Motifs of Hijaz Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Tribal Motifs of Hijaz...

"Hijaz, the blessed land of Arabia, is the provenance of Islam's Divine revelation and the message of Prophet Muhammad. These niches were inspired by the motifs and colours incorporated into the weaving of rugs and fabrics traditionally found in the region of Arabia which was on the main caravan trade route. The designs are distinctive with strong colours in striking counterpoint to the vast empty and barren landscapes and the fertile highlands and wadis. Friezes, borders and repeat patterns carry motifs based on the dynamic square, zigzag returns and triangles. Fertility and life giving signs adorn horse and camel trappings, saddles, traditional dress, tent bands and decorative borders." ...from the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, capital of Oman.

These friezes were lining the inner courtyard of the mosque down a walkway of white marble with smaller rooms for different purposes in the cleansing of one's body and spirit before entering the mosque.

I have photos of about twenty different friezes but I thought these came out the best. I really have no other good photos from Oman, so this will probably be my last, but I can only hope to go back one day and would recommend this surprisingly exotic, traditional yet modern country for anyone interested in the Arabia.

For anyone interested in the mosque and more info about the country here is a link to my Oman folder:

Oman

This one is more for the info than being technically good photos and I really am not too crazy about pano's but I also wanted to post a few of these without having each one stand on it's own.

Thanks for any comments or critiques.
John

Bruno40, japiey, axiotea, robertosalguero, edytungkal, jjcordier, gabrielpat, shevchenko, JPlumb, andante, asival, Liekje, sarahnatalie trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Bruno40 (6442) 2007-08-06 22:02

John,
Nice and interesting photo. The grouping of several friezes worked well. It is quite a good idea for other topics as well.
Good work, nice and interetsing note.
TFS
Jorge

japiey (9497) 2007-08-06 22:12

Hi John.

ONE IS BETTER THAN MANY... thank you, first, for this beautifull share.

EXCELLENT PRESENTATION.
Great work. Usefull study.
WELL DONE.

jean paul

axiotea (16235) 2007-08-06 22:28

Hi John
I like the way you have presented the niches with their beautiful patterns, colors and fine sharpness. An eye catcher!
Thanks for the large version and note.
Cheers
Marilyn

robertosalguero (110) 2007-08-06 22:41

Beautiful and colourful details. I like the way you framed all five friezes in one long image so we can see the different patterns. I think you had a good idea to show this type of cultural details and composed the image with clarity and good definition. Thanks John.

Roberto

edytungkal (4519) 2007-08-06 22:44

Hello John,
Very well composed picture with five beautiful motifs in one frame. I saw more clearly the beautiful details on large version. The colours and sharpness are very well. Nice one, John
Thanks :-)

daniel

mpetrovic (1479) 2007-08-06 23:45

great idea for the photo
this is one of those which really approve TE like a site for learning about the world through photography! loved it

marko

jjcordier (25120) 2007-08-07 0:00

Belle idée pour nous présenter quelques uns de ces très beaux motifs. Chaque image est de très belle qualité.
Amicalement
JJ

gabrielpat (6553) 2007-08-07 0:27

hi Jhon,
Good idea and nice realisation.very graphical with the good scale and colors.

Dpbours (220) 2007-08-07 4:41

Hi John,

That is a nice way to close your series! I like to work on compositions like these as well, but I normally do not find the patience ;-).
For me the nicest shot in the series was 'the fish'. A shot with colour and a bit of fun in it. The others are great as well, but that was surely my favourite!

Greetings, Dennis

rminkow (1566) 2007-08-07 6:47

Hi John..Your composition and clarity is so consistent. This shot is well set up with the frames. Nice creative work.

Roger

batalay (21140) 2007-08-07 13:37

Hello John,

This is an excellent presentation of the motifs — in the form of a row matrix — which I believe is an effective way to contrast and compare. The colors and definition are excellent, and the note highly informative. Yov've created a genuinely attractive mat in which to place the separate motifs. Regarding the presentation of five motifs, I understand interior decorators always recommend odd numbers — one, three or five. Accordingly, you've succeeded there as well, either consciously or intuitively.

Warm regards,
Bulent

claire526 (1261) 2007-08-07 18:44

Hi John,
A well balanced image. A very interesting presentation. Great colors and subject.
Cheers,
Claire

shevchenko (10030) 2007-08-07 19:16

Hi John,
Creative to put these five friees into a final image to show us here, good composition of the friezes in difference color and pattern, you are patient to shoot for the twenty difference friezes, hope you can show the balance in future.
Have a nice day.
Ally

JPlumb (3153) 2007-08-07 22:21

Hi John, I like how you've pulled these friezes together into one presentation. This actually works quite well in a panoramic format, especially when you go to the large post. In the large post we can see the great detail and colour. Very nicely shot, excellent presentation.

Thanks, John

mphotographies (1976) 2007-08-07 23:41

Hey John,

I like the pattern it creates, these friezes suggests an ordered arrangement, a well precised elevation of layout showing different motifs and array of intricate details. Interesting presentation dude!

Cheers!

Jom

woladorsky (804) 2007-08-08 4:31

Cheers John!!

Great presentation of doors, you should sell it to a door magazine!!

See ya

Rolando

asival (4285) 2007-08-11 0:04

Hi John

I really like the presentation here, very good job with the perspective, I know hoe hard it could be… it is beautiful

TFS

Assi

sothy81 (8540) 2007-08-15 11:51

What a nice capture here with all kinds of windows. Very beautiful with the colors. You have the eye for great architecture. Well done. Sothy

miumiu (3866) 2007-08-28 1:44

Hello John!
Very beautiful details and construction!
I like their composition and colours!
Greetings
Agnes

sarahnatalie (693) 2007-11-25 8:34

John,
This is beautiful! You have a wonderful talent for capturing great images. The image is so sharp and the colours so bold. I like the presentation, too. Looks very professional. Nice job!
Sarah

ikthus (20) 2007-12-21 22:38 [Comment]

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