Temple of Dawn at Dusk, a photo from Bangkok, Central

Photographer's Note

There are over 31200 Buddhist temples spread around Thailand. In Thai these are called wat. One of these, the Wat Arunratchatharam or Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn, is named after Aruna, the Indian God of Dawn. Sitting majestically on the west bank or Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, the legendary Wat Arun is one of the most striking riverside landmarks of Thailand. Despite the name, the most spectacular view of the glittering monument can be seen from the east side of the river at sunset, when the spires of Wat Arun make an impressive silhouette against the skyline.

In 1768 when King Taksin planned to move the capital from Ayutthaya to Thonburi in 1768, he travelled down the Chao Phraya River by boat, arriving at dawn at an old wat where he paid his respects. He later named the temple Wat Jang, meaning the Temple of Dawn. It was later renovated by King Rama I and then King Rama III and became known at Wat Arun when Thonburi was the capital.

This Wat or Buddhist temple is an architectural representation of Mount Meru, the center of the world in Buddhist cosmology. In the mythology of Tibetan Buddhism, Mount Meru is a place that simultaneously represents the center of the universe and the single-pointedness of mind sought by adepts. Thousands of miles in height, Meru is located somewhere beyond the physical plane of reality, in a realm of perfection and transcendence. The four-corner prang of Wat Arun, which house images of the guardian gods of the four directions, reinforces this mystical symbolism.

The towers of Wat Arun are built of brick covered with stucco. The decorations are unique; thousands of pieces of multicolored Chinese porcelain. In niches in the central tower are green figures of the God Indra seated on Erawan, the traditional Thai three-headed elephant. Niches in the smaller towers contain figures of the Moon God, on a white horse. The trident of Shiva extends from the top of each tower.

PS : EXIF Data shows India time. Time in Bangkok was 17:48 when this picture was taken

besnard, pierrefonds, abmdsudi, danos, josepmarin, Bartleby, vasilpro, mkamionka, dip, Longroute, Graal, macjake, sacimar, jafadabret, Didi, kordinator, Waylim, paromitadey, subhendu_bagchi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

besnard (48793) 2011-03-21 1:29

Bonjour Angshuman
Un contre-jour très réussi sur ce temple et son environnement avec les drapeaux qui flottent au vent et les vagues argentées bien saisies.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

siolaw (37568) 2011-03-21 1:48

Hi Angshu
So here you are!
Really too bad I missed you.. I ll be back to BKK in just a few days!
A classic view here, I like the luminosity of the water, contrasting with the dark Wat... did you climb it? Very steep on the top!
Greetings
Laurent

golden (2287) 2011-03-21 2:35

Hi Angshuman!
Excellent capture here..I really like the colors of the sky that are reflecting to the wavy sea..

Have a nice day,
Chrysoula!

Gerrit (43743) 2011-03-21 2:37

Hi Angshu,
good composition and fantastic golden water in front of the temple.The sky is also very beautiful.
regards, Gerrit

InasiaJones (29343) 2011-03-21 3:03

Hi Angshu!

You are visiting Thailand! Wow!! The best food in the world, with Indian, Italian and Japanese, but still, it's difficult to beat Thai dishes... Make sure to bring back plenty of doggy bags!!!

It's so cool that you are there Angshu!

The choppy Chao Phraya isn't easing up your will to shoot wat Arun, but by opening wide your lens, you've managed to increase the speed. If you have the chance, stand on the opposite bank, among the market warehouses where you should have a steady point of view, if you are still in Thailand that is.

Almost silhouetted but still distinctive Temple of Dawn taken at golden light in a nice manner.

Enjoy your stay to maximum!

André

batalay (32860) 2011-03-21 3:54

Hello Mr. B,

What an exquisite photograph — the sunlight flashing on the ripples of the Chao Phraya River, against the backdrop provided by the silhouette of Wat Arun. I cannot imagine a more beautiful postcard of the site. Of course, the photograph is complemented by an informative Chatterjee note.

Warm regards, Mr. B.

