Wojciech Jarosz Photography

Hagia Sophia I

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:00 +0100

View of the chandeliers and dome of the Hagia Sophia. The structure that currently stands was first built around 537 CE. It was originally an Orthodox patriarchal basilica, then a mosque, and now a museum. The building contains a great mixture of elements from the various roles it had over the years, mixing both Islamic and Christian themes.

This is a hand-held HDR merged from three exposures.

Blue Mosque at Twilight II

Wed, 16 May 2012 17:00 +0100

Last of the Blue Mosque shots. HDR merged from three exposures.

Blue Mosque at Twilight

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00 +0100

Another view of the Blue Mosque, taken about an hour after the previous photo. This is an HDR merged from three exposures. Though this was not intentional, I was quite pleased how the motion of the clouds leads the eye toward (or out from) the mosque.

Blue Mosque at Sunset

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:40 +0100

Sorry for the lack of posts. Things have been rather busy and I haven't had much time to shoot or process photos. A have a few lined up now.

Last month we went for a short vacation to Turkey. This is a view of the Blue Mosque taken during our sunset dinner on the roof terrace of the Seven Hills Hotel. The food was only ok (the restaurant was clearly getting customers based on the view and not the food), but we mainly went there for a nice and relaxing view during sunset.

Hong Kong Skyline from Victoria Peak II

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:10 +0100

Hong Kong skyscrapers, Victoria Harbor, and Kowloon as viewed from atop the Peak. HDR merged from three exposures.

Hong Kong Skyline from Victoria Peak I

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:49 +0100

The day after the previous photo, we went up to Victoria Peak to see the skyline from the other direction. We had some good sushi while we waited for the sun to go down and were then treated to this view of the city. This was taken from the top of the observation deck of the Peak Tower, which is outdoors and (surprise) really cold and windy in December. This view really reminded me of Blade Runner.

HDR photo merged from three exposures.

Note to travelers/photographers: The visit to the peak was well worth it for the view (and sushi). However, you have to pay to go up to the observation deck, and since the view is nearly identical as from the free area just outside the tower I can't say that I would recommend the extra cost. Also, in the free area you don't have to deal with the glass barrier which prevents you from falling/jumping off.

Hong Kong Skyline from Kawloon

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:10 +0100

A view of the Hong Kong skyline and Victoria Harbor from the Star Ferry terminal on Kawloon. In person the skyline really feels immense, and a picture just can't do it justice. This is an HDR panorama merged from 12 exposures.

Tian Tan Buddha III

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:08 +0100

View of the back-lit Tian Tan Buddha from the base of the 34 meter-tall statue.

Tian Tan Buddha II

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:45 +0100

An unobstructed view of the giant Tian Tan Buddha from further up the stairs leading to the base.

Tian Tan Buddha I

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:05 +0100

Back in December, while at SIGGRAPH Asia in Hong Kong, we took the opportunity to visit the Tian Tan Buddha, the largest seated bronze buddha in the world — seen from the bottom of the 268-step climb leading up to the base.