Blue Mosque, Istanbul

From a photo taken in the Sultan Ahmet Park in Istanbul during a brief lull in the rain.

Copper Sky

Photo by Steve Bohn

This photo was taken as we sailed out of Istanbul harbor. I have tried to figure out which mosque it is, but I'm not certain. I've added textures from rubyblossom and pareeerica.

You Don't Scare Me!

These two cats were wandering in the park near the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the cat on the bench was menacing the one below.

I've added blurring and texture to remove distracting elements.

Istanbul Harbor

We had surprisingly good weather on our cruise this past spring, with only one day of cold, rainy weather. Unfortunately, it occurred while we were in Istanbul, a port we had decided to tour on our own. Although the weather was a temporary setback, we did get out and experience most of what we had planned to do and see.

This image conveys the somber atmosphere of Istanbul harbor as we sailed into the great city. The tall building in the background is the medieval Galata Tower, built in the 1300s.

Head of a Young Woman

This sculpture is located in the Istanbul Archeological Museum and dates back to 27 B.C.  I've combined textures from Shadowhouse Creations to give it more visual interest.

Floral Tapestry

Some of the beautiful sculpture in the Istanbul Archeology Museum. I've added a grunge floral texture for effect.

Fishing at Eminonu

Fishing along the Eminonu waterfront is a popular pastime in Istanbul. We passed these fishermen as we walked back to our cruise ship (to the right above) docked in Karakoy across the Galata Bridge. This part of Turkey is known as the Golden Horn.

I've added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations.

Sunken Cistern

This is a view of the largest of many ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. This one was built during the reign of Emperor Justinian during the 6th century. The ceiling is supported by 336 marble columns, each 30 feet high.  Currently there is only a few feet of water in the cistern and very small fish and coins can be seen in spots where the dim lights penetrate the water. Descending and exploring this damp space can feel very mysterious, despite the fact that it is a popular attraction for both tourists and locals.

I've added a texture by joes sistah.

Sailing to Byzantium



Photo by Steve Bohn

 Byzantium was the original name of Istanbul, back when the Greeks founded it in 667 BC. It was later renamed Constantinople and was the capital of the Roman Empire until it was captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1453. In 1930 it was renamed Istanbul.

Sailing into Istanbul was very exciting because the city straddles both Europe and Asia. The city is also a mix of ancient and modern and its people are very proud of their history. This mosque in this image is the famous Hagia Sophia

I've added a texture called sky hard by clive sax.