Daily Flickr Finds: Felix Oking's Borobudur

Submitted by Prad on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 15:36

Stitching together photographs to create a panorama is a powerful effect which can give an image a strong aesthetic appeal. Landscapes are in particular a good subject for a panoramic photograph, and this image by Felix Oking of Borobudur is an excellent example of the effect.

Borobudur, Indonesia is a huge Mahayan Buddhist temple complex, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues across six square platforms, topped by three circular platforms and constructed over an estimated 75 year period. Architecturally speaking, that's a biggie! Felix Oking's photograph is taken amongst the stupas overlooking the mountain on this ancient site, which for many centuries remained a deserted relic.

It was rediscovered when the region came under British colonial rule, and the governor - Thomas Stamford Raffles - paved the way for the restoration of Borobudur in 1814 when sending a Dutch engineer by the name of H.C. Cornelius who made the rediscovery of the temple. The temple underwent a restoration following a UNESCO grant in 1973 which saw Borobudur used to this day as a place of worship and pilgrimage.

Felix Oking has also put together a tutorial detailing how he created this beautiful photograph of this mystical place, which is definitely worth reading if you want to make your own panoramas. You can also read more about Borobudur here at Heritage Key, as well as seeing more photographs by Felix Oking at Flickr!

Read 6 comments, or leave your own

About The Author

Prad Patel

Last three pieces by this author:

Your World in 3D - Athens Recreated in Google Earth | Ancient World in London Videos - Now Available to Download from iTunes! | Daily Flickr Finds: Manju's London Sphinx

Prad "Praddles" Patel is Heritage Key's Media Co-ordinator. Coming from an Architectural background, he has been a keen technology enthusiast ever since he got given his first Tamagotchi. He is an artist and experienced virtual world developer, and has poked around in more social networks than he cares to think about.

Comments

Felix Oking:

Hi Prad,

Thanks for adding me! :)

Mon, 23-11-2009 20:35

Prad:

Thank you for sharing it with Heritage Key's Flickr group, Felix! =)

Tue, 24-11-2009 10:37

Barry Acott:

I believe that Borobudur is a monument not a temple.

Regards

Barry Acott

Sat, 16-01-2010 05:40

Barry Acott:

I believe that Borobudur is a monument not a temple.

Regards

Barry Acott

Sat, 16-01-2010 05:44

Prad:

Hi Barry - thanks for your comment!

Borobudur is indeed a monument, but it is also a temple - the two are not mutually exclusive. The original intention for the construction of Borobudur is unknown, which is why it is sometimes classed as a monument, but it was later used as a place of worship for Hindus and Buddhists, when it would have become a temple. UNESCO call the heritage site "Borobudur Temple Complex" but also refer to it as being a monument.

Mon, 18-01-2010 11:59

Barry Acott:

Hi Prad,

Thanks for your information regarding Borobudur.

Regards

Barry Acott

www.barryacott.com

Tue, 19-01-2010 01:52

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