The Sphinx

Tom Gomez

The Sphinx

The Great Sphinx of Giza (Arabic: أبو الهول “The Father of Fear”) is a half-human, half-lion Sphinx statue in Egypt, on the Giza Plateau at the west bank of the Nile River, near modern-day Cairo. The largest monolith statue in the world, it stands 73.5 metres (241 ft) long, 6 m (20 ft) wide, and 20 m (65 ft) high. Commonly believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians in the 3rd millennium BC, it is the earliest known monumental sculpture.

On the right is the Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Khufu’s Pyramid, Pyramid of Khufu, and Pyramid of Cheops), the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis, and is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World that survives substantially intact. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for Fourth dynasty Egyptian King Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. Originally the Great Pyramid was covered by casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface, and what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base.

Single RAW image Tonemapped in Photomatix Pro 3.2.

Camera: Canon EOS 450D (Digital Rebel XSi in the USA)
Canon 18-55mm IS lens
Exif data from the JPG
F-stop f/4.5
ISO 125
Focal length 36 mm

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Related shots can be found at: Egypt

Featured in : HDR Photography : 5 Oct 09

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The Sphinx by Tom Gomez
The Sphinx by Tom Gomez
  • Sean Farragher

    Sean Farragher

    great sight

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Sean …

  • Trudi's Images

    Trudi's Images

    Fantastic lighting and capture Tom,this must be one of the most photographed places on the planet but no matter how many times you see it it is still so inspiring ,at the front of the sphinx there is what looks like a stone boat ? was this dug out as well ?

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Trudi …
    I don’t know about a stone boat, but do you mean the Solar Boat?

  • Robin Brown

    Robin Brown

    You’ve got everything including the kitchen Sphinx Tom. Top quality shot & as always enough info to fill a book!!

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Cheers Robin, it was a great trip, but witha ll the security about, it never felt safe …

  • Robin Brown

    Robin Brown

    I have heard that Tom; not that anywhere is really safe these days but Dingwall wasn’t to bad this time round!!

  • Trudi's Images

    Trudi's Images

    Just to the bottom right of the picture there appears to be what is shaped like a boat and there is a person just visible near what looks like the hull,but it could be another building{or l could just be seeing things lol },but the link was very interesting though ,amazing place ,l think there would be so much there they will never discover .

  • dinghysailor1

    dinghysailor1

    wonderfuil work!! you did get about !! fantastic capture!
    :)

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Maggie, I love to travel …

  • shadyuk

    shadyuk

    Fantastic Image Tom !

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you so much Dorothy …

  • cherylc1

    cherylc1

    Fabulous capture!!!!

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Cheryl …

  • Bootiewootsy

    Bootiewootsy

    Wonderful capture. The lighting is fabulous, Tom

  • Tom Gomez replied

    thank you Carol …

  • Antoine Dagobert

    Antoine Dagobert

    Beautifully taken my friend!

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you kindly Ant …

  • Catherine Veal

    Catherine Veal

    this is magnificent Tom.I am enjoying your shots of EgyptWhen were you there? I would love to see all of these places but would be scared stiff the whole time.x

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you so much Catherine. We were only there for one day (12 Sep) during our recent cruise. It is definately worth a visit, there is so much history …

  • JacquiK

    JacquiK

    Great picture Tom

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Jacqui …

  • brimellor1

    brimellor1

    Stunning shot of an amazing place!!!!

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Brian …

  • Steve & Lesley

    Steve & Lesley

    excellent om – I got ripped off here big time!

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Cheers Steve, glad you like it mate …
    There are several ways to protect yourself:
    Always stay with the group (so you have backup).
    Decide how much you want to spend then haggle it down.
    If you don’t want it, do not engage in conversation. Just say NO in a firm, but polite voice.
    Don’t let them invade your personal space (you may find your wallet has changed hands).
    Never hand over your camera to anyone (you may have to pay to get it back).
    Never leave the safety of your group (you will become easy prey and they will intimidate you until you pay up).
    If you get too much hassle, shout loudly so that you attract security (they will back off as they don’t want trouble with the tourist police).
    Keep your valuables out of sight in a secure place (under your clothing in a zipped compartment is best).

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    lovely travel shot

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Antanas …

  • Béla Török

    Béla Török

    Splendid capture, Tom!

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you so much Béla …

  • Barry Norton

    Barry Norton

    Excellent capture and light Tom

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Barry …

  • Philip Johnson

    Philip Johnson

    great shot Tom , youve been everywhere man ! lol

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Philip, I love to tavel, but i would like to do lots more …

  • sharon wingard

    sharon wingard

    fantastic it is one place I would love to visit

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you Sharon, you would love it, there is so much history here …

  • George Lenz

    George Lenz

    beautiful scene… nicely done…

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you kindly George, very much appreciated …

  • davidShandley

    davidShandley

    Great shot Tom, I would like to visit the pyramids one day can you go up to them or are you kept at a safe distance?

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thanks David. It is possible to go inside the pyramids, but it is dark and cramped and you would have to crawl on your hands and knees in places. If you are claustraphobic or have mobility problems, it is not a good idea. Once inside, there is nothing actually to see. It is very plain, not even any carvings.

    Ther are other things to see, Mereruka’s mastaba and the Solar Boat for instance.

  • Steve & Lesley

    Steve & Lesley

    now that is bloody good

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thanks Steve, so glad you like it …

  • kemal91

    kemal91

    Stunning shot.

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you so much, very much appreciated …

  • Philip Johnson

    Philip Johnson

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you so much Philip, I’m honoured …

  • Trish Meyer

    Trish Meyer

    Another great shot and loads of interesting info both in your description and in your replies to comments. Thanks for sharing it all Tom.

  • Tom Gomez replied

    Thank you so much Trish, I’m so pleased you are enjoying my images …
    Tom

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