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Quiet and Dignified Beauty


Quiet and Dignified Beauty
Photo Information
Copyright: Vincent Zolt (vincz) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2998 W: 85 N: 5049] (17514)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-11-30
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, 67 mm HOYA Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/8, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Back to Laos after 20 years
Theme(s): Your top rated [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-01-09 22:06
Viewed: 1096
Points: 120
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Wat Xieng Thong, the most striking of all Luang Prabang's temple, lies in a tranquil compound located on the scenic peninsula formed by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. The temple's ordination hall was built in 1560. Its sweeping roofs are considered the definition of the Luang Prabang style of architecture. The front gable ends are richly decorated with intricate gold designs on red ochre background. The columns are a rich lacquer-like black with gold stenciling.

Local folklore tells that when the people of Luang Prabang were first cleaning the land to build this temple, they came across a magnificent Thong tree the colour of red lacquer. To commemorate this centuries old tree and the brightly coloured flowers that surrounded it, they created a richly decorated mosaic (The "Tree of Life" mosaic above) on the rear wall of the ordination hall using red glass inlay. Nature has long since added its own touches to this picturesque setting. A profusion of bougainvillea and bamboo fills the adjacent compound, lending this royal temple an air of quiet and dignified beauty.

Since the first time I visited this temple in 1989, it remained in my mind as one of the nicest and most delicate piece of architecture I have ever seen in the world. This became kind of an idiealistic vision it seems and I started to picture it in my mind on top of a hill overlooking the city. When I came back in december I was very surprised when realizing that I did not not have to climb any hill to get there. It was just at street level! However I discovered later that I did not use the entrance I used many years ago. The main entrance is indeed on top of a large stairway that runs up from the river. If you get there someday, which I highly recommend, use the main entrance following the Mekong bank from the city center!

PixelTerror, marjan, daddo, fayeulle, kiwi_explorer, patdeph, besnard, Dyerco, dip, albertopiubello, danos, riclopes, hgupta, cunejo200, feather, jhm, gildasjan, saylan-cb, Photo65Net, Emile, MLINES, axiotea, AiresSantos, carper, sacavem, gary91, ChrisJ, Wanda1, Budapestman, papagolf21, JCG, josepmarin, japiey, Scharan, crckt, stego has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To batalay: 40Dvincz 1 01-13 15:02
To emka: Thanks!vincz 1 01-10 13:54
To siolaw: Cadrage...vincz 1 01-10 00:25
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • daddo Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1664 W: 29 N: 1704] (7796)
  • [2008-01-09 22:13]

Hi Vincent. A very beautiful building, obviously cared for. Lovely PoV that enables us to enjoy the multiple aspects of the site. Fine light and excellent clarity.A very apt title. Regards. Klaudio.

  • Great 
  • marjan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1148 W: 75 N: 880] (5498)
  • [2008-01-09 22:14]

hi Vincent, ver good shot with nice perspective and good composition. I miss litlle sky on he top. Still this is excelent photo with good useful notice.
Marjan

salut Vincent
Encore un excellent cadrage pour ce temple. J'aime ces couleurs polarisées.
Amicalement
JP

Hi Vincent.

Ah.....nice, nice picture. MAybe I'd take the picture 4-5 steps back trying not to cut the top of the building and the white "wall" but...excellent!

Rgs, Oscar

Hi Vincent,
here u have very nice POV.The roof architecture is very attractive.
Regards,
Ambar

Hi Vincent,
Lovely architecture really worth preserving. Your notes are very informative too. I like the framing created by the trees ... nice contrast too. Well capturd and composed. Well done! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

bonjour Vincent
superbe petit temple vraiment bien cadré dans la verdure qui l'entoure!Les couleurs sont enchanteresses,le bleu et le blanc donnant un formidable contraste!C'est magnifique!
Je te souhaite une bonne journée.
Pascale

Bonjour Vincent
Très beau cliché de ce temple à l'architecture exotique pour nous et d'une grande netteté.
Bravo - merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

  • Great 
  • Dyerco Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1240 W: 13 N: 1261] (5340)
  • [2008-01-09 22:58]

Well done Vincent. You have a pleasing POV and the exposure shows all the detail in what is a contraty situation.
Phil

