Half Rainbow over Ihlara Valley, a photo from Aksaray, Central Anatolia

Photographer's Note

Have you seen my first photo from Ihlara Valley (***WINDOW OF LIGHT IN IHLARA VALLEY***)? Back then I wrote about how the weather had been terrible that whole day, and that a few minutes before sunset, a "window" opened in the clouds and that that window of light was a great "gift" that day. Well the "gift" become even better, a few minutes later and a few kilometres to the north, with this beautiful rainbow. As you can see, even that moment, there were two different "weathers" at the same time.

SOME INFO ABOUT IHLARA VALLEY FROM WIKIPEDIA:
"Ihlara is a township with own municipality in Aksaray Province, Central Anatolia, Turkey. It is situated at about 40 km (25 mi) from the province seat of Aksaray and near the town of Güzelyurt. The township is famed for the nearby valley of the same name, Ihlara Valley, which is a 16 km (10 mi) long gorge cut into volcanic rock in the southern part of Cappadocia, following several eruptions of Mount Erciyes. The Melendiz Stream flows through the valley.

What makes the valley unique is the ancient history of its inhabitants. The whole canyon is honeycombed with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period.

Due the valley's plentiful supply of water and hidden places, here was the first settlement of the first Christians escaping from Roman soldiers. In the Ihlara Valley there are hundreds of old churches in the volcanic rock caves. The most known churches are Ağaçaltı Church with cross plan, Sümbüllü Church, Pürenliseki Church, Kokar Church, Yilanli Church, Karagedik Church, Kirkdamatli Church, Direkli Church, Ala Church, Kemerli Church and Egritas Church"

***MY TRIP TO CAPPADOCIA (THEME)***

Copyright © 2009 – Hercules Milas. The reproduction, publication, modification, transmission or exploitation of any work contained herein for any use, personal or commercial, without my prior written permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.

asajernigan, adasindia, Budapestman, ChrisJ, Longroute, Dashab, ciakgiak, JT50, dareco, jafadabret, carlosmarin, kastanaras, ngk has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

adasindia (633) 2009-11-19 3:27

Hi Hercules,

Splendid picture. Wahat to say.Very good note. Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Abhijit

asajernigan (21427) 2009-11-19 3:27

Hercules,
This is a great shot with amazing lighting! The rainbow is great and leads the eye through the shot. The colors are fine and the photo has excellent sharpness. The small area of blue sky brings out the contrast with the dark clouds.
TSF,
Asa

veyselk (0) 2009-11-19 3:29

Hi Hercules

wowwww!!!! I couldn't find a word to write here.
absolutely it's the most beautiful shot I have ever seen from ihlara valley.
thanks for sharing.

veysel

Budapestman (82620) 2009-11-19 3:53

Hi Hercules,
a fabled view with spectacular composition and picturesque details, the colours and lights are amazing, great impression, Congratulations.
Have a nice day!
George

coco (30439) 2009-11-19 4:18

Kalimera Hercules.

Sencillamente... impresionante.
¿Qué otra cosa se puede decir?

Me quito el sombrero ante esta foto y gracias por la misma.

Ta leme, file mou.

pasternak (15185) 2009-11-19 4:27

Such a bright rainbow, you were lucky to spot it! Great timing in terms of weather, and such a contrast in the sky!

Cheers
A

barrufeto_77 (28888) 2009-11-19 4:34

Grrrrrrrrrrr...qué envidia por supuesto! Tremendos los colores y el momento del arcoiris.

Espectacular!

Leconte (5795) 2009-11-19 4:35

never seen a rainbow in the sky so dark, beautiful, and, in truth, it would be even more.
Best regards,
Valérie.

muunal (792) 2009-11-19 4:36

Incredible shot...Excellent light...

gilou530 (34) 2009-11-19 4:46

salut hercules
lumiére et couleur dure avec ce ciel orageux que seul l'arc en ciel égaie, bon boulot
amitiés
gilbert

francio64 (39888) 2009-11-19 5:13

Ciao Hercules,
sembra quasi di essere sul pianeta Marte, famoso per essere rosso.
Bellissimo l'arcobaleno dove spiccano in particolare modo il rosso e il verde.

