Sony A7R, lens Sony FE 16-35mm F4 @ 24mm, 10 sec, f/14, ISO 1
In 2015, during the thaw over the negotiations of the nuclear deal., my wife and I joined a twelve-day tour of Iran by the World Affairs Council. Isfahan is an exceptionally beautiful city, with mosques and other buildings covered in ceramic tile with geometric patterns. The Zayandeh River is normally dry most of the year since its water has been diverted for agriculture. Luckily, there was flowing water when we were there. I did something that nowadays I would be hesitant to do: I left the group at dinner, took my cameras and tripod, and walked down to the river by myself to photograph. There were many people enjoying the warm evening, and they were welcoming and friendly. Young people addressed me to practice their English. Nevertheless, if a cop had showed up…
This round’s discussion is now closed! 9 comments posted
Phyllis Peterson
How impressive it must have been to be standing there in the evening and viewing the long line of lighted arches. I like that you used a long exposure to smooth the water. Well done. I like the story too. Posted: 03/09/2025 12:35:26
Pinaki Sarkar
I read your story, very interesting. Excellent and very technically competent photo. I would have cropped a bit from the top to dramatize the line of arches.
I wish I could have gone to Iran to see the country, from what I read such a great civilization with so much of elegant culture. Unfortunately, today's world is not at peace with itself.
Lennon's lines from the song 'Imagine'...
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You
Imagine all the people
Livin' life in peace
You
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one Posted: 03/16/2025 15:09:03
Tom Tauber
Amen Posted: 03/18/2025 15:36:59
Carolyn Todd-Larson
Very nice image. It's nice that you caught people in the arches as well. What a lucky trip for you and your wife! Posted: 03/23/2025 17:22:44
Carolyn Todd-Larson
PS This would be a good one for the "Where in the World" feature in the PTD newsletter. Posted: 03/23/2025 17:23:12
Laurie Bergner
A beautiful image, with great perspective and leading lines, and the light is just wonderful. The slow shutter speed means that the people under the bridge and in the arches moved a little- I think I would like to see how the picture looked. If you brought out the people under the bridge just a little. I think the people are interesting in the picture. Lucky you too have found a window to visit Iran. I've always wanted to go there, but didn't go during that window and who knows if they'll be another one for a long time. I have heard the people are super friendly to us. Such an interesting country. Posted: 03/23/2025 18:03:32
John Larson
Very nice image and I like the long exposure to "smooth" out the water. If it were my image I would crop off about 1/3 of the image on the left. This would give more emphasis to the part on the right which shows people in the image. Posted: 03/23/2025 20:07:04
Tom Tauber
I entered it into competition cropped as you suggested. For the purpose of this group, I wanted to show the bridge in its entirety. Posted: 03/23/2025 22:15:00
David Stout
(Group 3)
I am seeing your cropped version in my mind`s eye Tom, and you have an excellent PT image there. It is a tragedy that so many counties and their cultures are now "out of bounds", I would love to return to Burma, and Isfahan WAS on my bucket list! Posted: 03/25/2025 06:59:53