  • Great 
  • Stepan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4984 W: 93 N: 3865] (25424)
  • [2008-01-09 23:07]

Je trouve cette architecture superbe, si élancée, si fine, si subtile... C'est super, tout simplement, et dans une lumière idéale.
Stéphane

Bonjour Vincent,
j'ai des très bons souvenirs de ce temple magnifique.
Malheureusement je l'avais visité en juin et le ciel était gris... Ici, par contre, il y a un excellent contraste entre le temple et le bleu du ciel.
Bonne journée
Alberto

  • Great 
  • MarcT Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1700 W: 512 N: 3286] (13385)
  • [2008-01-09 23:50]

Salut Vincent,
C'est un merveilleux petit temple à échelle humaine. Le volume et les couleurs sont bien rendus.
Petits regrets sur le sommet du toit fleurtant trop avec le cadre.
Amitiés
Marc

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4775 W: 120 N: 462] (41859)
  • [2008-01-10 0:14]

Vincent bonjour,
beautiful architecture of temple, an interesting informations. Well quality of photo. I like it. Well done.
Gr., Aleksander

  • Great 
  • dip Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 0 N: 907] (8791)
  • [2008-01-10 0:28]

Hi Vincet,
very beautiful architecture,good exposure and clarity,
interesting note too,well done,
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Salut Vincent
Superbe ce petit temple, c'est un style assez différent de celui des pays alentour! Lumière et couleurs optimales, netteté parfaite... on dirait que tu étais le dos au mur pour le faire tenir en entier dans le cadre!(en haut et en bas ;D) sinon je pense qu'il y avait la place pour cadrer un poil sur la droite pour avoir le temple en entier a l'arrière , mais je dis ça pour chipoter un peu! C'est super beau!
Laurent

Hi Vincent, again very nice shot from next great place. Superb architecture!

TFS and regards,
Philip

  • Great 
  • danos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3320 W: 83 N: 4773] (18116)
  • [2008-01-10 1:06]

Salut Vincent,
very nice composition with a great perspective and POV of this splendid Wat Xieng Thong,temple.Excellent the lighting conditions as the colours that you well managed and captured.The decoration of the temple is superb as the slope roofs.The contrasted colours are perfect as the sharpness and the clarity.Informative your note too.

Regards,Danos

  • Great 
  • jasmis Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2895 W: 618 N: 3129] (37857)
  • [2008-01-10 1:34]

Superb place, amazing temple. Impressive exotic climate of this photo.
Regards!

  • Great 
  • delkoo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3718 W: 235 N: 4809] (23724)
  • [2008-01-10 2:24]

bonjour vincent
sympathique petit temple au milieu des arbres, merci pour cette carte postale du Laos.
didier

Salut Voisin !
chouette petit temple et une vue pleine de lumiere, j'aime toujours bien ces pointes au dessus du toit meme si je les associe plus a l'indonesie, le ciel est d'un bleu superbe.
Bonne journee JY

Good advice in your last sentence ;-) Without any doubt the most beautiful temple of all. Again, you are tempting me to search my one photos with the decorations of the festival included...but I want to finish the tribes first. I remember that the light for these decorations was very dificult to manage. Good angle with nice colors. The compo is a bit tight but it works well. Excellent note. It's a pleasure to see these photos of yours.
ric

Vincent,

Amazing picture. What beautiful colors and I am impressed the way you have captured every minute detail in the picture. Sharpness is perfect.Regards,

Hemant

Hello Vincent,
The temple is attractively presented with terrific details. Well metered and with beautiful colors. Greetings! Danilo

Halfway through your note I was thinking "I bet he got the impression of a hill because he arrived by boat and had to climb up from the river" Continued reading proved me right. ;D It was the first place we visited after arriving by river. It is indeed a beautiful wat and a must see for everyone visiting Luang Prabang.
Your perspective composition has the advantage of showing the tree of life and the typical roof style and decoration. Good work
Kath

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 12528 W: 269 N: 16557] (66204)
  • [2008-01-10 4:29]

Hello Vincent,

Thank you for your informative note.
Very well contrasted image through the white foreground.
The decoration of the temple is superb as the slope roofs. Very good shot with nice perspective and good composition.

Have a nice day,
John.

