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Tibetan Prayer Technology - II


Tibetan Prayer Technology - II
Photo Information
Copyright: Vincent Zolt (vincz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 87 N: 5049] (17510)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-21
Categories: Daily Life, Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 300 D
Exposure: f/11, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Your favorites, Your top rated [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-09-20 22:29
Viewed: 1621
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 110
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Prayer flags belong to the himalayan landscape, as much as mobile phones antennas belong to ours. Rather than distributing electromagnetic waves, they distribute prayers and mantras along the wind. Rather than helping people babble with each other, they help people stay tuned with their inner self and with the gods. While people here are concerned with bad consequences on their health if they leave in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations, people there plant as many as they can all around, knowing by tradition that they bring happiness, long life and prosperity to the flag planter and those in the vicinity.

Such forests of prayer flags are found everywhere in Bhutan, on hilltops, in forest clearings, on top of rocky outcrops, at river confluences and near temples. They are replaced once or twice a year by local people, who print them from wooden blocks, take them to a lama to be consecrated, and fix them to bamboo poles. Here at Cheli La Pass (3800m) on the way between Paro and the Ha Valley in West Bhutan.

Tibetan Prayer Technology - I : Prayer Wheels
Tibetan Prayer Technology - II : Prayer Flags

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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To kevinos: Bhutanvincz 1 09-22 05:19
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Critiques [Translate]

An interesting and original shot Vincent. It looks like really bright and harsh lighting conditions, not only being in Bhutan but with all the snow around. On one hand, I think it is too cluttered and really don't like it too much. On the other hand, the mountains and the dramatic looking clouds in the background look really good, providing a perfect backdrop for the prayer flags. I think it is the white flags on the left that sort of make it a bit cluttered looking, with all the grass and rocks scattered on the mountain top. Still, it's a good photo. Original, with a great note to match.

Nice work.
John

Amazing cloud. Very dramatic. Beautiful colors. And the light is great here, showing all the details in the photograph. Well done. Sothy

  • Great 
  • japiey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1823 W: 330 N: 2565] (9281)
  • [2007-09-20 22:40]

Hi Vincent.

Beautifull framing...
Good inclusion of the subject..
Excellent details..
Fine tones and lights..
Salutes, dear Vincent.

jean paul

Hello,
This is a wonderfull shot full of meaning and then whith all the qualities of a great shot. It is a so pure atmosphere. Your comment is really nice and instructiv. Thanks for sharing.
Claude.

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1353 W: 63 N: 1736] (6029)
  • [2007-09-20 23:27]

Bonjour Vincent,
Fine image of strong contrasts thanks to the snow and the clouds. I think moving in closer would have increased the impact of the composition. Still a very nice image. Regards,
Hakan

Hi Vincent,amazing cloud,beautiful colors,excellent details,Well done.Hadi

A very wild and windswept landscape with amazing colors, Vince. Both the land and the sky are full of movement. This image is full of excitement. I do find problems with using western, Christian words for Buddhist objects, since, because the very basis of the beliefs are so different, they usually lead to misunderstanding and. this is true with the term 'prayer flags' , which implies that it is something like theistic prayer, which making merit is not at all. However, they always are called prayers flags in English. But I digress, it is an amazing image. I was thinking of going to Bhutan soon, I was wondering, did you find it difficult to get a visa. regards kevin

Bonjour VIncent
Tres interesant, je toruve que ta note ilustre tres bien la photo et la photo est fait d'une facon tres artistique,
tres bien fait
A+
Daniel

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  • jasmis Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2841 W: 609 N: 3010] (36419)
  • [2007-09-21 1:27]

Really amazing and severe landscape. Superb sharpnes of the photo.
Regards.

hi vencent....
nature and hgihlights of culture is mixed here with your informative note... good landscape with superb shades! nice sky and ground...
greetings...

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4608 W: 119 N: 429] (40511)
  • [2007-09-21 1:31]

Hi Vincent,
interesting view and reportage, nice colours, beautiful light and clouds. Amazing flags. Good Asiatic serie.
Gr., Aleksander

Bonjour,
Encore un système pratique pour obtenir des grâces !
Bonne journée.
clnaef

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  • delkoo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3670 W: 226 N: 4713] (23237)
  • [2007-09-21 2:44]

bonjour vincent
comme une armée pacifique ces drapeaux se dressent sur la montagnes, distribuant des prieres au monde entier.
tres beaux nuages dans le fond.
didier

Hi Vincent,
Fascinating impression, composition is great. I like the mystical and particular atmosphere, skys is amazing. Colours are very fine, details are interesting and attractive. Original and spectacular image, Very well done! Have a nice weekend
George

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  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 12313 W: 244 N: 16163] (64644)
  • [2007-09-21 4:38]

Hello Vincent,

The clouds in background are very lovely, almost a decoration to the foreground.
Excellent composition and nice soft colours too.

Bon weekend,
John.

Hi Vincent,
Very interesting compostion. Those tiny red flag are so small, but so important for the composition in colour and detail...really excellent how you placed them ont he white snow and the big fat clouds in the background.
A picture that needs a study, excellent result.
Have a nice weekend, Henk

Bonjour Vincent
Je trouve la lumière exceptionnelle, le ciel superbement bleu qui donne un bon contraste avec la neige bien exposée. J'aime bien la comparaison (ds ta note) entre les forets de drapeaux à prière et nos maudites antennes . J'ai pourtant moi même un "mobile"....Les nuages ajoutent beaucoup de caractère à la photo.
Amicalement
Marilyn

It really is a forest of prayer flags; I've not seen them like this before. I like all the small specks of strong colours against the blue and white background, and the clouds are wonderful. Very interesting.
Kath

Hi Vincent!

Great continuation from your previous post, but even better this time. This one is trully magic, a place of enchanting beuaty. Excellent composition and magnificent colours for this great artistic photo. Congratulations, my dear friend!

Hercules

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  • stego Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3422 W: 580 N: 4435] (13554)
  • [2007-09-21 10:41]

Salut Vincent,
The flags make a curious pattern, the colours of those on the bg making a nice contrast with the rest. The clouds over the mountains on the distance enhance a certain sense of glory. Interestingly, one of the things that makes it attractive is the nice visual balance, something that is a bit unexpected with the relative chaos of the flags.
Amicalement, José.

This is very interesting, Vincent, you have good eyes, and also good sensibility, indeed, this tradition is very nice to my taste, I much like it, and you have well done the image, with excellent qulity under all POVs, compliments.
Have a nice WE
Ciao
Vinicio

Salut Vincent,
C'est une belle image, tu as capté de beaux contrastes, avec un ciel profond.
J'aime beaucoup,
Bonne soirée,
JB.

  • Great 
  • crckt Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1322 W: 68 N: 1250] (6353)
  • [2007-09-21 15:47]

Hi Vincent,
The prayer flags look lovely here, amongst the snow and the clouds. Wonderfully composed and well taken.
Regards,
Shaeri

  • Great 
  • Emile Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3947 W: 137 N: 4212] (15475)
  • [2007-09-21 22:43]

Hola Vincent.
Very interesting picture and note, very well captured with good colors and perspective, good point of view, amazing clouds.
Well done. TFS.
Have a nice weekend.
Best regards.

  • Great 
  • Gerrit Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4005 W: 82 N: 4827] (23651)
  • [2007-09-21 23:58]

Hi Vioncent,
the clouds are realy magnificient here, as if you can eat them. Beautiful composition too.
Regards, Gerrit

  • Great 
  • alainh Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4036 W: 141 N: 6456] (30743)
  • [2007-09-22 0:07]

salut Vincent
ce sont ces superbes formations nuageuses qui ont retenu mon attention. la suite est que du bonus.
une image d'un autre temps.
bon week-end Vincent
amicalement
alain

very informative note and a colurful pic... the light on the flag poles looks great also the blue sky behind... have a good weekend vincent...

cheers

korkut

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9295 W: 445 N: 14628] (51375)
  • [2007-09-22 9:28]

very good photo Vincent,
the pov is very nice, good details and a fantastic sky, good light, well seen shot, good photojob have a nice day.
gr. jaap

great religius voyage to the other site of the earth....captured with exelland way and the notes is spledid company in this superb presendation...my compliments for this Vincent
Amities

nf

Hi Vincent,
An interesting scenery! Excellent sharpness, superb POV and beautiful sky.
Have a nice sunday.
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • atus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2278 W: 200 N: 4321] (14508)
  • [2007-09-23 1:44]

Very well captured and nicely framed shot with all these prayers' flags in the fg., placed in the snow. The contrast between the bright fg. and the blue bg is very nice. The clouds are dramatic and amazing at the same time.
Tfs and best regards.
Attila

Hi Vincent,
Those flags makes a very interesting foreground against a fantastic cloud formation. Very good description regarding the scene ... well written. The snow gives a good contrast and the distant mountain gives depth... wonderfully captured and composed with good image quality. Well done! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

  • Great 
  • Stepan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4853 W: 93 N: 3788] (24736)
  • [2007-09-23 2:21]

Cette série est super bien vue et j'espère que tu as plein de technologies à présenter.
La note est top et son illustration est très bien, avec cette belle bande de nuages au loin.
Très sympa, très juste.
Stéphane

Hello Vincent,
An interesting documentary, made into a fine photograph!
The sky is amazing with wonderful cloud formations, and the snow late in April tells about the altitude in this place!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • gary91 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1988 W: 481 N: 2900] (13165)
  • [2007-09-23 3:36]

Salut Vincent,
Cette forêt de drapeaux est vraiment impressionnante. Les nuages superbes du fond apportent beaucoup à l'ensemble de l'image. Peut-être un poil trop d'accentuation ?
Bon dimanche à toi.
Amicalement, Christian

It is almostas if the prayer flags have summoned the gods in the clouds. A very nice layering of textures.
Phil

Bonjour, Vincent. Je préfère de loin les drapeaux de prières aux antennes de télécommunication. Ici, la neige et les nuages servent d'excellentes toiles de fond à ces prières qui flottent au vent.

