The Day of Atonement Photo

Photographer’s Note

It was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and perhaps the most important holiday in the Jewish calendar, when I passed by the Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe and the second largest in the world (built in the Moorish style according to a plan by Ludwig Förster in the 1850s).

In spite of the presence of the imposing building, it was a little old lady sitting on the bench in front of it that arrested my eyes. Her tiny frame was accentuated by the looming torso of the man adjacent to her, facing the opposite direction. Her gentle features touched a deep chord within me.

I took some more quick shots of her too, two of which I have uploaded in the WS--on one she showed acquiescence to my intrusion... yet this shot to me captured more of her soul at that particular moment, in the Day of Atonement.

Wandering_Dan, bombilla, nata, jjcordier, Dpbours, eleparc, luisafonso, everlasting, mcenteesalas, coco has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bombilla (3402) 2007-10-09 18:24

On Yom Kippur, our thoughts turn to death. As you know, this is the time when humans, according to the doctrine, will be inscribed in the Book of Life. It all takes place then, before the sound of the ram's horn. That is the liminal moment -- the space that exists between what was and what will never be again. Just like the snap of a camera shutter, which breathes eternal life into a discreet moment of the past and yet seals its fate forever. She must be wondering, this frail old soul, has my final chapter now been written? Have I warmed this bench -- or it me -- for the last time? Will this large human being next to me next year trod upon the ground in which I'm buried? Will we meet again in the afterlife on some eternal bench, where we can share the old memories for eternity, as though our lives had been frozen in a single frame caught in the eye of the omniscient artist. . . . Best, -Hugh

[2] +

cessy (13647) 2007-10-09 20:42

Hallo Sarolta
Very nice capture of her, side by side opposite with the man
I like the pictures in the workshop also, love the one looking at you

Wandering_Dan (3171) 2007-10-09 20:53

Actually, I think the one in the WS where she is looking at you captured more of her soul, though this is also a good shot. I like the WS one as well because the man is looking at her; he is involved in the picture, he's just sitting there.

ninaL (19268) 2007-10-09 21:17

Hello, Sarolta !!!

I like this scene very much.
Oposite position of this old couple are very funni.

The low wall around the grass is a little disturbing...but I think is no easy to mask it in any way...

Best regards. Grazyna.

sidstakes (770) 2007-10-09 21:21

Lovely image Sarolta...like the genteel expressions on the lady's face, just so pleasing a personality by the look of it....the positioning of the man gives this image an intriguing but interesting twist...i think you've tried to use the entire frame with a diagonal going in between...instinctive ..and nice...

nata (484) 2007-10-09 22:04

Hi Sarolta,
indeed a sensible picture. Good composition in B/W,your note is very interesting as well.
TFS
nata

jjcordier (24068) 2007-10-09 22:25

Très jolie scène, Sarolta. Cette mémé est très touchante. La composition est excellente (avec la position des deux personnages) et le choix du noir et blanc particulièrement bien adapté.
Amicalement
JJ

Dpbours (210) 2007-10-09 22:38

Hi Sasa,

She looks so fragile. If the enormous man to the left would make a wrong move, he'd just crush the little grandmother as it looks.
I'm really wondering how this guy is sitting?! I was looking at the workshops and could not figure out why (and how) his is sticking his legs through the back of the bench... :-)

Greetings!
Dennis

bantonbuju (48334) 2007-10-09 23:58

she IS BEAUTIFUL, sasa...she is tiny all right but her power is obvious, the power comming from her beauty...she may be juxtapositioned to the BIG man but still it is her whi is THE WINNER...
love tis, dear sasa,
bw, j.

delnaja (7708) 2007-10-10 0:05

yes her expression... she makes the photo...
beautiful qepia tones as usual.

wolf38 (12489) 2007-10-10 1:18

Hello Sasa. The photo does not require further explanations. It is marvelous. Best regards, Wolfgang.

faubry (32197) 2007-10-10 1:29

wonderful photo, very good cadrage, this little woman seems too small....
soon
francine

devimeuxbe (55665) 2007-10-10 3:15

Hi Sasa
I didn't see your beautifull post for long time ! Sorry.
This picture is clever, humoristic and charming also. The impossible conversation.
The POV is very nice
Excellent as usual
BErtrand

vapours (7913) 2007-10-10 4:31

A good spontaneous portrait, caught in her own world unaware of the camera, looking snug in her head scarf. The positioning seems a little awkward to me however, I think the more central composition in your WS seems to work better.

eleparc (24059) 2007-10-10 5:44

I love the way you approach people and scenes like this one. It is full of respect and care! This shows in your photos as well! One can tell you are a sweet and caring person...

