Obelisk of Theodosius

Standing in the heart of Sultanahmet Square, this ancient Egyptian obelisk rises dramatically against Istanbul's iconic skyline, offering a rare opportunity to juxtapose 3,500-year-old carved hieroglyphics with the domes and minarets of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in a single frame. The carved reliefs on the base depicting Emperor Theodosius are rich in detail and reward a closer, tighter composition with a 50mm or short telephoto lens. Shoot from a low angle looking upward to emphasize the obelisk's height and include the sky, or pull back wide to place it within the surrounding square and architecture. Early morning gives you the softest light and far fewer tourists, which matters in a space this busy. The square is fully pedestrianized and accessible at all hours, so you have freedom to move around all four sides and experiment with different backgrounds. (Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey)