JiGong Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This was taken during the Matsu Pilgrimmage in central Taiwan a few months ago. This guy is dressed at JiGong, who is known somewhat lovingly as The Mad Monk. During the 1100s, JiGong was a monk who was known for relatively outrageous behavior, which got him expelled from his temple. From there, he sort of took to the streets, living a life of poverty but helping those he could and always being in good cheer. He was thought to have magic powers, particularly helpful for the poor. Now, he is widely respected and followed, especially by the followers of Falun Dafa/Falun Gong who regard him as one of the eight immortals, known for his compassion, mercy and wisdom.

I am not 100% certain of the authenticy of the guy you see here. The first time we came across him was in a temple, where he was ritually chanting and blessing (I guess) a follower. That part seemed credible enough. However, this was taken on a market street and the circumstances seemed much less solemn. The blessed in this case is about to me. He danced, chanted, gave me a massage and hit me with a small broom, but the whole time he was doing this, there was a look of humor in his eye and I really got the feeling this was done entirely as a show and for fun. I don't believe he takes himself all that seriously, but I could be wrong. His chanting/singing was really good though.

Handheld, ISO 800, focal length 24mm (35mm equiv 36mm), uncropped, normal post processing.

snuggleaphagus, seasfor has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snuggleaphagus (4138) 2005-06-24 22:50

The hand movements are fantastic. The coloras are great too. Ionly wished you had not cut the tip of his hat,

I love the intensity of his face

smiles are gone

markgong (2840) 2005-06-24 23:01

Very interesting subject and great metering. The focus is dead on. There are two things that bother me though. I wish you shot a bit wider so I can see the more of the hands because the motion is so lovely. The tip of the hat should either be included or shot slightly lower to include only sightly higher than the character on his hat. Right now it's kind of in the middle.

gringofil (0) 2005-06-25 3:35

Interesting shot, but I don't think it lives up to your usual standard of photography. The moment and character are both interesting, but the busy background and the brown thingy next to the guy's head (on the left) is very disturbing. Anyway, perhaps as part of a photostory this would have worked better for me but as a stand alone picture it just does not have enough power to capture the viewers’ imagination.

naxius (16679) 2005-06-25 4:26

Hell Darren,
Very good vertical compo.
I like this shot, I like the way you have managed the motion of his hands.
Very good..
Alex

Furachan (0) 2005-06-25 4:43

Excellent movement suggested througth the hands while the rest of the portrait is tack sharp. Notes of a very high caliber too. Bravo, Francis

eleparc (24059) 2005-06-25 16:00

very nice darren, i love the DOF you have here on this man and his moving hands.;-) nice colors too!
So how are you? i met Maciek in Paris at least three times last week and had a final dinner last night. We took him out to a real French resto;-)

flydragon (0) 2005-06-27 4:28

Hello Darren
great great
i like your position here
and also this vertical compostion
the blur with his hand, make this pics
more dynamic
also a good note
thx for this
regards
••simon••

sorry green later

seasfor (160) 2005-06-29 11:00

I remember this guy - I've got a couple of him and you, while he was doing his thing. Maybe I'll put one up soon.

Great shot Darren, great colors, composition and sense of motion.