Well done!
Francesco

TopGeo (38220) 2009-11-19 5:42

Γειά σου Ηρακλή! Το ουράνιο τόξο "λένε": φέρνει τύχη! Ο μύθος αναφέρει ότι στο τέρμα του έχει θαμμένο το χρυσάφι! και αυτό καθ'αυτό αποτελεί οφθαλμαπάτη. Αλλά ότι και να είναι από όλα! νομίζω ότι σαν ιδέα σε πάρα πολλούς αρέσει,,,άς είναι τυχερό λοιπόν!
Καλή λήψη και καλή συνέχεια στο οδοιπορικό σου στην Καπαδοκία!!
Χαιρετώ σε!
Γεώργιος

erhan1958 (15961) 2009-11-19 5:51

extremely successful as far as I understand your travel history turkey
erhan

sultana (2101) 2009-11-19 6:51

It's wonderful to see such an impressive rainbow from Ihlara Valley.You have a very well captured it.Excellent colour of sky and light management.congratulations !!
Sultan

ChrisJ (171252) 2009-11-19 8:18

Hi Hercules

Superb colour & saturation with the rainbow adding a wonderful colour spectrum. Good sharpness & contrasted light. Tfs!

alin-m (3716) 2009-11-19 8:22

Wonderfull immage and beautifull colours.
Great picture.Congratulation.
Friendly regards.Alin.

LOOOK13 (19046) 2009-11-19 8:53

Salut.
Que dire de plus que ce cliché?
Une photo qui pourrait illustrer beaucoup d'ouvrages, des couleurs à couper le souffle, un arc en ciel, un beau coucher de soeil...
Bravo.

TGULUMSER (13252) 2009-11-19 9:07

Hello Hercules,
A fantastic view with amazing colors and unusual composition,
Best regards,
Tulay

diomed (13926) 2009-11-19 9:14

Hi Hercules,
unbelieveble! This photo looks like is painted! Fantastic!
Congratulations!
NIce evening
Antonio

Longroute (19600) 2009-11-19 9:41

Well Hercules,

you have all our admiration for this excellent work.
I think no words can express or value wholly its beauty. I'd be curious to know if that darker area at the left of the rainbow is like in the real scene or you did an expert work in PP?
Thanks for sharing,
Donato

Jeppo (17645) 2009-11-19 12:03

ciao hercules,

so...we were in the same places....and I have been there too...ihlara valley...a wonderful place...so green...and fresh...to have a pleasant walk.
but I was not so lucky to catch such a natural wonder like you. a rainbow...and a burning warm light to set the landscape on fire

tfs
silvio

ersoyyilmaz (2489) 2009-11-19 18:17

hmm hmmm admiring your capture. Right time, right place and you there to capture it like this beautifully...

brandstaetter (15915) 2009-11-19 22:47

Wow, you ´re so lucky.... travelling with a hot air balloon and then nature provides such a spectacular view.
Compliments, C.

figenya (2852) 2009-11-20 1:24

Hi Hercules,

Excellent warm colours and a great rainbow & nature shot. The best shots of Nevşehir comes from you, to be honest.
I decided to visit there once more for photography in the new year (try to catch similar views perhaps with people around)

regards

figen

scyntilla (1844) 2009-11-20 1:58

Hi Hercules,
Simply beautiful. The transition from dark to light and the rainbow as the colourful belt that keeps the darkness away. Magical.
Petek

Dashab (2564) 2009-11-20 2:02

Hello Hercules,
You are lucky with rainbows, it seems! What this one lacks in completeness is more than made up for by its vivid colours. The rich light is amazing, as are the colours.
Thank you and have a nice weekend,
Dasha

maximage (15537) 2009-11-20 2:05

Hello Hercules,
Image spectaculaire et impressionnante!
Très beau travail photographique. Superbe.
Amitiés.
max

rodgerg (55767) 2009-11-20 3:31

Hello hercules,

Very creative, very impressive and very efficience composition. Superb colours with a good balalnce betwenn the vived red/oranje and the impressice colors of this incredible sky. Congratulations.
have a nice WE,
Roger

ciakgiak (30) 2009-11-20 3:37

Hello Hercules,
this is a really masterpiece...
What incredible atmosphere you captured, the colours are superb, great contrast between the ground and the amazing sky, and the presence of the rainbow is tha addiction to your wondwrful shot!!!
Well done dear friend.
Friendly regards
Giorgio

