Kept Light» Ayasofya

Hagia Sophia Experience

A. Cemal Ekin — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:01:09 +0000

If you have visited this site a few times you probably know about my experience in the dome of Hagia Sophia. I have written a few post about it, presented photographs and videos, issued a limited edition folio, and had three photography exhibits featuring the unseen corners of the Great Church. In my continuing efforts to share this experience and the magnificent views of this monument I have prepared a 28-page magazine/expanded catalog that includes all the photographs in the exhibits and a written narrative of my experience. It is available from MagCloud using on-demand printing. You can preview and purchase the magazine on the MagCloud site or here at KeptLight.com store. I will sign the copies purchased here.

The Hagia Sophia Experience

This 28-page magazine contains all the photographs on display at three exhibits of the same show in Cleveland, Providence, Boston; Touching The History; Photographs From The Dome Of Hagia Sophia.

Hagia Sophia, a new mosaic unveiled

A. Cemal Ekin — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:01:16 +0000

I read in a Turkish newspaper, Aksam, that one of the mosaics in Hagia Sophia was cleaned to reveal the face of the angel Seraphim. According to the news article, the mosaic has been covered for about 160 years. Possibly because of this, the pieces of the mosaic are preserved exceptionally well. This is exciting news for art historians and art lovers around the world. It is particularly exciting for me as I was probably within touching distance from the beautiful face when I was up on the scaffolding a month ago.

As soon as I saw the photograph of the mosaic I thought of photographic techniques that allow to photograph a 360-degree picture of a human head spread on two dimensional surface. In time, perhaps I will try to wrap this mosaic photograph on a 3-D head to see how well it will map. The following is an example of such a photograph. (Original is at Panocamera.com)

From the Roof of Hagia Sophia

A. Cemal Ekin — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:04:13 +0000

Earlier, I posted a slide show consisting of the photographs I took inside Hagia Sophia. Since then, I have created a second slide show, this time featuring the photographs taken from the roof of Hagia Sophia. You will see the Blue Mosque, the old hippodrome, the obelisks on one side; and Hagia Eirene and the Topkapi Palace on the other. In between, you will see the Marmara Sea and a view of Istanbul not many has seen before.

I walked a narrow ledge on the roof, probably not wider than 4 feet, to go from the front side to the back side so that I could see Hagia Eirene and Topkapi Palace. Making that walk with no protection was not the smartest thing I have ever done! But, the view on the other side was worth it (now that I made it back in one piece!)

I hope you enjoy the show.

View the Istanbul Beneath My Wings Slide Show

Hagia Sophia: A Short Video

A. Cemal Ekin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:03:56 +0000

I posted some of the photographs I took in, around, and from the dome of Hagia Sophia earlier. I wanted to provide an interpretation that evoked The Great Church in use; so I created a short video that is set to Byzantine Chant. I watched it a few times with great awe of the structure that remained the largest church in the world for over a millennium.

Here is the video, move your mouse over it, click on the start at the center of the image, and enjoy the music and one of the monuments of humanity.

View the Touching The History Slide Show

Hagia Sophia, III: View from the roof

A. Cemal Ekin — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:59:13 +0000

From a small trap door they made under one of the large windows between the ribs of the great dome of Hagia Sophia we stepped out to face a magnificent view of the area. As I stepped out, I was looking at the Blue Mosque at the level of its minarets and I could see the Sultanahmet district, the hippodrome, the Marmara Sea, and beyond. The view was breathtaking. You will see a panoramic view that will give you an idea of what hit me. I felt like creating a section of it in the style of gravure printing and hand coloring as a a tribute to the artists who might have painted from this angle centuries ago.

Looking around, you will see many domes extending from Hagia Sophia, its minarets, ornaments that adorn the tops of domes and minarets glittering in the sun. The weather was great, sunny but with a decent cloud cover so soften the light. Without the clouds, most of the photographs would have been far too contrasty as we stepped outside probably around 1:30-2:00 pm in June. Now, that’s strong sun.

There were crows flying all around, some perched on the edges of the buttresses of the church as if to pose for me. They also flew in great number around one of the minarets. Their numbers would increase or decrease as if controlled by some trigger event. When I saw them flying all around, the feeling of the size of the flock is much greater than what a single photograph may record at high speed. The two photographs of the crows flying around the minaret is the result of combining several photographs taken in succession. But the feeling of a large number of crows is very real and true to what I felt at the time.

After I photographed on the side facing the Blue Mosque for about an hour or so, Erdinc asked Reha and I if we would like to walk to the other side. Reha passed the opportunity knowing the passage was a narrow roof-line. I did not want to miss the opportunity to see what the other side offered and accepted the challenge. You will see the roof section I walked to get to the other side. Two people like me would find it difficult to walk side-by-side there. The view from there overlooked the fountain outside the great entrance of the Topkapi Palace.

The view was equally breathtaking from that side, seeing Hagia Irene and Topkapi Palace behind extending to the sea. I photographed there for a while and then Erdinc walking in front and me looking straight at him, I walked back to where we started. All good things must come to an end, so several hours after we entered the church, we stepped inside and took the elevator down. Now, take a look at what I experienced from the roof of Hagia Sophia. What a thrilling experience!