Very Old Pyramid Photo, a photo from Giza, Delta

Photographer's Note

So, what does the title mean here--is it a pyramid photo that's very old, or photo showing a very old pyramid? Thanks to Photoshop, we can have it both ways. (Or even--gasp--fake it. Not that I would ever...um...do such a thing.) After all, with subject matter that's been photographed as much as the pyramids, one has to do something besides a standard postcard shot.

OK, then, this is...uh... Howard Carter's first snapshot of the pyramids, from his arrival in Egypt in 1891. Of course, there were no digital cameras or Photoshop then so he had to use a very large abacus. A simple "Levels" adjustment with the abacus could take several hours, followed by several more hours to add sepia toning, which, as we know, was "de rigeur" for all photos in 1891. ;-)

But seriously...the cap on the pyramid is a white "Tura" limestone casing, cut to provide a smooth outer slope. Originally the pyramids were entirely covered in this, and apparently they were rather shiny in the sun. But the casing was taken over the centuries for use as building materials, particularly after the 13th century when an earthquake loosened more of it. Only the Pyramid of Khefren now has any remaining.

alainh, devimeuxbe, linask, tehanu_f, xavshot, bostankorkulugu, BennyV, noborders ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

etlerl (603) 2008-09-04 8:05

Hello Ken,
I suppose the pyramids have not changed a lot in the past 100 years. So thanks for showing us a century-old postcard...
Yes, it is difficult to show a unique shot of a well-known and often-photographed subject but now you made one.
Greetings,
etlerl

Flavia (10352) 2008-09-04 8:34

Hi Ken,

I thought it was a picture you got from your archives! I love the color treatment. It work very well to create the mood, nice POV and compo.

Regards,

Flavia

maria (3288) 2008-09-04 8:40

Hi Ken,
Well executed and I very much believe that your pp skills managed to achieve that 'very old pyramid photo' look. Love it.
Even that 'centred' position like in the old good times!
Regards,
Maria

alainh (33209) 2008-09-04 8:40

hello Ken
one of the most famous place of our planet !!
i think your post-processing is the best ! it's seems an old picture.
very good work
have a nice day Ken
alain

devimeuxbe (58557) 2008-09-04 9:52

Hi Ken
you done an interesting work to get this old aspect. Very good work and interesting result.
Bertrand

linask (2930) 2008-09-04 9:55

Very good processing - it really looks like an old photo.
However, by looking close it's possible to see one side effect of digital age processing - posterization in the sky especially on the left side of pyramid. I think some artificial "film grain" added to the sky would hide that.

Linas

tehanu_f (6896) 2008-09-04 10:15

Sepia tones are very becoming to this shot, giving the photo an old feel. It really looks like Carter's! :)))

Cormac (26565) 2008-09-04 10:15

Hi Ken, it's good to see that you are still around and actively posting here. I like this shot very much. It's simple, "clean" composition without a lot of clutter shows the subject well, and that small structure in the foreground adds an important element of depth to this. Great processing too, with a look that really suits the subject, being old. It's hard to believe this thing has been around so long - it was already ancient in the days of the Roman Empire. Nice work!

xavshot (69835) 2008-09-04 11:23

Bonsoir Ken
j'aime bien cette "vieille" photo de quelques mois de cette "jeune" pyramide. Tu as fait ressortir un bel effet retro à ta photo ; j'aime beaucoup les teintes "de rigueur" de ce n&b. Bien joué.
Xavier

Nolme (6829) 2008-09-04 11:53

ce cliché en noir et blanc nous renvoie au début de la photographie et même de l'archéologie. C'est un endroit saturé de lumière et c'est une excellente idée de l'avoir traité ainsi.
Bien vue
Marie

chris04stop (6805) 2008-09-04 17:12

This is a strong pic, Kan! I love it. So an impressive one. But: overall because I am SURE, but SURE, I had a previous life there, just at the time of Ramesse the second. Oh, IF I AM SURE!.Okay...okay.. I am crazy. Take care...ciao,
Anna Paola

bostankorkulugu (42832) 2008-09-04 22:06

Very Good Pyramid Photo... a timeless one indeed:)... missing a camel though>:P...

cheers ken...

korkut

Polonaise (5802) 2008-09-05 5:28

On one thing you have to agree with me, Ken...
They knew how to build their houses those days, eh ?
I bet ya' they didn't have to repair the roof every couple of years and unclog the clogged drainage once in a while !
We should have something like today, but the inferiority of today's technology won't allow us to build as solidly as they did in the past.
Then, and only then we would be able to say: Hey... Osama B.L.... Try THIS...!!!

.....................
Most wonderfully finished photograph one can imagine...
Dear Ken... I'm not joking... This is really good and your skills with PS can't be deny.

..................

To lazy to find out on my own: What is that brighter cap on the top of the pyramid ?
Through all my life I was wondering about, and never got any explanation about it...There is for sure some writing somewhere about that curioso up there, but...???
As I said: To lazy to browse the books or Internet...

Once more, bro - I love it immensely

g
.......

BennyV (32570) 2008-09-05 11:12

Hello Ken,

OK, I must have seen the pyramids zillions time before, so why does this shot still attract my attention? Is it the pyramids or the shot? Probably both... Timeless stuff!

Love your witty note & thanks for stopping by at my gallery while I was out.

Benny

noborders (1010) 2008-09-06 23:48

I am totally in love with this photo, its "antique" aspect does not seem to be fake or kitch and it's perfect for this kind of monuments !
You had probably to think a lot to find an occasion and the best POV for this shot with nobody around in the middle of summer holidays, but in this case (for once), I think that it's just great not to see anybody around, so the old aspect works : the foreign visitor, in awe in front of the splendor and majesty, aiming at it and putting it right in the middle of the frame - brilliant !
Text is also very enjoyable to read,
Bravo,
Cath.