Monks in meditation at Wat Po Photo

Photographer’s Note

I took this one evening in Bangkok at Wat Po. I'd been walking around the grounds and it was fairly deserted. I didn't expect anyone was in the temples at the time. But as I got close to this one temple, I could hear the faint chanting of these monks in meditation. It was mesmerizing and beautiful (you can listen to a short clip here.)

I never expected to walk into a scene like this. My sense of awe seeing this ceremony overcame my instinct to take pictures for several minutes. I stood there very quietly at the back just listening and observing. It was a beautiful ritual and for a moment I felt a glimpse of the peace of mind the monks derive from their devotion. It was an enlightening moment for me.

I took several photos of this scene, some vertical, some horizontal. I liked the composition of this one the best.

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Critiques | Translate

t0mmm1 (5434) 2006-07-22 6:31

Hi Todd,
I like this warm tones and the composition is involving (I don't know the right term)... I mean, it seem to me like taking part of this ceremony. Maybee it would be nice also to see the golden Buddha also focused, but yes, I see f/5.0, 1/60 sec... it was pretty dark inthere. But anyway... beautiful mood you have captured here and with this picture is trasmitted to us.
Have a nice WE.
Tomi

Angshu (33607) 2007-06-19 6:44

Hi Todd
Very interesting focussing. The warm tones are good & thanks to your focus on the monks, we feel a part of them..I only wish you had the magnificient statue slightly more in focus. At first I thought that this is a picture of Wat Suthat...but it's not, even though the statue of Buddha & the murals are very similar
With Regards from India
Angshu