Phyllis Peterson

May 2025 - Karnak at Night

About the Image(s)

Title: Karnak at Night
Camera: iPhone 14
Camera Settings: 1/35 sec, aperture: F/2.4, ISO: 1000
Lighting: Low sunlight and artificial lighting
Post-processing: Lightroom edits with adjustment to lights, blacks, clarity and detail.
No filter or tripod

The image was taken 2 weeks ago on my recent trip to Egypt. One of the first days in Luxor we toured the ancient temple complex along the riverbank.

I've always liked Egyptian history and this was a wonderful experience. The temple construction began in the 16th century BC and continued for 1300 years.
Surrounding the temple entrance were statues.

It was difficult getting the entire building in the frame if photographed at close range.
This image is taken from the road leading to the temple which is lined with statues.

This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted

David Somali-Chow

Your timing was good. The sky was still slightly lit up, and the lights were on. The walkway and the gravel rocks serve as the leading line toward the temple, with the repeating pattern of the lion statues on the left.
Posted: 05/10/2025 23:31:57

Phyllis Peterson

Thanks! Posted: 05/18/2025 17:57:41

Pinaki Sarkar

The pathway framed by illuminated sphinx statues on both sides creates a strong visual guide, leading your gaze directly to the grand temple. The alignment of elements-statues, pathway, temple, and even the scattered palm trees-creates a balanced scene that is both orderly and subtly dramatic. The use of leading lines makes the image feel deep and expansive, as if you're being welcomed into a historical narrative.

Experimenting with angular perspectives-perhaps a more proportional one might have enhanced the image. Additionally, a slight adjustment in contrast might further delineate the ancient textures, bringing forward the intricate details of the temple's stonework.

Posted: 05/13/2025 21:12:24

Phyllis Peterson

Thanks for the suggestion of looking at a proportional perspective. I tried that and couldn't get any of the side statues to show up in the frame. That's why I moved to the left. Posted: 05/18/2025 17:59:50

Carolyn Todd-Larson

You set a mood here with all the lights leading to the temple. The image is well done. I might select the two people walking on the right and lighten the shadows on them. They would add perspective I think to the scene. Posted: 05/17/2025 20:25:56

Phyllis Peterson

Thanks, I'll try that. Posted: 05/18/2025 18:00:04

John Larson

You have done an excellent job of capturing the moody aspect of the lighting. You may have not not been able to get any closer, but I would like to see you get closer to the temple so we could see more of its detail. Posted: 05/20/2025 08:10:28

Laurie Bergner

I really like this image and I am intrigued by it. The lighting is really great. I played around with the cropping because I think the wonderful statues and the temple in the background would show up more if you cropped from both sides. I also cropped out some of the sky, which I think Doesn't really add to the image. What do you think? Posted: 05/28/2025 15:07:53

Tom Tauber

I like this crop. Better balance. Posted: 05/28/2025 16:58:25

Phyllis Peterson

I like the crop you made. It emphasizes what is most important in the image.
Thanks! Posted: 05/30/2025 10:50:21

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