JT50 (1491) 2009-11-20 4:11

Hi Hercules,
This is absolutely breathtaking scene.
You were lucky to be blessed with two
weathers in one go. Never seen a rainbow
with such strong colours. Two different
sceniro in the sky is just magic for a
photographer.
Have a lovely Friday.
Janak

umutlu101 (13629) 2009-11-20 5:23

fantastique X 100

merci
ömer

herowono (0) 2009-11-20 5:28

Hello Hercules,
Great shot with really amazing view. Wonderful sky! Really breathtaking! Well composed on that light condition. Well done!
All my best regards,
Ismojo

delkoo (68) 2009-11-20 5:52

hi hercules,
What a stunning photo! Marvellous rainbow, catched in full glory!!
I really like all the beautiful colours you've got here,
ta leme
didier

delpeoples (60342) 2009-11-20 6:18

Hi Hercules, were this just a rainbow shot, it would still be magnificent. But the inclusion of that fascinating and dramatic landscape takes it well beyond that. Beautiful panorama, it really has everything. TFS and have a wonderful weekend, Lisa

Dyerco (10185) 2009-11-20 7:39

WOW! You couldn't ask for a better dark sky to show off that rainbow. The colours are stunning and the the light is fabulous. A nice balance between the oranges and the blues.
Phil

dareco (17136) 2009-11-20 20:48

Absolutely stunning! WOW! Perfect timing, and I love how the black clouds bring out the vibrant colors of the rainbow. Beautiful lighting on the land. TFS

jafadabret (56501) 2009-11-21 2:52

Kalimera Hercules.
Tout est dans cette photo d'une grande beauté. J'aime les couleurs extraordinaires du sol et du ciel. L'arc-en-ciel est un vrai plus. Merci pour cette belle photo !
Amicalement
Jacques

carlosmarin (11954) 2009-11-21 9:46

Hola Hercules,
Bellísima foto, captada en este momento único en que el arco iris se superpone al contraste de cielos, tormentoso y claro.
Gracias por compartir.
Un saludo,
Carlos

vasilpro (41801) 2009-11-21 11:14

Γεια σου Ηρακλή,
Εξαιρετική διαχείριση του φωτισμού με καταπληκτικό χρώμα σε μια πανέμορφη ατμόσφαιρα, το ουράνιο τόξο ανυψώνει ακόμα πιο πολύ τη σύνθεσή σου.
Καλή σου Κυριακή, Βασίλης.

kastanaras (1160) 2009-11-22 5:50

Gia sou Irakli,
Oti kai na grapso tha einai ligo.
Ekseretikiiiiiii!!!!!!!!
Se xereto,
Dimitris

pablominto (53746) 2009-11-22 7:40

Hello Hercules,

An amazing play of light over this strange landscape!
The rainbow is outstanding with well defined colours, and the dramatic sky makes a great background...
An interesting scene, well framed!

Greetings,
Pablo -

gneufeld (15890) 2009-11-23 17:49

Hi Hercules,
Wow and wow - absolutely stunning colors and contrasts here, and the rainbow is awesome. Gorgeous work and TFS. GErald

ngk (2413) 2009-11-25 4:50

Γεια σου Ηρακλή,
Δεν έχω σχόλιο, Συγχαρητήρια!!!!
Σε χαιρετώ
nasos k.

pal_claudia (458) 2009-11-25 14:59

HI :)

You are so lucky !! :)
Because you saw all these beatiful places....
This is great!
The colors are fantastic !!
That rainbow is the cherry on the cake:)
Congratulation, wonderful and professional work as usual ! :)
Clau, from Romania

stelli (3009) 2009-12-05 15:09

Amazing unique capture! Extraordinary colors and a superb framing! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

VERSATILE (37) 2010-11-19 15:43

hi hercules
no comment..........
good luck