digital monk Photo

Photographer’s Note

i have SO MANY photos to submit from the buddhist birthday celebrations in seoul. i'm going to create a travelogue for it because i think it will take me a week or two to submit all the photos i love.

this is the first of many.

at jogyesa temple in seoul, monks from all over the world were gathered to celebrate the birthday celebrations.

this monk was enjoying the revelries and taking a moment to capture them for prosperity.

this shot shows the changing face of buddhism. originally the buddha said that owning possessions was one of the causes for suffering. he denounced aesceticism and hedonism, as the buddha believed that possessions created desire and desire created suffering.

so buddhist monks would own only their robes, bowls for eating and maybe a drum or other musical instrument.

today, monks are very different. i've seen korean monks driving lexus cars. this guy has a nice video camera and a digital watch. haha!

the festival was awesome and i had a great time ...

lappino, mammad, PixelTerror has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

clarita (654) 2006-04-30 22:20

WOW...two thumbs up for clarity/comp/rich colours! you did a good job framing this pose.
thx for posting.

jinju (14265) 2006-04-30 22:27

Nice shot. Im glad you are goinf to post a lot of shots, Im only going to post 3:) Thats the plan as of now. But Im looking forward to seeing your others. I know you loved this one the minute you took it. The note is so true. I think we ctacked some jokes about monks with super expensive stuff. Seems like such a contradiction of their supposed value.

ariya (0) 2006-04-30 22:50 [Comment]

Show Comment

dsidwell (9745) 2006-05-01 0:32

Nice work, David! I love the interesting dychotomy of the Monk, representing timeless ways, and the camera, which suggest modern technology. Good stuff!

lappino (846) 2006-05-01 1:45

Hi David,
excellent focus and colors, as well as "enlightening" note...
I had a similar story with one franciscan monk, who was usually in his brown and simple habit inside the monastery, but outside the "walls" he preferred wearing a black "Metallica" t-shirt...
Thanks for sharing
Vlad

canan (961) 2006-05-01 2:35

of course the colors and pov are great...but i like the contrast of technology and belief most...very good catch...tfs...

mammad (3181) 2006-05-01 3:32

Dear David ,
Thr idea is so smart I love it!
Wonderful sharp foreground with good dof.The colos are wonderful and the digital watch is extra credit.TFS

ahmetgedikli (21621) 2006-05-01 3:40

Hi David,
Beautiful portrait. Point of view, depth of field, light, nice colors, and framing are excellent. Compliments.
Ahmet

mhdesbois (0) 2006-05-01 4:07

Hi David,
It's not only a very good shot, it is a surprising vision of modernity. Technological gadgets are everywhere in Korea ... even in the temples.
M-H

PixelTerror (86036) 2006-05-01 5:49

Hi David,
A bit overexposed but with a good bokeh and illustrating well how difficult it must be to remain somewhat traditional in a high tech country such a Korea !
Have a nice day,
Jean-YVes

PeterC (2242) 2006-05-01 9:56

David,
Nice shot i also have alot of shots of monks with cameras. One guys was shooting with a Contax DSLR. So much for living a frugal life huh!
Great shot with lovely colours and i realy like the way he has not only a nice camera but a watch!!
Cheers
Peter

triptych2003 (1396) 2006-05-01 18:50

20 points?? this shot only merits 20 points? what's wrong with some people?? i love the colours in this shot more than what is actually in it. you never know, he maybe using the camera and technology in order to give it up later. but being korean... probably not

Angshu (33346) 2006-05-02 3:47

Hi David
Nice crisp colours. Wonderful framing & use of DOF. I cannot but be surprised at the monk's camera & watch...but then thinking aloud, why would they be left behind in the tech. revolution?
Regards
Angshuman

fabio_ts (13672) 2006-05-04 4:52

Funny shot and title for this really well done picture David, great use of shallow DOF from you, A+++

ciao,
Fabio.