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ersi — The Oracle
Published: 2008-10-02 15:16:28 +0000 UTC; Views: 793; Favourites: 25; Downloads: 0
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Description
An old photograph I took in Delphi, the famous temple and oracle of Ancient Greece.It is still, I believe, a "sacred" place, even if only for its beauty and the imposing nature surrounding it. Walking among the ruins, visiting the museum, you can easily believe a new oracle will soon be whispered in the wind.
Going through my older photographs has made me very nostalgic of my country, Greece. I must go there soon.
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Comments: 15
Going through the oldest parts of my devlist, I was surprised that I had never commented or faved this picture, although I knew I had left it on my list because of its appeal.
The 'old' look of the photo combines well with the age of the temples and reminds me personally of some of the vintage books that I used when I was doing archaeology in university. So, as in other work by Ersi, the texture is a tasteful, effective choice.
The standard pictures of Delfi all include the familiar sight of the round temple and the imposing natural background, but Ersi was so original to go for detail - which is often the difference between photographers casually taking pictures of buildings and photographers who are really aware of architecture. The first thing to look at when deciding about the style of a classic temple is the top end of the pillars, the capital, and that's what shown here, revealing that this is a Doric temple, the most severe and ancient style. The most striking element is the white pillar drum below the capital. This is a modern restoration, which that could be taken as a minor mistake as a choice for attention (partly corrected by the use of the texture) but with some benevolence, you could also say that it refers to the immaculate idea of the architecture that was inside of the architect's head.
The composition isn't formal, the pillars only hint at the 1/3 and 2/3 verticals, but while this was a building of classical formality, it's now a ruin that suffered from time and earthquakes, and the non-obvious composition goes well with the essence of the building and the place as it is now, and avoids the danger of boredom. Here too, like with the choice of texture, form and content are in harmony.
Often well-known places like Delfi can be disappointing but I felt much the same about it as Ersi when I visited. Delfi is a place of both myth and history, having a spiritual impact even on modern people, and this picture clearly does it justice.
Deleted and reposted by request for the artist, because of technical difficulty; also some minor corrections. Apologies for anyone who rated this critique before!
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You are very generous in your critique and in re-submitting it so I can call it "Fair". But there are no buttons to click. I don't understand this and I'm sorry you went to all this trouble for nothing.
Since we are back at the subject though, I would like to say something about the white restored pillar. I didn't leave it out of the frame nor "disguised" it with photomanipulation because it's part of the truth of what the temple is now. In a way, it's part of the changes time has inflicted on the original structure. It's so blatant and un-becoming that instead of a restoration it's more like a blemish.
To me, it's a symbol of our modern civilization, too many times disrespectful of the past, convinced that it has the right answer -or modification- to everything. Also, I do believe life is never perfect and we must take it as it comes, in all its splendor and tragedies. In this shot we have the splendor of the past and the tragedy of the failed restoration.
Thank you very much for the critique, Eric. You summed up my intentions wonderfully.
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very nice!
is that damage from the flood you talk about or did you add that effect? it looks like it's on fire
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Thank you 
The damage was minor here, I added a texture to disguise it. The golden effect is from the texture.
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(smile) take your camera and bring us more goodies like these!!!! 
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Aaargh! I wish I could do it right now! Thank you, sweet ilil
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Thanks! 
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