daniel Alexandra (engineer) and Joseph Nelson (builder) and although now automated it remains a fully functional lighthouse. Sheer cliffs surrounding the lighthouse are home to Razorbills, Giullemots and even Puffins at certain times of the year. The whole site is now owned and run by the RSPB.

Kit

Nikon D40x
Sigma 10-20mm F4.0-5.6
Circular Polarizer
ND2 Soft Grad