Lepakshi - Time for an Offering Photo

Photographer’s Note

Remember the New-age priest, with a NOKIA 6600 mobile phone strapped to his waist?....We found out why he was here. A senior official from Archaeological Society of India was on an inspection tour of the temple & of course to offer his Puja (offerings) to the three Gods in this temple. He was a VIP no doubt who required a personal priest.

As the Puja ceremony was going on, I took this shot. The VIP & his wife have their backs towards me. The priest is in the process of blessing the VIP wife while his bare bodied deputy (!) & the VIP’s entourage are the other people in the frame.

Again, I shot this against strong sunlight coming from the background; gives an effect of a fluorescent white curtain!

pablominto, pranab, Gerrit, riclopes, ChrisJ, pierrefonds, atus, plimrn, anavazao, ramesh_lalwani, leo61, cjmm, emjleclercq, tcht has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pablominto (41372) 2006-05-09 1:34

Hello Angshuman,
Interesting situation... interesting story!
Good exposure in the backlight, giving nice effect when you succeed like this...
The ancient building interior makes up great framing!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Gerrit (36287) 2006-05-09 3:50

Hi Angshu,
very interesting scene and good result with the counterlight.
Thanks and regards, Gerrit

riclopes (33135) 2006-05-09 4:01

Hi Angshuman,
You definately are doing a great reportage from this historical site. I can imagine that you were here for days...
Interesting ceremony that you present us today, with an excellent framing by the pillars on the sides. Yes the backlight is a bit strong, but not too disturbing and you managed well its balance for the scene. Good timing in capturing the priest in a nice pose and position.
Friendly regards,
Ricardo

pranab (5354) 2006-05-09 4:11

angshu,
the backlight is a bit bothersome but not a big deal . you have managed to capture the details and the moment very well. your narration deserves credit to bring life to this frame too.

ChrisJ (70443) 2006-05-09 4:36

Hi Angshuman

Another fine entry in this series. I like the contrast between the colorful real life people in a daily life situation, & the stone sculptures, evoking a past era.

pierrefonds (26659) 2006-05-09 8:07

Hi Angshuman,

A good POV of the Puja ceremony, the photo has a good composition and nice colors.

Pierre

atus (15476) 2006-05-09 8:11

Hello Angshu,
very interesting shot here. Well composed with good lighting despite the not really favorable light conditions.Compliments and best regards.
Attila

plimrn (19720) 2006-05-09 9:23

Hi Angshu,
As everyone else has commented, you managed the difficult lighting well getting good details in the main characters and using the light to show the lovely red-gold color of the temple.
Regards, Pat

anavazao (5592) 2006-05-09 10:04

Hi,
I aggre with my friend pablominto!
Great colours, composition, perspective!
Thanks Ana:)

pastadog (12821) 2006-05-09 12:44

Hi Angshuman - I like how we are already familiar with the site, and the characters like the girl in pink and this priest. You found a very interesting POV and you achieved an excellent composition, framed by the pillars. The clothes and hair ornamanet of the VIP woman are very nice - we can also partially see another woman, in blue and yellow, on the left. And the mood of this ceremony well caught too. Congratulations, Daniel

leo61 (43772) 2006-05-09 14:49

Hi Angshu!
Good shot of this ceremony.Good contrast between the people and the stones and nice light.
Regards,LEO

emjleclercq (14514) 2006-05-09 16:54

Another had try again shooting against the light, with a rather good result. I do not think you expected the priest to move so quick in his blessing gesture. An original scene which fits well in our sculpted temple.

All the best,

Emmanuel

Kenny10pin (19301) 2006-05-09 22:07

very nice cultural shot, I like the angle and the colours, really nice one

cjmm (4019) 2006-05-10 10:30

Hi Angshu,

I like very much how you pushed contrast in this image, that and the very light background give the photo the photo a strong 3D feeling.

As usual with your pics, the sharpness, DOF and details are brilliant.

Best regards,
Carlos

tcht (7298) 2006-05-11 5:36

Hi Angshu,
That light is very good here. And good compo of sitting people and 'people' carved on of the columns. Perhaps I'd prefer the priest to be sharper but I like the atmosphere you've captured. Good documentary :)
CheukHin

rabdelnoor (2973) 2006-05-20 18:16

Hi Angshu,
Nice timing capturing the ceremony. Great light and sharpness and also a very good DOF.
Take care
Ricardo