pass me the blessing Photo

Photographer’s Note

this is a ceremony of blessing observed at a Hindu Temple in the center of Johor Bahru. it was the Hindu New Year ceremony and many devotees were there at the temple to gain blessings and pay respects to their Gods. at the ceremony, many elements like coconut and spices were prepared...(i will post more in my later posts). i studied a great deal on their rituals as part of my project for conservation of local culture and buildings.

in this specific gesture, the priest dripped blessing (similar to holy water) to the second priest and the procedures are passed on to others.

i find this moment very calming and spiritual...a reminder to all of us that religion grows in our heart, cultures and lives may vary, but the hold on one's belief can be the strongest bond for all.

i did some pp work on this one. posted the original as ws. critiques, comments and ws are appreciated.

jpdeloof, hugolef, fireflyz, jmdaoudal, yekjohn, carmem_busko, jafsc has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jpdeloof (2546) 2005-01-27 4:20

bonjour elleen
Le sujet est interessant ela composition aussi grace au mouvement du bras. lz fond blanc n'est pas trop mal mais il reste de petites imperfections autour des personnages, taches plus grises.
mais bon travail
jp
*****
hello elleen the subject is interessant and the composition also thanks to the movement of the arm. the white zone is not too badly but there remain small imperfections around the men, spots grayer but good work
jp

[workshop] [compare] +

clodreno (0) 2005-01-27 4:30

hello eleen,
I like the scene depicted on this image, very nice moment. I do not like the PP you did. I believe the streng of this image is lost because of the post processing. Why not leave the background. Could you post the original as a workshop?

Welcome to TE..

[workshop] [compare] +

hugolef (4909) 2005-01-27 5:13

Hi Eleen,
I agree with Claude, your post process is stronger. But there's a great emotion in your compo. Like it.
Best regards, Hugues

Ah_Thong (464) 2005-01-27 10:44

very nice photo there, eleen.. the post-processing and the photoshop works is great.. but i think the original version, with the background (even though it may looks a little bit distracting), but it tells a lot of stories more to make your image stronger... -McMug Tung Hoc

fireflyz (2079) 2005-01-27 21:03

Hi Eleen,
You've captured the moment and feeling nicely. It is indeed calming and spiritual. Being an agnostic (wasn't always), I usually don't have an interest in religious ceremonies but that doesn't stop me from appreciating the feeling which is conveyed through your picture. Thanks for sharing.. Nice work!

jmdaoudal (82) 2005-01-28 3:36

Hi Eleen,
I like very much the two people you catch there, a great portrait and situation.
Whole quality is Top, and the way you caught too.
Well done
Jean Michel
(You loosing a bit by the strong PP around the modeles)

naxius (16679) 2005-01-28 5:37

This is a very intersting photo and your note is also very informative Eleen.
Your pp is clearly difficult to handle. I admire your work!
It is not perfect but the result is good enough for me.
Alexandre

scalerman (25787) 2005-01-28 13:42

Hi Eleen, interesting WS to this one. There are some residual haloes around their heads from your WS, but I'm wondering how the background was so white in both shots? Unique shot though.

yekjohn (1886) 2005-01-28 20:36

I get a very peaceful feeling with this image. Very nicely done and your note is excellent. Cheers Eleen, John.

carmem_busko (3639) 2005-01-28 23:40

Although this creative artwork using PS is not usual here, but in TL... the subject scene is in the right place..
It shows a interesting custom from a foreign culture.
thank you for sharing it.
Rgds,
carmem

ngythanh (8496) 2005-02-04 19:29

I enjoy having this wonderful picture as something new for me to learn, and enjoy learning more from friends who gave us other lessons as well. Thank you all.

Regards,

jafsc (96) 2005-02-05 23:18

A peaceful trasmission of serenity and spiritual energy! A nice and dramatic construction of your work! Bravo Eleen!
José A.

Maru (0) 2005-02-20 17:23

Quite a mistic shot, eleen!
it has a special power, the gestures and concentration, witht tha white background that you pp enhace the strengh of the composition.
Nice work.
Marisa

alimo3 (6826) 2005-03-23 2:53

Hi Eleen,
a very intresting shot,and you caught very well this nice moment of the ceremony.
i think the WS works very well there.
i like the close up composition.
a nice job.

Tom

Albrecht (11223) 2005-03-23 3:01

Wonderful soft focus picture. Nice frame and good compo. Well done.

archanabhimasen (270) 2005-04-06 23:43