Foto Friday – Hagia Sophia – Calligraphic Roundels, Istanbul

On July 29, 2011October 5, 2018 By James HandlonIn Foto FridayLeave a comment

During a trip to Istanbul in 2005 I visited the Hagia Sophia, once the largest basilica in Christendom, in 1453 after the siege of Constantinople it was converted into a mosque by Sultan Mehmed.

This photograph shows two of the eight famous calligraphic roundels in the Hagia Sophia that are in fact painted wooden plaques, they were added in the 19th century restoration ordered by Sultan Abdülmecid.

This shot is actually an analog photo taken using film and later scanned in for digital purposes – in fact it was the last trip I used a film camera on!

Foto Friday – The Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

On July 15, 2011October 5, 2018 By James HandlonIn Foto Friday2 Comments

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It is one of the most recognisable structures in the world. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love.

This shot was taken very early in the morning, almost at first sunrise, before all the crowds turned up during my manic but also enjoyable trip around Northern India’s Golden Triangle.

Foto Friday – Hong Kong Cityscape at Night

On July 8, 2011June 6, 2019 By James HandlonIn Foto Friday2 Comments

Foto Friday – will be a new post that goes up on the Travel Blog every Friday with a different photo that I have taken from somewhere in the world whilst on my travels.

I hope these photos of some of the amazing, wonderful and sometimes downright mad places that I have seen and experienced while travelling may help encourage others to get out there and explore and see for themselves this incredible planet that we live on!

This particular shot was taken during a sultry evening from up high on ‘The Peak’ on Hong Kong Island. I took it from the small but beautiful, (and incredibly crowded), Peak Pagoda. No city in the world quite looks like Hong Kong does at night!