Salt or Wood ?

Awais Yaqub

We went to check out Salt mines and Chiniot city aka city of wood carving. It takes around 2 hours and 30min to reach Salt mines from Islamabad, and chiniot is around 1 and 1/2 hour drive from Khewra salt range, it is near my home town Faisalabad

Entering the mine






Different types of salt extracted from the mine lit with lights.

Mosque made of salt bricks



Model of Minar-e-Pakistan actually located in Lahore city


Really like this part of mine






Then we moved outside to buy some souvenirs, there are lots of shops making different stuff like Lamps, symbols carved from salt.


My friend had to book large order so we went to manufacturing facility, it was too hot so we were offered chilled 7up.


I saw a guy carving a lamp with machine in the facility.




Then we moved to Chiniot, the city known for its export quality carved furniture, my friend booked order to export to USA !


Hand made and hand painted chair.


Rikshaw driver in speed in narrow street!


Windows of old houses




Then we moved to historic Omer Hayat Palace, which was closed :rolleyes and light was dieing. The palace was built by business man of chiniot for his family, but they all died just after they moved to new home, then palace caught fire and part of it was destroyed, now some parts are in really good condition.



And we were waiting in the street for gate keeper as we requested him to open the palace for us.




Rikshaw drivers were also waiting for passengers right infront of palace!


Finally guy arrived and opened the door for us and allowed us to see the palace from inside, today it serves as library.




Light was almost gone and i had to rely on artificial lights :rolleyes







And light completely died and we moved back to Islamabad

SmugMug gallery

All photos with 7D + 17-40, thanks for looking.

Wil Davis

Amazing pictures! (…as usual!)

Nice job, Awais!



Thanks for sharing!

- Wil

BTW - couldn't help thinking about OSHA when looking at some of them…

…also, I've never been in one, but it's my understanding that the atmosphere in a salt-mine is incredibly dry - (comments?)

Awais Yaqub

Thanks Will

No issue with atmosphere, it was well ventilated and cool inside in warm season. There was Asthma clinic in there, it is said Salt mines help curing breathing issues like Asthma allergy etc.

coldclimb

Awesome!

dadwtwins

The Salt Mines looks like an awesome place to visit. I love your pictures of the people....simply excellent compositions

dantambok

excellent!

Awais Yaqub

Thank you friends !

DonRicklin

Yaqub, the carvings in this image look like they are carved in what I always thouhgt of as a 'soapstone'. I have some. Maybe they are in fact carved from the same as here?

I like this series. Such places are always of interest. And the man made things like shrines in the mines are interesting, too.

Don

Joie

Enjoyed this group of photos very much!

Awais Yaqub

DonRicklin wrote: »

Yaqub, the carvings in this image look like they are carved in what I always thouhgt of as a 'soapstone'. I have some. Maybe they are in fact carved from the same as here?

I like this series. Such places are always of interest. And the man made things like shrines in the mines are interesting, too.

Don

Thanks Don, try to taste it to see if it is made of salt or soapstone?

Awais Yaqub

Joie wrote: »

Enjoyed this group of photos very much!

Thank you Joie, glad you enjoyed them.

Ed911

Awais Yaqub wrote: »

Thank you Joie, glad you enjoyed them.

Thanks Awais...once again you took me for a nice little walk in your homeland...enjoyed your work...

Thanks for sharing.

Art Scott

Another amazing set of photos from the AWESOME Awais Yaqub

Awais Yaqub

Thanks Ed and Art, i am leaving for similar trip tomorrow.

silversx80

Fantastic series, Awais, as always. Thanks for sharing!

Blackwood

I absolutely love the third one (looks like a brick wall).

Well done.

Awais Yaqub

Thank you Joe and Marc!

tatunka2135

Wow!! Absolutely wonderful shots. I really love your lighting, especially the little tricks you used on the bricks, fantastic lights and wonderful composition!.

Tat

rteest42

your photos always make me smile...you live in a beautiful country!!

Awais Yaqub

Thank you Tat and Trish, glad you liked them.

ian408

that was a cool visit!

Awais Yaqub

Thanks Ian

grimace

Beautiful series. It's a wonderful look into a world few of us American ever get to see.

anonymouscuban

This is great set Awais. I part of the world I have not yet seen so thank you for the peak.

imagesofhim

Awais,

This is yet another AMAZING example of your talent and your "eye". I feel it only fair that I let you know how much I enjoy your photography--I feel it is a privilege to view your work and an honor to comment. Seeing your work lights a yearning in my photographic heart to do "shoot more; shoot better". You are truly and inspiration and your work is a blessing! Thank you for sharing!

Awais Yaqub

Thanks for bringing this thread again on 1st page, i am glad you enjoyed these. I appreciate your kind words, you are welcome for criticism, and any suggestions. thanks a lot.

chickendrop

Excellent set! That first shot of the guy carving the lamps is incredible. One of my favorite photos that I've seen in a while.

Awais Yaqub

chickendrop wrote: »

Excellent set! That first shot of the guy carving the lamps is incredible. One of my favorite photos that I've seen in a while.

Thanks dear

annnna8888

Brilliant, Awais! A great story with great photos and an informative insight into a different culture. You know I always like to see your posts and one day I am definitely going to visit your beautiful country.
Just one nit-pick: I understand the need for watermarks, but in some photos they really do take away from the viewing pleasure. Maybe make them smaller and less visible?

Ana

Awais Yaqub

annnna8888 wrote: »

Brilliant, Awais! A great story with great photos and an informative insight into a different culture. You know I always like to see your posts and one day I am definitely going to visit your beautiful country.
Just one nit-pick: I understand the need for watermarks, but in some photos they really do take away from the viewing pleasure. Maybe make them smaller and less visible?

Ana

Thanks Ana, everyone should visit Pakistan once in a life, it is very interesting country with so many faces. Regarding watermark, i always post photos with smaller watermark at 1st when post loses interest or it is old i simply turn on the larger one. I will replace watermark on this thread too, please check back later.

JonoB

The image of the gatekeeper really captures personallity and is almost like he is staring into your soul. Also, I find the images of the houses and windows visually pleasing.