Bulent

pierrefonds (48353) 2011-03-21 5:22

Hi Angshuman,

The distance between the water and the temple is giving depth to the composition. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the architecture of the temple slightly hidden in the shadow of the back light. The late afternoon light has a special effect on the colors of the sky. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Ricx (13435) 2011-03-21 6:07

Hi Angshu, stunning and just beautiful.. the choppy waters giving good depth against the lovely tones.. well framed and fascinating .. TFS Rich

Bluejeans (64239) 2011-03-21 6:50

Ola Angshuman ,
Beleza esta tua foto contra a luz , achei lindo a silhueta do templo , gostei muito das bandeiras coloridas , bonitos refelxos em tons dourados na agua , parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

sevy (13273) 2011-03-21 6:56

Hello Angshu,

Very nice view, almost front of light drawing well the silhouettes of the temple. For sure, a place to visit and to photography.
For the frame, I would propose to go even more to a square frame and to cut a bit of the bottom. Matter of personal taste of course.

Yves.

abmdsudi (26281) 2011-03-21 8:21

Sawadee Angshu
Great that you are in BKK.
The composition is perfect with sufficient textured water in the foreground, and the semi silhouetted wats well placed in the frame but it's the wonderful sunset colors in particular the water, that really capture the attention and you did well. Good that there is still much clarity with some detail and colors in the shadow areas. Great control of exposure with excellent constrasting colors. Tom Yam kung is much hotter than South Indian curry, hope you have tried it! Good notes as usual, thks.
Sawadee

danos (74020) 2011-03-21 9:41

Hello Angshu,
really impressive the great number of the 31200 Buddhist temples of Thailand.Great the view of riverside landmarks of the country with the other lowers to complete the complex of the Wat.The sunset colours of the sky makes the scene even more attractive.

Have a good afternoon,Danos

josepmarin (55051) 2011-03-21 10:06

Namaste, my friend Angshuman,
The cross-light gives a lot of power at the image of the temple, which offers us its wonderful architecture and its rich decoration under the weak light of the dusk.
The flags provide a touch of color to an image that seems in B/W, the sheens on the water gives it a silver very nice aspect, and the clouds in the sky complete an impeccable composition.
A great work, beautifully executed.
Best wishes,
Josep

jaywalker (16061) 2011-03-21 10:10

Hi Angshuman, What a wonderful construction, amazing really & your low POV across the water is very good, although the light is not great the photo has been well composed, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Bartleby (12741) 2011-03-21 12:04

Hi Angshu,
Love this back light. Sometimes the result is a bit harsh but here I like how some tones, especially the golden ones were saved. There is a very special atmosphere here, almost threatening, with the clouds and the moving water framing that imposing temple. Top-notch photo my friend.

Philippe

npecanhuk (53909) 2011-03-21 12:56

Hello Angshuman!
Wonderful temples!
Very attractive picture!
Special regards to the chosen pov, management of light, colors and, of course, composition!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

vasilpro (40192) 2011-03-21 14:29

Hello Angshu,
Wonderful composition, beautiful atmosphere, excellent POV, interesting architecture, lovely light and color tones, TFS!
Warm regards, Vasilis.

adores (28218) 2011-03-21 17:58

Hi Angshuman!
In Thailand? I visited this monument a long time ago!I like it here, it's amost a silhouette, but still nice. What really catches my eye here is the sunlight reflection on the water and the movement of the little waves, they make a really good foreground. Seems you have good excuses to return to Thailand again:)!

pablominto (53744) 2011-03-21 23:21

Hello Angshu,

Impressive temple architecture!
The backlight lends a special atmosphere to the scene, with the shimmering water leading up to the house of worship...
A well balanced composition with an appealing mood!

Greetings,
Pablo -

mkamionka (24537) 2011-03-22 3:16

Hi Angshu,
beautiful presentation of this temple. The silhouetts looks fantastic set against the extraordinary sky and the waves in the foreground add also a dramatic touch.
The conditions were very challenging but you did a great job!
M

dip (21919) 2011-03-22 7:57

Hi Angshu,
a well composed image of the temple,I like the strong contrast of lights and shadows,and the wavy sea in the foreground,
well done,
Dimitris.

Longroute (19390) 2011-03-22 8:46

That's why we didn't see you around for a while! You went to Thailand! Well you could not find a better start for your travelogue here with this lovely temple whose architecture is very typical of this country and the other neighbour ones.
I think the contra light helped you twice here: to get a very graphic image, given by the black silhouette of the temple against the dramatic sky and to conceal some disturbing details at the base. I like very much the contrast between the water and the temple. This contrast gives to the photo a strong visual impact.

Very fine and interesting. We'll look forward to see more images from Thailand!

Ciao,
Donato

quillo (11840) 2011-03-22 11:43

Hola Angshuman ..........

