PREVIEW: SAMARKAND (AT NIGHT)

25/6/2015

The Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum in the moonlight.

T plus 45 - Samarkand (Uzbekistan)

A photographer could go nuts in this place. Everything is so pretty and photo-worthy. I'm still trying to figure out the best times for the best light. And how to avoid the hordes of tour-bus tourists. But I thought I'd do something which (as far as I can tell) few have done - photograph Samarkand at night.

I'm pretty sure why few people have done it - it's bloody difficult. Aside from having to creep up to the (well guarded) structures undetected, you'll have to avoid motion sensor-activated spotlights, and find the right balance between street lighting and moon-lighting. Also, photographing the Shah-i-Zinda mausoleums entailed a hair-raising trek through a cemetery - at midnight. And a wee bit of breaking-and-entering.

But it was worth it. Very worth it.

I'll do a full post on Samarkand soon. This is just the preview.

The Gul-E-Amir Mausoleum, where Timur was interred. It's much less imposing than the Registan, but somehow the perfectly proportioned elements all come together and makes it even more characterful in my opinion.

The Registan from a few different angles.

Top: Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum
Bottom: Hazrat-Hizr Mosque

The mausoleums of Shah-i-Zinda.

A selfie with ze camera and tripod.

11 Comments

Suef

26/6/2015 03:51:43 am

Just as I was looking for the "like" button. These are great photos, its apparent you can quit your day job.

26/6/2015 01:06:53 pm

"A photographer could go nuts in this place" Obviously, you have proved the statement. :)

rohani

27/6/2015 05:37:50 pm

What time was this photo taken?. Its so beautiful. Now I know where to find a FOC cameraman when I need one back at home.

Neoh

27/6/2015 07:09:31 pm

Hi Suef, SC and Rohani. Thanks for the nice words :)

Unfortunately taking photographs doesn't pay very well. Unless you do weddings. Which is roll-eyes-boring. Or maybe work for FHM or Playboy. Hmm, now that would be the dream huh.

Yes SC, I'm going nuts because I don't know which photos to post on my blog now. There are so many!

Rohani, these night shots were taken from 9pm to around midnight. I like the dark background and how it makes the buildings pop.

Mum link

1/7/2015 02:20:38 pm

One can only say 'WOW!' scrolling through your night shots of the Mausoleums. Lighting is really nice and very well taken although trekking through a cemetery at midnight is not really your cup of tea! Quite an ingenious way of taking a selfie, your second one. I like it.

Neoh

1/7/2015 06:27:04 pm

Hi Mum! Yeah, I don't think a midnight hike through a cemetery is anyone's cup of tea! But it yielded some pretty decent results, so I guess it was worth it!

kpeng

4/7/2015 07:02:53 pm

yea, the nights shots are really "wow!" but i don't envy the eerie trekking. you must have a heart of 'steel'. I do agree with you that the intricate and opulent architecture at Samarkand is quite something!

Neoh

5/7/2015 05:48:23 am

Dear kpeng, yes, Samarkand is really something. So much so that the rest of Uzbekistan becomes a bit of a let down after you see it.

My suggestion, if anyone were to visit the country, is to go directly to Khiva on the West-end of the country (and maybe go to the Aral Sea if so inclined) and work your way Eastwards - Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand then fly out of Tashkent. It's a much much better build-up this way.

Bodya link

31/8/2016 03:54:36 pm

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Aba Sayyoh Tour - Samarkand link

30/1/2017 02:38:23 am

Excellent work!!! Great photos of Samakand! The great effort of the author can only be appreciated by someone who visited Uzbekistan. Local authorities are tough to allow a slightest attempt to go beyond the rules. Visiting Shahi Zinda at night - this is something really really amazing. Respect to the author!!!

Neoh

4/2/2017 12:00:39 am

Hi! Thanks for your comment! Yeah, Samarkand at night is truly magical. And no tourist crowds to contend with. Highly recommended for all visitors.

PREVIEW: SAMARKAND (AT NIGHT)

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