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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 57: Music! (hosted by MFC) >> Challenge 57: Eligible Program >

Anatolian Strings
by Helen Betts

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14-DEC-2003 Helen Betts

Anatolian Strings
by Helen Betts

Ankara, Turkey

I was up in the old part of Ankara today visiting some friends who own a carpet and antique shop. I asked if they happened to have any musical instruments lying around on the off chance that I could find something really Turkish to photograph for this challenge. They didn't, but one of them ran down the street and borrowed several instruments from another friend, and among them was this old ud. You can't imagine the scene -- half the neighborhood came to watch what I was doing. It was too dark for no flash but I hated the pics with the flash. Finally someone got me a bunch of boxes to put the camera on, and we propped the ud on my jacket and scarf and against an ottoman. Someone else went and got me a glass of wine and I shot away -- a very Turkish setup. It's really a lovely instrument; for a full view my husband took of it (complete with wine glasses), go to http://www.pbase.com/image/24114884/medium

Sony DSC-V1
1s f/4.5 at 7.0mm iso100 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time14-Dec-2003 00:16:05
MakeSony
ModelDSC-V1
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length7 mm
Exposure Time1.30 sec
Aperturef/4.5
ISO Equivalent100
Exposure Bias
White Balanceincandescent (3)
Metering Modecenter weighted (2)
JPEG Quality (6)
Exposure Programmanual (1)
Focus Distance

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Sony Forums Challenges16-Dec-2003 00:26
Helen, this is wonderful. I would've loved being a fly on the wall, watching you create this impromtu party. I love the way you've cropped this. It's just right. I'd be interested in seeing other ways of cropping it, too, judging from the photo link. --Nancy/JoseNoway
Ann Chaikin14-Dec-2003 18:13
This is great Helen. It reminds me of the lute inset that I gave Arvin for his birthday a few years ago. We have a friend who makes Renaissance lutes and he made just the middle part (can't think of the official name at the moment) as my gift to Arvin who loves the look of it. I couldn't afford one of his lutes as they sell for many thousands of dollars. I love your story too. Ann C
Sony Forums Challenges14-Dec-2003 16:08
Nice composition/crop, Helen. An interesting, Turkish instrument...I esp like all the central detail, the color tones/woodgrain, and the arrangement of the strings. The missing "piece" adds interest too. I appreciated your info... and the link to view the whole instrument. Nice photo. MFC
Katherine Stanback's Photos14-Dec-2003 14:41
Interesting closeup - I also liked seeing the link to the whole instrument.
Sony Forums Challenges13-Dec-2003 21:48
Great detail shot - I also liked your linked shot, as it shows off the curved back and the layback of the headstock. -Ed Hahn