The Monk and the Golden Rock Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Golden Rock is a large boulder of granite,completely covered by gold leaves, which sits precariously on the edge of a cliff and said to be balanced by the hair relic of Buddha.

Only men can go there, and as I said in this workshop, women are not allowed to touch the boulder, nor are they allowed to be within proximity of the pagoda.

ISO 200

Hope you like it...

dip, siolaw, Atousa, InasiaJones, robertosalguero, Wahclellaspirit, Cretense, hgupta, maltese, evanrizo, Tue, JCG, edal, syd1946, papagolf21, riclopes, jafadabret, zeca, Cricri, adores, Didi, kevinos, magiqa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

siolaw (25774) 2008-01-25 21:23

Salut MArilyn
On sa rend bien compte de la taille du rocher sur cette image, le moine impassible est un grand plus, la paroi couverte d'or a d'excellentes textures et couleurs et le petit coin de ciel temoigne d'un cadrage attentif et soigne!@
Joli
Laurent

Atousa (3434) 2008-01-25 21:25

Salam Marilyn,
This is very interesting! ..nice texture n framing n what a pity women are not allowed to get closer to the rock..whats the use of those bells?
tfs,
Best regards,
AtousA

THY (1656) 2008-01-25 21:39

Great.
Colours contrast is impressive.
Men and women are still not in a equal position in some of the countries.

THY

InasiaJones (20355) 2008-01-25 21:45

Salut Marilyn,

Cet endroit ne méritait pas d'être pris en photo par toi, si on te refuse l'accès!... :-P) On voit que le moine est aux aguets, prêt à intervenir si tu t'approches trop... C'est tout de même incroyable tous ces trucs religieux discriminatoires.

Alors que l'on a l'habitude de voir cette grosse patate dorée dans son ensemble, il est intéressant de voir un gros plan qui sert de background original pour ce doorman boudhiste. Je trouve qu'il ressemble à Luan s'il avait le crâne rasé, mais ce dernier est sûrement plus sympathique et il te laisserait entrer voir la grosse patate... :-P)

Bon week-end!

André

P.S.: Pour se venger, la tour Eiffel devrait être interdite d'accès aux moines...

robertosalguero (110) 2008-01-25 21:46

Hello Marilyn,

The rock seem beautiful in its golden colour. The monk standing there is an excellent subject along with the detailed pattern of the railing. Good light and interesting perspective to compose the image. Too bad you are not allowed to get closer but your picture shous an excellent close-up.

Roberto

P-S-I-G (24482) 2008-01-25 23:32

Salut Marilyn,
C'est très inspiré. On ne sait pas ce qu'il regarde au loin depuis le balcon. Une photo qui m'évoque le travail du peintre MANET dans le tableau le balcon.
Amicalement,
Fabrice

Wahclellaspirit (3017) 2008-01-26 0:27

Hello Marilyn,
A crisp and colorful image of the Golden Rock and Monk. The red of the robe and the gold leaf in the Rock are perfect together, and makes one think of riches and power in religion or in government.
It is too bad that there are barriers in today's world, if I were you, I would be dismissed at not being allowed entrance into the Pagoda, especially if I were a believer and follower of Buddhaism.
Excellent post...
Steve
Have a great weekend..

MarcT (21099) 2008-01-26 1:11

Salut Matilyn,
Superbe palette de couleurs qui met bien ce moine en valeur.
Dommage que tu aies été tenue à distance...
Amitiés
Marc

Cretense (56282) 2008-01-26 3:32

Hi Marilyn!

Fantastic, outstanding portrait! Excellent composition and framing, very natural take, with an eyeblinding background! Congratulations!

Ta leme,
Hercules

gilou530 (35270) 2008-01-26 4:37

salut laurent
ou même la foi........ tapisser un tel mur, j'avais vu un bouddha avec des feuilles d'or collées, mais ,,, impressionnant cadrage parfait avec une bonne lumière
amitiés
gilbert

hgupta (1320) 2008-01-26 8:03

Amazing powerful picture. The red clothed monk looks amazing against the golden backdrp. I think this shot is technically perfect....just flawless.
Great work.
Regards,

Hemant

maltese (21535) 2008-01-26 8:37

Salut Marilyn
En Bretagne, on a du granite mais on n'a jamais essayé de le recouvrir d'or, sans doute parce que l'on en a pas ;0))
Le moine a bien l'air de te surveillé des fois que...
Une très bonne réalisation avec une très belle netteté!!
Bon boulot
Amicalement
Hervé

UnTrained (0) 2008-01-26 11:13

Hi Marilyn,
impressive composition with the monk in that metal "cave" of a balcony before the amazing golden rock. It is a bit unreal (out of the world - not artificial), I think this a result of the complex light.
Is he watching for women to enter or to get too close?
Lieben Gruss, Ulf

evanrizo (456) 2008-01-26 11:42

Salut Marilyn,
the monk infront of this monstrous and whacking golden rock works very impressive.
TFS
Evangelos

ElAprendiz (7370) 2008-01-26 12:29

Hello Marilyn:

I am very pleased this composition.

The nuances given on the wall, are very visible from the rest of the scene, the position of the subject is magnified (which seems to be posing for the photo), the details are beautiful metal and balance given is excellent. Perhaps the only bad for my concept, is the fraction of sky that you can see on the upper right, for my liking, I would have cut a little.

Wonderful job, congratulations.

John

Tue (25608) 2008-01-26 13:19

Bonsoir Marilyn,
The golden rock is a beautiful background for this photo. And you included very well a big part of it. The monk and the fence are very well placed in the composition. I like those flowers in the fence, particularly seen from the side, creating a nice effect. Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

JCG (25405) 2008-01-27 7:43

Bonjour Marilyn,

Un brin "macho" ces moines !!! En tous les cas tu peux encore pfendre des photos. Jolie prise de vue de ce moine qui ressort fort bien sur ce golden rocher. J'aime bien son expression. Je me suis laissé aller à un petit WS pour le plaisir. J'espère que tu aimeras.

Avec toutes mes amitiés et à bientôt,

Jean-Charles

[workshop] [compare]

edal (6571) 2008-01-27 11:08

Hi Marilyn!
So, you've managed to come so close to the golden rock thanks to modern photo technologies:-) Thanks for doing that and letting us see this most curious gold spending... By the way, it reminds me of some Orthodox churches, that have gilded domes...
Anton

Stepan (27175) 2008-01-27 22:50

C'est dommage qu'il soit un peu loin car l'arrière-plan crée beaucoup d'impact !
Sinon, il y a une sorte de minimalisme graphique très sympa. Bien vu.
Stéphane

Graal (58065) 2008-01-27 23:30

Bonjour Marilyn,
amazing gold background, fine portrait of monk, well composed. I like it. Good quality.
Gr., Aleksander

John_F_Kennedy (31473) 2008-01-27 23:51

Great presentation. Simple but very nice captured.
Best wishes,
Achim

syd1946 (17913) 2008-01-28 0:41

Hi Marilyn,
So wonderful catch of the this monk.The golden wall is so effective as a background adding much beauty to the whole composition.Nice and sharp!

Have a nice day,
Thomas

vincz (19043) 2008-01-28 0:55

Il est marrant celui la devant le rocher d'or qui apparait si enorme grace a ton cadrage. Etonnantes pratiques discriminatoires dans un pays si doux (enfin on sait que ce n'est pas toujours le cas....). En tout cas une belle compsotion.

knerkowski (1467) 2008-01-28 4:18

Bonjour Marilyn
J'aime beaucoup le contraste entre le chrome de la rampe et le dore de l'arriere plan.
Tres bon cadrage et bonne idee d'avoir laisse un petit coin de ciel
Belle expression sur le visage de ce monk
Merci de nous faire partager
Amicalement
Kevin

barrufeto_77 (25809) 2008-01-28 8:56

Hi Marilyn.

Excellent note and picture! The golden background with that man is lovely!

Rgs 2 both!

gracious (20017) 2008-01-28 14:40

Bonjour Marilyn,
Superb sharpess on this shot here with excellent exposure and focus to brings very good details indeed
a pleasant presentation
well done
merci
Tony

dip (12594) 2008-01-28 21:38

Hi Marilyn,
beautiful and interesting shot with nice golden colors,well captured and composed!
Thanks for sharing,
Dimitris.

papagolf21 (56451) 2008-01-29 0:39

Bonjour, mon amie Marilyn,
De l'or sur les murs !
Une excellente prise de vue avec ce moine parfaitement placé dans la composition.
Bravo pour cette très originale réalisation.
Amitiés.
Philippe

riclopes (33005) 2008-01-29 2:47

Olá Marilyn, fascinating golden background. The fence adds an interesting graphism as well. Nice capture of the monk that seems to be checking if you are not being disrespectful... ;-) I can imagine the disapointment for you, indeed.
cheers,
ricardo

Angshu (33729) 2008-01-30 1:17

Bonjour Marilyn
The monk's robes stand out against the golden rock. You would have used the full zoom of your camera to get this shot since you would not have been allowed even close! But he seems to have noticed you. A well done shot!
Regards
Angshu

jafadabret (39731) 2008-01-30 3:48

Marilyn bonjour.
Mais pourquoi les femmes sont interdites ? J'ai l'impression que ce moine fixe bien la photographe, non ?
J'aime beaucoup la couleur du Golden Rock et le moine prend toute son importance sur un tel fond.
Jacques

zeca (20026) 2008-01-30 19:02

Hi Marilyn!
Very nice capture! Colours, textures, graphism, human element... its all here. Well taken! This golden rock is really an interesting subject.
Abraços,
Zeca

Paolo (40703) 2008-01-31 10:09

Hi Marylin, wonderufl one, with the monk with the Golden Rock on the back! a brilliant POV and excellent quality for a great image!
thanks, ciao

capthaddock (28640) 2008-01-31 18:19

Aah, a classic, I didn't know only men are allowed. I have mixed feelings about the sky in the corner, but admittedly without it the background would have looked like just another gold painted wall.

Cricri (43132) 2008-02-02 11:21

Salut Marilyn,
Ah bon, une coutume que je respecte et que donc je ne ferais que regarder cet incroyable et immence rocher couleur d'or, belle présence du moine dans ce joli décor ou sont accrocher de petites cloches
et hop un chiffre rond pour cette image qui le mérite
passe un bon week end a+
cricri

adores (15577) 2008-02-05 17:55

Hi Marilyn!
I had seen this one last week, I like it. Such a pitty you couldn't get closer :(
Seems a wonderful place. I like the composition, the way you captured the monk and that row of bells, with the golden background. Seems he was really interested in your camera:)

jaywalker (12190) 2008-02-17 5:54

Hi Marilyn, What an amazing background this rock makes to the monk, the light is excellent & superb colours, you have captured the texture magnificently &, the monk is beautifully portrayed in sharp focus, the railing are of a lovely design with the bells hanging down, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Didi (36172) 2008-02-25 11:12

Bonjour Marilyn
Une composition très misogyne en somme et de plus il me semble constater que le moine te jette un regard noir.
Mais l'image est très appréciable avec cet arrière-plan doré, mais je ne comprends pas la raison de cette discrimination.
Amitiés.

kevinos (6927) 2008-03-03 2:59

This one works very well, Marilyn. The rich gold texture look great with the sharp pattern of the steel railings against it and the monk place in the best position. It all looks very decorative. regards kevin

boromare (316) 2008-03-31 4:47

super celle la marilyne belles couleurs et netette.welcome back

erdo (568) 2008-04-28 13:57

Hi Marilyn, aplace that we have missed in our journey. Next time. All is very well balanced in your photo.TFS.
erdogan

magiqa (1262) 2009-03-24 11:47

Interesting to see this golden rock so close. I did not see this place during my recent Myanmar trip, so TFS!