Charming image to back light of the Temple,
the light and the reflexes are exquisite,
congratulations for the good work.

Un saludo.

Graal (88908) 2011-03-22 11:56

Hi Angshuman,
beautiful silhuette of temple and architecture. Nice effect, good shot and presentation. An interesting informations. Photo well done.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

pajaran (36246) 2011-03-22 11:59

Pozdrav.
Lep pogled preko talasa na velicanstven hram, lepa fotografija.
Dobar trenutak snimak, tekst i kompozicija.
Sve najbolje sa lepim danima u prolece.
Paja.

Google.

Hello.
Nice view of the waves of the magnificent temple, beautiful photos.
A good time recording, text and composition.
All the best with the nice days in spring.
Paja.

Fis2 (73114) 2011-03-22 13:13

Witaj Angshu!
Corious object.
Interesting place.
I like colours.
Photo has climate.
Well done.
Best regards
Krzysztof

ciakgiak (30331) 2011-03-22 16:25

Dear Angshuman,
WOW! What a splendid composition with the temple inserted in a superb landscape.
The shiny sea and the cloudy sky are two splendid elements in a very pleasant image. The quality is absolutely excellent. Congratulations and TFS.
Best regards
Giorgio

macjake (39235) 2011-03-22 17:37

Hi Angshuman
love this photo, for one thing, i was here myself a few years back and its bringing good memories to mind.
the swell in the water in the lower foreground is brillant. and the Wat is beautifully silhouetted.
I was fortunate to walk to the top, did you do that as well?
have yourself a great day
Craig

sacimar (25957) 2011-03-23 12:30

Hello Angshu,

good composition with this impressive temple, I like the architecture of the buildings, the light was also beautiful at that moment of the day. Well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

emka (58152) 2011-03-23 23:27

Hi dear Angshuman, You should show Dawn temple at dawn.. Joking, of course. This view is splendid. From all Wats in bangkok I liked this one most. Only silhouette is here visible but the colours of sky and water are very bewautiful. Excellent composition. Nice framing.

Warm regards

MAlgo

jafadabret (56497) 2011-03-23 23:51

Bonjour Angshu,
C'est un plaisir de contempler cette architecture dans ce cadre naturel d'une grande beauté. J'aime le premier plan avec l'eau dorée. Le temple en contre-jour est parfait sur ce fond de ciel somptueux.
Amicalement
Jacques

papagolf21 (76569) 2011-03-24 2:48

Bonjour, cher ami Angshu,
Beauté éblouissante, merveilleuse photographie.
Encore une image qui fera date parmi ton album.
La joliesse de l'ensemble est remarquable.
Amitiés.
Philippe

John_F_Kennedy (41368) 2011-03-24 7:44

Hello Angshuman,
Wonderful shot. Perfect balance between the water waves and the rippled sky. Well done.
best wishes,
Achim

Didi (48930) 2011-03-27 2:56

Namaste Angshu
Interesting backlights with rough waters; nice view indeed.
Best regards

kordinator (13411) 2011-03-29 14:58

Dear Angshuman
Excellent composition and amazing golden water in the foreground.
Nice silhouuettes of the temple.
The sky is fantastic.
Unusual and very interesting format for the image.
Best Regards
Saša

Waylim (22357) 2011-03-29 23:55

Hi Angshu,
Beautiful shot this very lovely temple. It is one of the more charming temple, not as bright in the gold and glitters. Anyway, the sunset light with cloudy sky, the prominent silhouette with some faint detail and the movement of the river in the foreground makes this image really dramatic and the sparkling light on the river is mesmerizing. I can feel the tropical air with the humidity. Beautiful shot.
Way

paromitadey (596) 2011-03-30 3:31

Hi Angshu,

What a huge and magnificient temple. I am travelling the world through your photos :)
Loved the silhouetted temple structure with the vibrant water ripples in the front.
I am not in a position to critique this so appreciating and enjoying the photos.
Also loved reading the informative crisp note.

TFS.

Best Regards,
Paromita

subhendu_bagchi (16590) 2011-03-31 7:57

Dear Dada,
magnificent colours in the water, great composition. The semi silhouetted buddhist temple is looking great with the backdrop of nice sky. Excellent light /depth and sharpness. A superb presentation.
Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu

kiasari (2631) 2011-05-12 7:36

Hello Angshuman,

You chose a a good POV and framing to take this shot. I really like the colors of the photo. Well done!

Regards,
Abbas