The Crusaders’ Fortress, a photo from Hims, South

Photographer's Note

The Place
This is one of the most famous medieval citadel in the world, Crac des Chevaliers (Qal'at Al-Hosn in Arabic) near Homs, Syria. It was built by the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem from 1142 to 1271. Some detailed information here.

Background
On my way back from Aleppo to Damascus I stopped over in Homs, and from there took a mini bus to the fortress. Really impressive site, this is one of the best preserved ruins of the crusaders. I am glad that the Syrians have conserved this place well, despite the bitter memories that it might bring. In some other countries, symbols of past occupation or other’s religious have been destroyed.
Yet, this place is quite far from the beaten track, and at that time I didn’t see good places to stay overnight in order to catch better lights for photography. Maybe Syrians could also mount a “light & sound” show like the Egyptians in Giza and Karnak. Just an idea because this place has a lot of potential.

Technical
- Scanned film
- Noise reduction
- Gray scale, tritone
- curves, contrast, resize, sharpening, framing

Cretense, Floydian, Vinsachi, atus, horatiuTT, Photo65Net, sadeik, ViktorVaughn, belido, Truja, delkoo, pboehringer, azaf1, noborders, amino has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Cretense (68709) 2007-11-19 4:12

Hola Jorge!

Que lugar mas impresionante, amigo! Un gran castillo, que tu presentas en toda su belleza con una maravillosa composicion y perfect conversion en b&n. Felicidades!

Un saludo,
Hercules

Floydian (30970) 2007-11-19 5:27

Hi Jorge,
I sometimes don't understand the people here on TE. This is a famous place, not many pictures from here and still they don't come to visit this and put a comment to it. They could show some respect to a photo that is 13 years old but still high on quality.
Man, what a mood you created here, a photo full of drama, thanks to the b&w conversion in tritone.
A place i would like to visit...and some day i will. Thanks for showing this, i like it a lot.
Regards, Henk

horatiuTT (4570) 2007-11-19 5:29

Hi Jorge,
What an incredible view with that fantastique citadel.
I like the tones and the low level of saturation that is
a good choice.
Well done!

atus (15878) 2007-11-19 7:21

Hi Jorge,
this country is one of those I planned to visit this year, but didn't have time or better, more holidays to do it. Obvously this would have been one of the highlights. The conversion in b/w adds drama and great contrasts, especially with the dramatic clouds, as well. Very good scan for this more than thirteen years old picture, my friend!
Tfs and best wishes.
Attila

mehmetemin (7231) 2007-11-19 7:53

Hi Jorge
A very beautiful scene! Great colors and very clear. TFS
Mehmet Emin

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-11-19 9:41

Jorge,
Amazing contrasts in this one !
A beautiful BW, with lots of grey tones... I like that.
Regards,
JB.

sadeik (3282) 2007-11-19 11:09

Been going to Jordan for years and always wanted to go to Syria, mostly to see this crusadercastle which was never defeated. Second bestthing is to see it in your excellant image. Nice one

Simon

ViktorVaughn (1525) 2007-11-19 18:05

Very informative note of this citadel that I haven't actually heard of before. The black and white works really well, and your perspective is nice showing the valley and how it's perched on the hill.

Regards

giorgimer (35017) 2007-11-20 0:01

Hi Jorge,

I've seen many times this place on TV. You took the image from a good POV and B/W is a nice choice. It seems just a little underexposed in my opinion but it's a good work anyway.

TFS

Gio

belido (19934) 2007-11-20 4:17

Hi Bruno,

interesting color treatment and great capture. This sepia tone really enhanced the details of the castle. I'm impressed with this point & shoot image. The quality is superb! Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

marioana (2256) 2007-11-20 9:53

Hello Jorge.
Very gritty original B&W image. Great composition and POV. Good sharpness and quality. Good framing and presentation. TFS.
Regards, Steve.

toto (0) 2007-11-20 13:37

Belle photo de cette forteresse sur cette colline noire, belle prise avec en toile de fond ces nuages bas. Bel ensemble d' ou ressort fort bien cette forteresse.
Amitiés Thomas

Truja (4953) 2007-11-21 13:48

Buenas noches Jorge,
impresionante imagen con dureza y personalidad. Genial perspectiva arquitectónica de esta fortaleza que nos muestra toda su magnitud.
El B&N y gris da un tono de antiguo que es fantástico. Una composición excelente!

Salut, Jordi

delkoo (68) 2007-11-24 13:36

A good choice for this setting, jorge, everything is in place for a magnificent view .
In any case a nice piece of work!

regards
didier

pboehringer (770) 2007-11-24 19:51

Jorge, another underrated shot in your gallery. I don't know what it is but it seems that you have really this bad luck. Despite being an old shot that was scanned it is clearly a very good one. The composition is perfect and with those clouds the mood is a stunning one. Personally I would have tried to clear up a little bit the right lower corner. It seems to be a somewhat dark but not much to compromise the overall impression of the shot.
Regards, Peter

azaf1 (15931) 2007-12-01 0:37

Hi Jorge
Great capture of the old fortress and your bichromatic post processing dramatizes the effect of the ancient monument
Congratulations
Argiris

** tomorrow

noborders (1010) 2007-12-03 1:03

A very good presentation for this great fort, better than in nature IMO ! (and I camped just in front of it, so I had time to admire it at ease !)
Bravo,
Cath.

ls7902 (7380) 2007-12-07 6:59

Wow beautiful color treatment on this old image. Time for me to learn this technique. Any site to recommend? Fine composition & exposure. Good depth. Envy you for being there. Have a nice weekend Jorge.

Regards,
Latiff.

amino (440) 2009-03-19 20:20

classic POV and vintage and nicely framed. I think it is the first time i see a B&W of this site. I passed by it too and I agree that Syria can capitalize on its archeological and historical sites much better to attract tourism. Hopefully one day..

TFS