Donghwa-sa Wall Paintings Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Buddha shown in my previous post is part of a much larger complex. In addition to the new structures of the re-unification Buddha there is also a traditional and much older temple named DonghWa Sa. The original construction period dates back to 493. I wasn't able to find out a lot about what happened in the intervening years but the current one was put up during the Chosun period, @1732.

The painting on the end of the temple are some of the best I have seen anywhere in my travels around this area of Korea. These are retouched or repainted regularly but the craftsmanship and talent needed to accomplish this is significant.

The workshop has a closer view of the same wall.

delic, dareco, Charo, jlbrthnn, Zelanda, stego, john_c, terminus, gunbud, Cretense, pboehringer, adores, pablominto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

delic (6735) 2007-09-14 1:44

Hi Greg,
This is so well-framed that even the severe barrel distortion this lens has at 18 mm does not disturb the eye. Color and detail are well-kept, including the sky. Very nice. Regards,
Hakan

dareco (17104) 2007-09-14 1:48

VERY nice! The colors are so sharp. Very nice blue sky. A nice low POV, and the tree on the one side is very pretty. I like this very much. TFS

jlbrthnn (37749) 2007-09-14 7:22

Hello Greg,
A splendid temple which shape is great. I like the tones of the paintings. It is a pity to not see them better. Good work.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

feather (49858) 2007-09-14 8:22

Your low POV serves well to emphasise the temple. I like the upward sweep of the roof and how we can see the details underneath. Thanks for the WS to see the paintings in close up.
Kath

Zelanda (5692) 2007-09-14 10:17

Hola Greg,
Una bonita arquitectura muy representativa del lugar.
Excelentes colores y detalles.
Buen trabajo.
Saludos cordiales
Ros

Charo (31665) 2007-09-15 1:27

Hola Greg,
Magnífica arquitectura llena de colorido y detalles.
Estupenda definición y buen contraste con ese bonito cielo.
Buena realización.
Cordialmente
Charo

stego (22350) 2007-09-15 7:00

Hi Greg,
Very charming, that colourful temple, so well captured with your clever pov. Somehow I find very attractive the tree covering the right part of the temple, breaking the symmetry and the tip of the roof pointing up on that piece of blue sky very. The luminosity and colours are also beautiful.
Regards, José

john_c (24635) 2007-09-15 9:20

Hi Greg,
This low angle POV well depicts the ornate exterior here, complemented nicely by your closer view in the WS. I like too the sweep of the overhanging roof. You made the most of the light, and I like the proportion of foreground stonework to set off the main image. The clarity of detail is superb. Well seen and presented.
John

ckpark (10) 2007-09-15 11:19

With my limited knowledge, I was thinking you used a 'mild' fish eye. But now I see you used the 18mm with beneficial effects. On my recent visit to Korea, equipped with a 52 and a 70-200, I often had difficulty getting 'everything' in the picture. I could have definitely used a wider angle lens there. Nice photo (maybe they could replace the fire extinguisher there) Thanks.

bracasha75 (22017) 2007-09-15 14:18

Hello Greg
Korea have maybe noty best history(many bad wars) but the architecture is erxcellent and thanks you we learn something about Korean Arch.
Cheers,Braca

crhieatt (5143) 2007-09-16 14:11

Greg,
Nice shot of a fascinating building.
I was, initially, a little worried about the low shooting angle on this, in a photogenic sense, but, of course, this is the only way to show those lovely details under the roof canopy - which is what the shot is all about - and what it suceeds in doing.

So, good, balanced exposure, and plenty of essential detail.

Regards to you.
Colin

utkue (3420) 2007-09-17 4:18

Hello Greg,
Wonderfull temple and very beautiful shot.
Cadrage, contrast, colours and daylight are all very excellent.
Congratulations.
Best regards from Ankara and have a nice week.
Utku

mesutilgim (36687) 2007-09-17 13:47

Hello dear Greg !
Wonderfull capture. Very nice compo and great warm colors. Good symmetry and very good info's.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

gunbud (27789) 2007-09-17 18:42

Hi Greg,
Wonderful capture of this beautiful old temple that is seen in all its fine intricate details. The colors are brilliantly clear and the details razor sharp. The blue sky makes a lovely backdrop to this beauty.
Regards, Tom

Cretense (55848) 2007-09-19 12:18

Hi Greg!

Excellent architecture photo! You captured this beautiful building in the most brilliant way! Simple but effective composition and, most important, fabulous colours! Congratulations!

Hercules

pboehringer (770) 2007-09-19 18:51

Greg,
another instructive and educative post of this very interesting place. I share with you the feeling that these paintings need to be shared with the TE commnunity. I wish the WS would be even more close up to really appreciate the details of what seems to be a real art work. It would have also been also nice to have 1 or 2 people in the main post to give a more vivid impression of the buildings' size. But it also works out quite well how you did it without.
Regards, Peter

vincz (19039) 2007-09-20 0:36

Beautiful colours, this building fits so well in the nature around. The paintings are fabulous (great workshops).

jurek1951 (25930) 2007-09-20 6:07

Hi Greg,

Very nice colorful composition with interesting POV.Very good perspective,Very well framed.
Georg

Budapestman (41686) 2007-09-21 11:48

Hi Greg,
Beautiful architecture shot, POV is very spectacular and impressive. I like the fascinating and decorative details, clarity and sharpnes is perfect. Colours are picturesque, this is a magnificent image, I like it very much. Have a nice weekend
George

adores (15487) 2007-09-21 17:23

Hi Greg!
Very interesting temple with so many details. The details of the paintings i n the workshop are very nice also.Very good pov and colours.

pablominto (40508) 2007-09-21 22:50

Hello Greg,
The typical architecture is well depicted!
I like the framing and the lead-in stairs works well, good colours and details...
I notice all efforts put into decorating this house of worship!
Greetings,
Pablo -