Salut Vincent,
Très belles formations nuageuses et le contraste entre le bleu profond et le blanc est superbe, bien réalisé.
Amicalement
Christian

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  • plimrn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3601 W: 226 N: 4770] (15178)
  • [2007-09-23 10:25]

Bonjour Vincent,
I particularly like the detail of the clouds; the forest of sticks shows the harsh wind on this mountain top and the need to replace the flags frequently. Your description of the huge effort required to replace them show how highly they are valued as does your almost poetic note.

I aslso found your note to Kevin extremely interesting and informative. Thank you for including the information in the forum where we can all benefit.

SAJ, Pat

Hmmm,
Very impressive and effective means of communication. I thought their individual prayers were already quite enough for communicating with god...
Very interesting cultural share, and the clouds power up the meaning of the photo. Congrats Mr. Zolt,
Deniz

Hi Vincent
Great composition of these flags against the blue aky and nice clouds.
Regards

  • Great 
  • siolaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3785 W: 393 N: 6193] (21216)
  • [2007-09-24 0:15]

Salut Vincent,
Une jolie foret de drapeaux a prières dans la neige(je n'en ai pas vu depuis 83!) avec en toile de fond l'Himalaya recouvert de gros nuages... Tu as beneficie d'une bonne lumière,donc les couleurs ressortent bien
Une belle image du Bhoutan
Amicalement
Laurent

  • Great 
  • faubry Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3497 W: 345 N: 4195] (27131)
  • [2007-09-24 0:44]

superbe image de cette region encore trop meconnue, ici nous pouvons voir les coutumes religieuses ,de plus les couleurs et la texture sont superbement rendues, bravo
bon dimanche
francine

  • Great 
  • Angshu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4764 W: 166 N: 7285] (23696)
  • [2007-09-24 0:55]

Hello Vincent
Beautifully written note, loved reading the first paragraph. The poetic note goes well with the poetic picture. The cluttered flags standing on the white snow, somehow to me appears to radiate peace...and I can hear the gentle sound of the wind. The clouds in the BG are awesome. Wonderful.
Regards
Angshu

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  • Tue Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5106 W: 56 N: 7194] (23035)
  • [2007-09-24 5:32]

Hej Vincent,
This is a very nice photo of this forest of prayer flags and the note is really interesting. The repetitive effect is nice and the colours look fine. The clouds are a beautiful background for it. Very well done!
Regards,
Lars

What an amazing light you caught here. Great shot. Nice work and interesting note
Best wishes,
Achim

Hi Vincent
Amazing clouds and colours in this very nice composition.I like your point of view and the pure atmosphere.
Very good graphism and details
TFS and greetings
Aires

Hi vincent,
You have presented a very interesting and fascinating cultural behavior in a very sensitive and beautiful with with a very low angle shot looking up to the skies of which you speak. Very good work and TFS. Gerald

Very inspirational - and different from other passes that one can see in other areas with the same culture.
TFS,
Cath.

Bonjour Vincent,

Magnifique idée, cette composition. Vraiment très bien vu !
Marie

Bonjour Vincent,
Très beau coup d'oeil ici; une image pleine de vie, avec les beaux contrastes de couleurs partout, la finesse des détails, la lumière éclatante. Ton point de vue nous montre tant de choses, la neige, les drapeaux, les montagnes sombres en arrière-fond, le ciel et ses nuages cotonneux, c'est tout simplement superbe et accompagné d'une note très intéressante. J'aime beaucoup beaucoup.

Merci
Michèle

  • Great 
  • Wanda1 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1192 W: 21 N: 1404] (7527)
  • [2007-11-06 21:07]

Hi Vincent,
I am sorry that I missed this one before, beacuse it is splendid. I love all these prayer flags sticking out of the snow, and your word 'forest' to describe them is great, because it does indeed look like a small forest. The dramatic clouded sky in the background is wonderful too and the snow makes it even more magical.
Regards
Wanda

Ohh Paro is so beutiful, one of my all time fav place. Great that you visited this less known place.

There are comparatively few photos of this small, landlocked nation in TE. I have a good friend who lived here for several years and tells me about the incredible culture. He has many artifacts in his home that he was able to bring back with him including flags like this, tapestries, rugs and traditional clothing. I like this colourful composition against the snow and attractive sky. I think that it may be to cluttered as John says, but it is realistic, as it were when you saw it. Well done, not many people get to see this, Vince.

Matt

Hi, Vincent -

Very interesting photo and very much in the TE genre. I have always found it kind of odd the way Buddhists outsource prayers, as it were; in the western tradition, the act of saying a prayer is beneficial to the person, while in Buddhism it seems more to be for the benefit of the gods.

While the picture is technically good, I don't find it particularly artistic. But art is not the point here; it is educational. TFS.

Best,
Dan

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