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Sony Forums Challenges | all galleries >> Challenge 68: Openings (hosted by Irish Eye) >> Challenge 68 Eligible Gallery >

Respite Within the Walls
by Helen Betts

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16-MAY-2004 Helen Betts

Respite Within the Walls
by Helen Betts

Ankara, Turkey

This is a little restaurant that is built on the old wall of the citadel, which dates from the seventh century A.D. It's always looked very inviting to me, and I've wanted to take a picture of it, but the light is usually too low (although was a bit brighter than normal today). I thought of setting up my tripod, but decided against it since I had to stand in the middle of a curvey, busy, narrow street with my husband constantly shouting, "Car!" Having had far too many close calls with Turkish drivers, I decided to hand hold the camera.

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Sony Forums Challenges20-May-2004 19:37
A wonderful doorway, Helen. The colors are rich and I like the details you chose to include. The number 29 will have a new visual memory for me. -Michael Puff
Sony Forums Challenges18-May-2004 20:59
It's a deal. John, despite the fact that I managed to miss out last time I was in D.C. However, I think I would be the one watching you, not vice versa :-). Helen
John Potter18-May-2004 18:16
Helen: You excel at this kind of image. Next time you are in DC I would like to walk around town with you and see you do a series "Passages in DC" ......could be a big hit. John
Deb Kees18-May-2004 13:36
Wonderful composition, Helen. I really like the angle at which you have chosen to shoot the image. Thanks for risking life and limb to share.---Deb
Guest 18-May-2004 09:54
wonderful composition on this shot. looks soooo inviting and I'll bet the food is great too....
Sony Forums Challenges18-May-2004 03:08
Beautiful entrance to a soothing-looking space. I love the colors too. Melanie (mlynn)
Sony Forums Challenges18-May-2004 02:58
Helen, your doorways and entrances are always interesting to view. You capture them well...and they open my eyes to others cultures & ways of doing things. This one is fascinating too. MFC
Sony Forums Challenges17-May-2004 22:33
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I've never eaten here, although I've passed by quite often since I seem to spend a lot of time in this old part of town (mainly to shoot photos, nowadays, as there really isn't any part of Ankara as interesting as this IMO). Now actually looking at the plaque above the door, it appears to be a "private" (or "special," depending on how you translate "özel") facility run by the Culture and Tourism Ministry (so perhaps I can't just walk in off the street). I'll have to ask some friends in the area what the story is. And Bill, next time I'm here I'll at least venture into the courtyard and see what it looks like :-). The large stones in the back are actually the old city fortifications that were started in the seventh century (although they probably have been restored). This picture I did for another challenge would be approximately on the back side of the walls of the restaurant:http://www.pbase.com/image/22912275. Oh, and not to overdo it, but this will give you an idea of how it's situated within the citadel and why I was worried about getting killed taking the picture. Looks like since I took this pic in Novemberhttp://www.pbase.com/image/22993377 it's come under new management. Helen
Bill Borne17-May-2004 22:14
A great shot, Helen. It would very hard to pass this doorway and not go in just to see what's inside! I would like to see more of the interior very much. Any more pics? I like the contrast of the outer small stones in the wall and the small floor stones compared to those very large stones of the interior wall! I would never had expected to see such large stones inside that doorway! Your exposure in and out of the door is just right! And the clarity/sharpness of the photo is very good with a nice DOF. Bill B
Sony Forums Challenges17-May-2004 01:59
A really Entrancing Opening..I am marvelling at the size of the stones.. HUGE..Very Chic.. and of course Perfectly captured. Something about the Orange framing around the doorway that is so fine..anyways I seem to always like all your Doorways.. Number #29 is a find. irish_eye
Katherine Stanback's Photos17-May-2004 00:02
really pretty doorway - it does look inviting! Have you ever eaten there?