theonlyD800inthehameau
Photography by theonlydeadheadinthehameau
Monochrome Madness: Ruins
Posted on October 2, 2025
As the topic for Monochrome Madness this time out is ‘Ruins’, eschewing the easy option of just posting an early morning selfie, I decided to stay with the subject of my Lens-Artists contribution earlier this week: the fabled ruins of the city of Petra.
For an idea of scale in this vast edifice, just take note of the human figures at bottom left.
Lens-Artists Challenge: Everyone should see…Petra
Posted on September 30, 2025
For many years, the ‘rose-red city’ of Petra, in Jordan, was right at the top of my bucket list. I finally made it for my 60th birthday.
The main approach to the city is through a narrow path called the ‘Siq’, which runs for about three-quarters of a mile (1.2 kilometres in the new money) between two high and rocky outcrops which, for most of the way, is all you can see. But then you round a slight curve in the path and there is your first glimpse of the Nabatean Treasury. Not something easily forgotten…
Lens-Artist Challenge: Rock Your World
Posted on April 16, 2024
“Rose-red city, half as old as time”
There is nowhere on earth quite like Petra. The sheer scale of the monuments themselves is mind-boggling, but the natural context of weathered sandstone in which they are set may be even more so (spot the human figure).
The Treasury At Petra
Posted on December 30, 2020
There are few sights more awe-inspiring than the first glimpse of the soaring Nabatean Treasury in the ancient city of Petra.
Tuesday Photo Challenge: Scale
Posted on March 10, 2020
Petra is built on a colossal scale, as is evident from this view of the Treasury from the Siq – the 1.2km long narrow passage that is the most common way to enter the ‘rose-red city, half as old as time’.
Tuesday Photo Challenge: Ancient
Posted on June 4, 2019
Frank’s theme for this week is ‘Ancient’. It’s open to discussion whether there’s a clear transition point between merely old and truly ancient, but I don’t think there’d be too much argument against calling the historic city of Petra as properly ancient. As the poem says, it is after all ‘The rose-red city half as old as time’.
Petra: Made by Humans
Posted on February 15, 2019
It almost beggars belief that the colossal monuments of the ancient city of Petra, such as this tomb carved out of sandstone, were created thousands of years ago by mere human beings.
Tuesday Photo Challenge: Time
Posted on March 14, 2018
This doorway carved into the sandstone of the Nabatean city of Petra, in modern-day Jordan, is over 2,000 years old, so it’s little wonder that it is showing the effects of time.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Weathered
Posted on January 11, 2018
The passage of millenia has weathered the sandstone of the ancient city of Petra into some fascinating shapes and colours, including this example.
Is it just me, or is that the head of a dinosaur about to graze on that bush?
Weekly Photo Challenge: Scale
Posted on October 12, 2017
The human figures at bottom right give some idea of the monumental scale of the ruined city of Petra.
Top Posts & Pages
theonlyD800inthehameau 