Baptism site, south Jordan river, a photo from Jerusalem, Yerushalayim

Photographer's Note

May be useful to read the note:

At first sight it does not look so impressive, but this was one of the
highlights in Judean desert tour, the baptism site of Quasr-al-Yahud.

It is mostly sacred to Orthodox church worshipers, where according to tradition beside the Jordan River, Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan, where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
According to other belief Joshua and Israelis crossed the river here from Moav Kingdom in 1280BC, entered the Israel land and conquered Jericho.

Low water level so evident, though on high winter water level of the Jordan River can be higher by 3m +/-.
Only 14m+/- apart from Israel side to the Kingdom-of-Jordan side.

Location is at 31.83697, 35.5463 on the map.
RAW, F8.0, 1/400, ISO100.
Ike

pajaran, Fis2, macjake, ChrisJ, holmertz, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, jhm, jemaflor, COSTANTINO, PaulVDV, jean113, adramad, mcmtanyel, PiotrF has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (116041) 2021-06-05 0:37

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Lepo mesto na reci sa drvenom konstrukcijom i zelenilom na obali, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom i perpsektivom.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija.

Zelim vam lep dan, sve najbolje.
Paja

Fis2 (170919) 2021-06-05 0:47

Witaj Ike!
A very interesting place, good presentation.
I like framing, colors and light.
Well done.
Have a nice weekend.
Krzysztof

macjake (98456) 2021-06-05 1:06

Hi Ike
yes, at first glance it doesn't really look like much of anything at all - this is one of those TE posts where the Note is so important - I just hope people read it. Obviously an important historical landmark. It's just not that exciting photography wise, but nonetheless, still great to see it.
cheers
Craig

ChrisJ (171888) 2021-06-05 1:31

Hi Ike

Thanks for posting this and showing what I missed. My driver asked if I wanted to detour to this spot but I declined and continued on to the Dead Sea Hotel precinct. Although not an outstanding 'ooh & ahh' type of landscape, it is nonetheless historically and religiously very important. Well photographed with superb colour, sharpness and framing. Tfs!

Silvio1953 (221771) 2021-06-05 3:34

Ciao Ike, great view from historic river, splendid light, excellent sharpness, wonderful natural colors and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

holmertz (102834) 2021-06-05 3:42

Hello Ike,
It would be difficult to understand without the note that this simple place has such strong value in two religions. The photo is well composed with good natural frames, but it is more curious than beautiful. For cultural reasons it deserves a place on TE, while the wider view in the WS is more interesting as a photo.
Best regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-06-05 5:00

Hello Ike,

A good composition in the main shot, gives the impression that this holy site is very discrete, isolated from buildings, a quiet place, where history was once enacted.

Your w/s shows a place close to barriers and buildings, not as I imagined at all!
It does show the skill of the photographer, to create settings!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

pierrefonds (114584) 2021-06-05 5:07

Hi Ike,

The length of the river is creating depth. The point of view is showing the details of the baptism site and of the trees. The light is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (211736) 2021-06-05 11:19

Hello Ike,

A nice view about the small river, it seems not real pur water, but maybe not important
An excellent composition.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

Tue (92514) 2021-06-05 11:44

Hello Ike,
You had a good vantage point to overlook this sacred place with the wooden structure and the stairs leading straight down into the river. It is nicely surrounded by the green banks.
Lars

ifege (48217) 2021-06-05 21:50

Hi Ike
From the colour of the water it looks like anyone getting baptised there would get a bit muddy. A good photo of bushy scene.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (147270) 2021-06-05 23:23

Hi Ike,
Interesting view, good POV about this place, good note, tfs.

COSTANTINO (116644) 2021-06-05 23:24

hello dear friend and have a nice day
yes it is very useful to read these notes
about the baptism site of Quasr al Yahud
sacred to Orthdox church worshipers...
thanks
regards
Costantino

lousat (139352) 2021-06-06 1:37

Hi Ike,in fact it needs to read the notes to understand better. The place is therefore very important, especially for the Orthodox, and I understand why there are so many old monasteries in this area. Excellent capture with a useful wide view in the WS. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

Energysavingelk (7834) 2021-06-06 7:35

Hello Ike!

There are great differences between your imagination about places of which you have been told stories for decades, and when a real view pops up, its "Uuuha!"
Might be the same with Rubicone river in Italy, and that was just Caesar, not Jesus...

Received my first vaccination ten days ago, so lets hope for the best!
Have a nice week
Sven

PaulVDV (63010) 2021-06-07 1:39

Hello Ike,
I suppose that the Jordan River has played such a role in Christian history that expectations are very high and this little stream seems rather disappointing. No idea what it would look like if the water were 3 meters higher ... It will never seem like an average river in Europe.
This of course does not affect the quality of your photo.
I also have to realize that every bit of water in the desert means a lot.
Thanks for both realistic representations.
Best regards, Paul

ktanska (44832) 2021-06-08 9:34

Hi Ike,
Historical importance is much bigger than the river itself. And obviously the river was much bigger in the old days, considering how quickly the dead sea is shrinking nowadays. Anyway this looks very nice with all the surrounding reeds.
Kari

jean113 (27899) 2021-06-09 11:20

Hello Ike, looking at the w/s picture it becomes obvious that you used your skill at composing this shot thereby excluding unnecessary features.
Although it is very interesting to see both views.
I read your note, and it explains very well the significance of this place. Nothing like I imagined it to be, it is still a picture that tells us about the world.
Kind regards, Jean.

mkamionka (74607) 2021-06-14 4:05

Hi Ike,
it is interesting how our culture or history can add a great meaning to relatively random places.
It is a beautiful natural spot but without the historical touch nobody would probably go to see it.
Very well composed with the vegetation surrounding it tightly from all sides.
Great reportage,
M

adramad (73030) 2021-06-15 11:48

Hi Ike.
A view of the famous river, completely surrounded by reeds and a staircase that goes down from that viewpoint, I suppose to facilitate bathing, although at this time of year the waters seem a bit dirty, perhaps because the level of the river is low.
In the WS we see a broader view of the place including the church.
Well managed brightness and sharpness, to enjoy the details.
Well seen and done. I like.
Have a nice day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (68679) 2021-07-01 20:21

Hello Ike,
When we were there, we visited a different baptism site, further north where the water was much cleaner. I am not sure if I would want to step in this muddy water.
Regards,
MT

PiotrF (54850) 2021-11-27 8:21

Hello Ike,
Interesting picture from the baptism site of Quasr-al-Yahud. I like good composition, wonderful colours and good quality
Fine presentation
Regards
Piotr