The Bodhisattva Photo

Photographer’s Note

This picture comes from a temple of the Mahayana Sect of Buddhism, from the head temple of the Vietnam/Chinese sect on a mountain above the River Kwai at Kanchanaburi. Theravada Buddhism –or Southern Buddhism- reveres only one Buddha, Sidhata Gotama, but the Northern tradition in Tibet, China and Japan, revere an infinite number of Buddhas. These are people who have reached enlightenment but, out of compassion for others, have returned to this life, in order to help others. Thus, there temples have many images of strange beings, who represent these Bodhisattvas. This one , I must say, doesn’t look very compassionate. I took the picture in a dark chapel, with filtering light from the door. It was taken through reflective glass, as it was enclosed in a glass case.

kiwi_explorer, zeca, patdeph, adores has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kiwi_explorer (12195) 2008-05-13 3:09

Hi Kevin,
Great POV ... I like the layered effect here creating some drama to the scene. Well captured and composed. Well done! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

capthaddock (28640) 2008-05-13 19:29

Double the horror, stuff nightmares are made of, it seems like an asian equivalent of a vampire, interesting shot.

Stepan (27175) 2008-05-13 23:00

And it's almost scarrying !!!
Unusual way of compassioning, unusual shot (with a strange halo around the head) but then an interesting and original post.
Stéphane

vincz (19045) 2008-05-14 0:51

i love it. Such an amazing feeling. Did i smoke something??? What's happening to me. Great work!

patdeph (18338) 2008-05-14 1:10

hello Kevin
the fact that you took these Buddhas through the glass,gives a strange effect,like if they were some kinds of ghosts,and I like this very much!It's the first time that I see Buddha with such an expression ,usely,he is always smiling!I like the colours of your photo,the light and the second Buddha slightly bluurred!Very well done!
Regards.
Pascale

zeca (20026) 2008-05-14 8:01

The composition is really dramatic, Kevin. The lights are perfect to the emotion of the faces.
Regards,
Zeca

clnaef (6289) 2008-05-17 3:03

Bonjour,
Magnifiques masques très expressifs.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Flavia (10202) 2008-05-21 6:15

Hi Kevin,

Very interesting effect, quite diabolic, not enlightening at all... at least not for our standarts. Great idea, this double portrait.

Regards,

Flavia

adores (15755) 2008-05-21 16:10

Hi Kevin!
Great shot here, the light is just perfect and that reflection is really good.The budha is very original also. Great work, with very good colours and a very good composition.