Bonjour Vincent
Un contraste avec le pola qui fait bien claquer la texture de ce temple.La composition est également très bien agencée.
Bonne journée.
Amicalement
Gildas

Hello Vinc,
Thank you for sharing this great architecture well captured by you in good pov, beautiful colouration and details to view and enjoy!
very good informative notes to share too!
best regards
Tony

Hi Vincent!
Lovely picture of this temple....I remember it myself from 2 years ago. You have captured it perfectly I think, in such wonderful light. Your notes are great, and I agree, this is really the definitive style of Luang Prabang's temples. I wish I was there now. Keep up the great work, cheers, from Canada,
Steve

Salut Vincent,
Une belle mise en valeur de l'architecture originale, avec de belles couleurs.
J'aime bien comme ton cadrage utilise la perspective.
Bonne soirée,
JB.

  • Great 
  • Emile Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4081 W: 137 N: 4393] (15973)
  • [2008-01-10 12:49]

Hola Vincent.
Interesting and impressive temple captured with a good POV, good colors and sharpness, very good details and well framed.
Well done. TFS.
Best regards.

  • Great 
  • emka Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 460 W: 19 N: 1080] (7927)
  • [2008-01-10 13:30]
  • [+]

Hi Vincent,

It is far more interesting to see photos of the things you know. So I look at all your pictures from Laos with great interest. Louang Prabang is such incredible city, with all those temples, buddhist monks and Mekong river. I loved it. Of course, I visited this little temple too. Splendid is this tree of life mosaic and those tourqoise elements. unfortunately I have no good photos. But now I can see your wonderful pictures.


Regards


Malgorzata

  • Great 
  • MLINES Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1970 W: 171 N: 1989] (8742)
  • [2008-01-10 17:26]

Hi Vincent. I like this scene very much. The structure is very much like Thai buildings that are always a delight to see. Your provide a well cropped and uncluttered photo. TFS. Murray.

  • Great 
  • Angshu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4926 W: 169 N: 7579] (24748)
  • [2008-01-10 19:54]

Hello Vincent
I could not capture this whole view, but thanks to your wide angle, you did. The Tree of Life mosaic is beautifully depicted. I like the twin perspective depicted here from this angle. Well done.
Best Regards
Angshu

Bonjour Vincent
La lumière est belle et rehausse bien les détails de ce joli temple, avec sur la façade, l'arbre de vie que j'ai de suite remarqué. Des couleurs bien rendues et un cadrage adéquate.
A+
Marilyn

Fascinating temple, it have wonderful decorations and pretty garden around it, interesting place indeed, well done Vincent, compliments.
Ciao
Vinicio

Hi Vincent
Beautiful place... amazing architecture in this very good composition. Lovely POV, excellent clarity.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Aires

Hi Vincent
Great shot with nice perspective and good composition.
Well done.
TFS/Regards

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9495 W: 448 N: 15121] (53026)
  • [2008-01-12 1:03]

very nice photo Vincent.
good point of view the angle is good. I think that your superwide lens 10-22 was better for a shot like this, but even I like the good job, fine light and good contrast, good photojob, have a good weeekend.
gr. jaap

Hi Vincent, great view of lovely architecture with splendid colors, very well done, have a great week end, ciao Silvio

Salut Vincent,
un bon angle pour nous montrer cet édifice, on apprécie avec la bonne netteté la richesse et les détails de la décoration, dépaysante (pour moi) photo.

  • Great 
  • gary91 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2074 W: 486 N: 3036] (13785)
  • [2008-01-12 4:07]

Bonjour Vincent,
Plus tu publies des images de ce pays et plus je me dis que c'est vraiment un endroit à découvrir d'urgence !
Bon angle de prise de vue qui met bien en valeur ce temple magnifique.
Bon week-end à toi.
Amicalement, Christian

  • Great 
  • ChrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 8700 W: 916 N: 11538] (55985)
  • [2008-01-12 4:26]

Salut Vincent

I recall this wonderful place in LP. Perhaps I'd warm the image a little, by adding some yellow to the fg & Wat. Good sharpness & composition. Tfs! Bon travail!

