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7th Wonder of the World


7th Wonder of the World
Photo Information
Copyright: Robert Calve (perryhooter) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2792 W: 883 N: 6063] (27341)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-16
Categories: Architecture, Event, Mood
Camera: Canon Powershot Pro 1
Exposure: f/4, 1/250 seconds
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Mexico 2009
Theme(s): Your favorite Images II, our wonderful world [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-05-29 19:48
Viewed: 1446
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Shooting Time 15:29:51

We are back in Chichén Itzá. Seconds before I shot this shot , a young couple showed up write in front of me as they did not pay attention, since they were focussed exploring there map. In a way, they were begging me to include them in my composition. So I figured, I may as well add them while they are there....

The photo was originally a vertical shot, since I captured the stone which was at their feet.It was describing the temple. But after correcting the tilt and the distortion , the result image was too narrow to my taste. I converted it to a more panoramic format.

From Wikipedia.

Dominating the center of Chichén is the Temple of Kukulkan (the Maya name for Quetzalcoatl), often referred to as "El Castillo" (the castle). This step pyramid has a ground plan of square terraces with stairways up each of the 4 sides to the temple on top. On the Spring and Autumn equinox, at the rising and setting of the sun, the corner of the structure casts a shadow in the shape of a plumed serpent - Kukulcan, or Quetzalcoatl - along the west side of the north staircase. On these two days, the shadows from the corner tiers slither down the northern side of the pyramid with the sun's movement to the serpent's head at the base.

Mesoamerican cultures periodically built larger pyramids atop older ones, and this is one such example. In the mid 1930s, the Mexican government sponsored an excavation into El Castillo. After several false starts, they discovered a staircase under the north side of the pyramid. By digging from the top, they found another temple buried below the current one. Inside the temple chamber was a Chac Mool statue and a throne in the shape of jaguar, painted red with spots made of inlaid jade.

The Mexican government excavated a tunnel from the base of the north staircase, up the earlier pyramid’s stairway to the hidden temple, and opened it to tourists. In 2006, INAH closed the throne room to the public.

On July 7, 2007, the site was indicated like one of the seven new wonders of the world after a vote organized by New Seven Wonders Foundation.
shaukatmi, Athila, juyona, chendis, harpya, shelbeesmom, lilimih33, ramon has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To shelbeesmom: Hello Lindaperryhooter 1 05-30 11:04
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi, Robert. This is a nice capture of this architectural wonder. The clear blue cool sky contrasting with subdued warm colors of the temple and the ground. the sharpness of the image as well of the couple is amazing. The people in the middle ground give an idea of the scale of this monument. The note is very informative. Cheers and TFS.

Hi Robert,

Another great shot! I like how they are looking at the travel booklet learning about the ruin. Also, the fact that both are wearing straw hats makes the photo interesting too. Great having all the people to show perspective of the size of this place. Looks like gorgeous weather too! :) Lisa

  • Great 
  • Athila Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 169 W: 135 N: 396] (1767)
  • [2009-05-29 21:32]

Salut Robert,

Quel magnifique région du monde que le pays des mayas. J'ai visité ces ruines durant la même période que ma photo de plongée (1985) et j'ai des diapos qui dorment quelque part dans une boite. Nous avions prévu les revisiter moi en ma compagne avec mon Nikon D300 en mars dernier, mais l'ironie du sort a voulu que ma compagne ait un anévrisme cervical au début de nos vacances. Ce sera pour un prochain voyage.

Fini de parler de moi, très belle capture que tu nous présente ici. Ce Powershot Pro 1 fait vraiment du beau travail. Mais le mérite n'est pas juste dans l'appareil, bien au contraire. La compostion est très bien étudiée, j'aime bien le couple en avant plan consultant la brochure. Ils donnent une belle profondeur à l'image et démontrent l'intérêt touristique du site. La netteté est un peu juste sur le monument, mais f/4 ne permet pas d'avoir le monument et le couple au foyer en même temps. Je comprends ici que le couple est le sujet principal et que la pyramide est un sujet secondaire. L'exposition est parfaite. Bref une photo digne d'une brochure touristique. Compliments

Alain

I really like the way your framing gives this a movie-still feeling. Great composition, fantastic colours in the sky.
Rew

  • Great 
  • juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2634 W: 1 N: 1253] (15397)
  • [2009-05-30 0:12]

Hola Robert,
realmente magnífico tu trabajo...
delicioso pov y detalles,
fino pov y presentación.
saludos y muchas felicidades.

Hi Robert!
wonderful light and architecture with nice colors
i really like the couple here specially they have same hats
grate shot and well framed
can be a grate advertisement for tourism in Mexico:)

Regards,
Oana

  • Great 
  • linus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1474 W: 10 N: 738] (10735)
  • [2009-05-30 5:36]

Hi Robert,
Yes, a very nice photo of this special place. I guess you had good weather as we did last December. Yucatan and Mayan Reviera are such awsome places, I can't wait to get back.
Sunil

Ciao Robert


Nice angle and visual!
Yeah, sure it had to be classified
this vote, as my Redeemer Christ in Rio!
Approved the idea of no longer go up in your stairs,
so will further preserve this monument.
Tight framing works well, and the colors are
rich and natural ...

Greetings,

Sergio

Interesting shot Robert! No DOF!...Amazing how you do that! Very cool shot, very nice light on the couple! Your clarity is perfect here! What a grand place!
B-)
Linda

Hello Robert!
Beautiful your point of view with the two tourists in front and the pyramid in background, all in focus.
The sky is a bit noisy in my monitor, but I don't care to much, the composition is good!
Best regards!
Lili

  • Great 
  • korbee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1364 W: 0 N: 1661] (13495)
  • [2009-05-31 11:56]

This one i like very much Robert,it reminds me a bit to 1960-70s style of tourist advertising,the two studying hatted tourists on the right are a perfect cliche and makink the picture very funny to see.

Nice work !

jan

  • Great 
  • ramon Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 270 W: 20 N: 664] (3219)
  • [2009-06-02 9:45]

Hi Robert,

Brilliant colours, the couple in the FG adds depth
and perspective. Impressive sharpness FG to BG, very well composed shot the elements is well placed.

TFS
Ramon

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