Kendo Practice, a photo from Aomori, Tohoku

Photographer's Note

Made a few changes based on the original critiques: cropped the floor a bit, added more space to top, lightened up the white part of uniform and sharpened the mask part even more. Unfortunately I was not able to get the whole shinai bamboo sword in the frame.

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I saw a group of students practicing Kendo in a building. I like how it was partly open to the outside. Kendo is a Japanese martial art originally practiced by the samurai class to improve swordmanship and instill a sense of discipline.

hispic, jackpkn, pranab, dragonslayero, WooDs, ManuMay has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mdchachi (1617) 2003-07-23 13:22

I find this shot does have more impact. I really like this composition.

colinbrenchley (6209) 2005-01-27 6:26

Good composition - background out of focus adds impact

pranab (5354) 2006-04-15 3:30

adam,
it is a pity that you did not get the whole shinai in the frame, any how being a martial artist myself this picture holds a different meaning.
practicing kendo as a prelude to real sword training is an essential part. the student and his/her posture in ready stance and concentration is accentuated by the lighter background.
hopefully we'll see more martial art shots from you later.
tfs.

Peter_rggu (193) 2006-07-14 11:33

Hi, Adam!
I like kendo, watched some programs, but have never seen it alive, also I had many lections about japanese culture, so this martial art can make us undestand japanese culture and ourselves better.
Nice picture!
Best regards
Peter

dragonslayero (3116) 2006-08-02 16:17

Hello Adam

A nice photo of a person practising Kendo.
But I feel that the photo is cropped wrong.
It doesn't leave the correct perspective.
Like it is now it is hard to really imagine what he is training, is he sparring against an opponent or is he simply practising by himself?
Quite a bit of noise in the photo too.
Dark colours.
I'm sorry but this just doesn't get me very excited.

Odd Jarle

hantulaut (3441) 2006-08-22 11:30

The blurry BG gives more strenght to the man on pic.
Nice shot :-)

lu_muratori (618) 2006-08-24 0:35

Hi Adam,
I love this image, the composition is `awesome, I like the fact that you've cropped it and made it square.I like it more than the original version.
Regards,
Luci

ManuMay (33357) 2007-01-17 5:43

Hi Adam!!

Thanks for sharing!
I love your picture point of view, and contrast it catch a intense moment full of force in contrast to back image.

Best regards.

Manuel