Bonjour,
Etonnante architecture bien mise en évidence par un bon cadrage.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hi Vincent,
Exquisite detail on this amazing building. Your angle at which you have taken the shot is nice so that we can see two different sides of it. Nice work!
Regards
Wanda

Hi Vincent,
This is great, really beautiful architecture image with attractive composition. I like the rich and decorative details, colours are picturesque. Very well done! Have a nice weekend
George

Bonjour Vincent,
Ton titre sied parfaitement à cette belle et douce photo. Il en émane une atmosphère paisible que j'aime beaucoup et qui nous est si utile, dans nos vies à 100 à l'heure.
Bonne soirée,
Marianne

  • Great 
  • Fis2 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2422 W: 140 N: 1394] (32011)
  • [2008-01-12 10:43]

Czesc Vincent!
Piekna egzotyczna dla mnie architektura. Ladny kadr, kolory i swiatlo. Dobra robota.
Pozdrawiam
Krzystzof

Bonsoir, cher Vincent,
Je reste toujours sous le charme en admirant ces temples d'une grande richesse architecturale. La richesse de ces décors, de ce travail soigné et méticuleux.
En un mot : la beauté à l'état pur !
Un grand merci, Vincent, pour le partage.
Amitiés.
Philippe

salut vincent
un temple bien typique de ce pays, bien cadré sous une belle lumiére et un ciel bleu, c'est propre et net comme boulot
amitiés
gilbert

Hello Vincent,
Good point of view gives fine dynamics with attractive lines!
The architecture is captured with sharp fine details, great colours in the good light...
Greetings,
Pablo -

:-) OK-

  • Great 
  • JCG Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3211 W: 412 N: 4530] (16190)
  • [2008-01-13 6:34]

Bonjour Vincent,

Une image pleine d'exotisme c'est le moins que l'on puisse dire. Les belles conditions climatiques mettent bien en valeurs tous les détails de ce joli et coloré temple, très intéressant comme l'est ta note, merci du partage Vincent.

Avec toutes mes amitiés et une bonne fin de WE,

Jean-Charles

OLa Vincent
Que magnifica arquitectura deste templo , belos detalhes , gostei muito dos telhados , bom contraste de cores, bom enquadrament da foto , parabens!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

  • Great 
  • TopGeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1949 W: 79 N: 2569] (11787)
  • [2008-01-13 8:42]

Hi Vincent! excellent shot!When I saw the Temple me impressed two reasons. Your first architectural and good reception that as long as him I look at I discover new interesting points. The second reason the manufacture is in order that I made the thought that if it is pressed by all sides it will close as a fan or a umbrella,,Compliments wonderful work! Georgios

Bonsoir Vincent,
belle photo d'architecture, avec une grande qualité d'image, bons détails textures et couleurs, et un parfait angle de cadrage, qui t'offre un bon équilibre lumière et ombres sur ce temple joli.
Amicalement,
Josep

  • Great 
  • japiey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1827 W: 334 N: 2570] (9301)
  • [2008-01-13 11:27]

Hi Vincent,

FANTASTIC ARCHITECTURE..
Well done..

jean paul

Olá Vicent!

Uma jóia de fotografia. Detalhes lindos e cores perfeitas. Um trabalho especial.
GA
Vera

Hello Vincent,

In this image of the exotic temple you've presented an excellent example of two-point perspective, by choosing your vantage point as the corner of the edifice (all the parallel lines converge at two vanishing points on the horizon line, as you most likely know). The light, colors and resolution are all very good. I have a good friend who has a Canon EOS 30D and wants to upgrade to a 40D. I want to show your photographs to her to give her an idea of the camera's capabilities.

Warm regards,
Bulent

Olá Vicent,

Interesting composition. Nice light and sharp. Good effect.Thanks for your sharing with TE, this very different architecture of ocidente.

Regards,
Filipe

  • Great 
  • crckt Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1401 W: 68 N: 1310] (6797)
  • [2008-01-16 17:29]

Hi Vincent,
Very nice architecture, sharpness and clarity is excellent here. Thanks a lot for sharing, very interesting note.
Regards,
Shaeri

  • Great 
  • stego Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3536 W: 595 N: 4654] (14190)
  • [2008-01-20 2:26]

Salut Vincent,
Beautiful! Like in many other of your posts, I stare at it trying to remember anything meaningful to write about it besides the banal "great compo, beautiful light and colours", etc. All of it applies to it, but it sounds so little to say about it.
Bravo and TFS.
Amicalement, José.

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