HDR

Having a bit of a soft spot for HDR photography, this gorgeous photograph by rinogas of the Church of St. Simeon Stylites near Aleppo, Syria immediately caught my eye. The subtle and soft glow on the remains of the structure, combined with the wispy white clouds and contrasting greys of the sky creates a perfect picture of this well preserved heritage site.

The Wonders of the Ancient World were seven legendary structures which astounded the world, one of which included the magnificent Temple of Artemis, now reduced to just some pillars and rubble-ridden foundations. Nejdet Düzen's photograph of the remains of this Wonder still manage to convey beauty in this ancient site in Sardis. Through the richness of the lighting and vegetation, and the intricate details bought out by the HDR effect used, this image portrays the site beautifully.

I'm a particular fan of the subtle glow of the stone, and the mix of green and oranges in the surrounding landscape, making the whole scene blend in together - creating a scene in which the ancient relic belongs where it stands.

Torre de Hércules - or it's English name - Tower of Hercules, is a 55m Roman lighthouse which has stood at the La Coruña harbour in north-western Spain since the first century AD. With the HDR skill and beautiful lighting that only a talented photographer can bring together, Pablo Charlón has created this stunning image which brings drama and power to this magnificent relic.

There are myths that Hercules fought with the giant Geryon at this site for three days and three nights, and upon victory Hercules built this Tower on top of his bones. The tower remains the oldest Roman lighthouse in the world, and the only one to still be operational. It was also recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, joining the likes of famous ancient sites around the world.

The Foro Romano is a stunning relic of Roman architecture that remains in Rome, and is beautifully captured on High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging film by jaqudo who uses the technique to capture the details and perfect the shading in the photograph. Combined with an angle which accentuates the lines and structure of this iconic piece of Roman history.

The Roman Forum was the home of the Senate and venue to large public meetings, and was located in the centre of Rome and thus the heart of the Roman Empire. It was here where the economic, political and judicial systems were based.

Several temples, basilicas and arches were built in the Roman Forum, and the relics which remain today serve as one of the few remaining structures that survive in the city today.

jojofotografia's capture of the Pont du Gard in the South of France boasts a great HDR shot full of vibrancy and colour, reflecting the beauty of this ancient Roman aqueduct. The strong lines of the structure against the natural features of the water and green banks represent a strong contrast, and the lighting shows the richness of the stone. High dynamic range (HDR) imaging shots are ideal for bringing the colour out in an image, and jojofotografia has really done a stunning job in this photograph.

The Pont du Gard was originally thought to have been built by Augustus's son-in-law, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa in about 19BC, but recent excavations dispute this, dating it to the middle of the first century AD. The whole structure is built with precisely cut stones, eliminating the need for mortar and on completion allowed the transport of water across the Gardon river valley.

Lots of us would love to explore the ancient world, but we can't always travel as much as we'd like. A variety of things - disabilities, lack of money, fear of flying - can get between you and your globetrotting dreams.

As you can imagine, while working for Heritage Key I come across all sorts of content that sets me dreaming about distant lands. There are endless amounts of travel blogs, travel guides, and photoblogs, where people are generous enough to share their experiences in great detail. On Flickr alone there are millions of photos by professionals, amateurs and avid travellers.

Some sites offer a more immersive experience than others. As a keen armchair explorer, here are a few of my favourite destinations: