Ouch! Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

During the season of Lent, tourists are drawn to this province to experience some devotees cut their backs with blades and whip themselves with wooden rods. By doing this bloody ritual, these flagellants believe that their sins would be forgiven and divine favors are also asked. Their faces are covered with cloth to cover their identities and tied with leaves in the shape of a crown. This is probably to re-enact the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ during his sufferings.

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Critiques | Translate

Darren (6819) 2005-03-24 0:02

Ouch. I have heard of this in the Phils, and seen something similar during the vegetarian festival in Hat Yai, Thailand. Not something for the squeemish. This shot is good, although I wish that perhaps you could have composed differently; as it is, it is just kind of front and center. A different angle, or a more off centered composition would work for me. Interesting.

markgong (2840) 2005-03-24 0:35 [Comment]

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verge (1239) 2005-03-25 6:30

I really expect to see lots of photo about lent coming from the Philippines, I myself thought of taking some photo of it. I like the composition the center really showed and emphasized the hardship the devotee undergoing during the ceremony but most of them say they don't feel any pain at all and the wound do not last a day. i like the color and the focus, well cropped. good job Gino.....rgds

verge

jim007 (96) 2005-03-30 0:48

OMG. Ouch indeed. Very disturbing to look at but this is a good capture of an Event.

dznguy (42) 2005-07-29 2:32

I don't know if you do any post processing with your work, but this one can probably use a little sharpening to really emphasize the wounds and make the overall shot gritty. Maybe even add some more contrast by adjusting the curves and burning some of the details.