Alan Lichtenstein, QPSA  

Untitled by Alan Lichtenstein, QPSA

June 2026 - Untitled

About the Image(s)

Samarkand, Uzbekistan has its Registan, an impressive collection of mosques and madrassas that served as the crossroads of many of the trade routes that are commonly called the silk road. Overlooked is the military genius, Temur, who built a virtual empire during his life. Called ‘Tamerlane” by western writers is a slurring of the name “Tamir the Lame,” because he was indeed lame due to war injuries. He had his palace as Samarkand. What is left is shown in the image. The statue was added long after Temur passed away so visitors could know what the ruins they were looking at once were.

Gear: Olympus E-500, Zuiko 18-180 mm opened to 95 mm
Data: ISO 100, f 8, 1/400 sec.
Metering: Pattern
White balance: Auto
EV = 0
Dave: April 2, 2013

4 comments posted

Dr. Isaac Vaisman   Dr. Isaac Vaisman
Alan, interesting location for sure. Thank you for the history of the site. First time I hear this name. Obviously it was not taught in Universal History. I have a couple of questions for you, why did you include those amputated people in the foreground, you could have come closer and avoid them, and second why is te statue of Amir Temur soft ? The presence of the people in tha background is appropriate, and gives scale.   Posted: 06/02/2026 18:39:44
Alan Lichtenstein   Alan Lichtenstein
Isaac, your criticism is well-taken. I don't recall the circumstances under which I created the image, as it was so long ago, but I do agree. I suppose I could have moved up between the boy and girl and created the image without having the on-lookers in the foreground.   Posted: 06/03/2026 14:38:21
Tom Tauber   Tom Tauber
Alan, if I remember correctly this place is a drive away from Samarkand. Google: "Ak-Saray Palace (Shakhrisabz): Located about 50 miles south of Samarkand, this was his legendary summer palace. Today, only the colossal, brightly-tiled iwan gateway arches (standing 20-30 meters high) survive. A towering 13-meter monument of Tamerlane standing upright is located on the palace grounds. It is perfectly framed by the massive portal ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace."

A great memory of mine is that I bribed the guard at Temur's mausoleum in Samarkand to let me in after all the tourists left and I was alone inside for an hour photographing this amazing place. As to the image, same comments as Isaac's.   Posted: 06/06/2026 14:29:15
Comment Image
Alan Lichtenstein   Alan Lichtenstein
Is that how you got that great picture of the Alhambra you posted to our group some time ago with nobody there <G>?   Posted: 06/06/2026 15:21:49

 

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