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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
| The Baci ceremony is a ritual used to well-wish for many events: marriage, birth, travel, etc... A number of people sit around the Phakhouan (the spirit tray), which is decorated with flowers, folded bananas leaves and branches with white cotton strings hanging down; bananas, broiled eggs, pastries, liquors and money are placed surrounding the base of the PhaKhouan as offering to the spirits in attendance. The ceremony will not happen if there is no MorPhorn (Wish priest). Usually an elder who spent some times as a Monk - presides over the ritual. He lights the candals which have been placed on top of Phakhouan. He then gives prayers while all attendance hold their hands in a prayer-like, palm-together pose. If there are too many participants for everyone to reach the base of the PhaKwan, it's permissible to touch the elbow of some who can reach it, thus forming a human chain. Later everyone takes a white string and ties around each wrist of the honored guests while wishpering a short, well-wishing recitation. Foods and drinks are served after the ceremony and following with a party. |
Miks, Galeota, KevinRL, ngythanh, bboss has marked this note useful
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- Miks
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 496 W: 69 N: 219]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(1703) - [2005-01-23 0:44]
- [+]
Good one Thien. The serious faces and the hard lighting brings out intense atmosphere of the ceremony well. Exposition is good, the texture in the monks outfit is good. I find the slight tilt pretty distracting, but I realize that correcting it would cut of the ear of the man on the right.
Thank you also on the informative note.
I really like the various facial expressions they range from the very serious to the meloncholy and the one in the way back seems so happy and relaxed.
The black and white is great and the pattern of the floor leads the eye to the tray with the offerings. The tilt is a bit rough but not a major distraction. It appears that they were very tight spaces.
Hello Thien, this is a fine composition and your b&w conversion allows a good range of tones to this contrasty and sharp image.
I would have prefered that the manon the right wasn't looking at you. That would have allowed you to be part of the scene without giving the impression to the viewer that you are "invading" their intimacy. Good work nevertheless.
This looks to be a very serious ceremony.
Great expressions on the faces.
Good to see your photos from your most recent trip Thien, are you glad that you chose Luang Prabang?
Thanks for this posting.
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 118 W: 38 N: 219]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}