Technically, i have the feeling the b&w contrasts are better managed in the two workshops. Any idea why? Especially the black of the man's shirt.
Puzsi

Eric

michiels (4170) 2007-10-10 6:00

hello Sasa,

Very well seen ! I like the comparison. She looks so fragile and strong at the same time. The workshopphoto with her looking at you is also very pleasant. A good remembering !
greetings, inn :)

jinju (14265) 2007-10-10 18:46

Its about as different from your other photo that I commented on as can get. This is simple, to the point. Is it worse? No, its very diffrent. While it doesnt have the artistic flair as some of your near abstractions, it has a wonderful charm and documentary honesty.

Polonaise (5627) 2007-10-10 21:33

WS #1 seems to be the cream of the crop from the series.
Even though, all of them have your print on them, the one I mentioned is closer to the story you have described than any other.
Incredible works. Highest class of street photography there is.

Stay vibrant, dear gal.

g.

Darren (6815) 2007-10-11 6:42

Hi again Sasa. First of all, in comparison to the last shot of yours which I commented on, this is a top notch conversion. I much prefer the more neutral tones and technically I think your exposure was perfect. I looked at the workshops too and have to say that of the three photos, I prefered this one and the worshop which was most similar. Here, I like the look on her face better, but I find that in comparison there is some space wasted on the right. On the workshop photo, I like how you have framed them just slightly differently and while I don't mind that she has seen you, I do prefer the look she is giving on this one. Both are very nice shots; just that although quite similar they both have their own advantages.

bwiti (402) 2007-10-11 12:24

This is a funny photo, the stake in parallel of these two statures is rather funny and the childish attitude of the grandma is attractive... It is very well seen so congratulations...

luisafonso (858) 2007-10-12 2:23

You, like me, have a profound and tender admiration for the old ones. The respect that grows and always flood your heart can be seen in every bit of this photo. Your high pov flies like a protecting angel over the soul of that charming woman and it's impossible to be indifferent to such a sight. Those tiny feet, united like dear brothers, the crossed arms, black purse over her knees, the gentle smile. Intrusion? You are all but intrusive here...

brevbrev14 (370) 2007-10-12 2:39

dear Sasa, yes...i agree with you..this image is all about her soul...
and you captured it so well..
the composition is as usual perfect...
the opposite positions are very good
ciao!
Valeria

Furachan (0) 2007-10-12 5:42

Rarely has a broad BACK been used to such effect, dear Sasa. now THIS, as George would say..is PHOTOGRAPHY. Echoes of that great picnic by the Marne ic from the great HCB, i's in the shoulders somehow. It is HE, huge and "in the way" as it were who prepares the way for this thin and smiling woman...
Powerful work,
bw,
Francis

everlasting (10894) 2007-10-13 3:09

I have been away for a while Sasa, and more pressing family matters are keeping me away from TE. I hope you and your family are well. Beautiful tender B&W image excelling your way with old people. Splendid POV

paprika-jancsi (1927) 2007-10-15 13:22

Wonderfully compassionate artwork. You have a great soul and your pictures express it. Mind you, Budapest probably has a lot of subjects for human misery.Thanks also for your interest in Yom Kippur and the loving description of the Dohany Templom (that was closed and off limits for most of your lifetime in Hungary). Ciao, Jancsi

coco (27574) 2007-10-21 12:32

Hi Sasa.

I think I prefer the WS where she noticed you.
Anyway, all together are great and I envy this pictures because I know that I cannot shot the soul of the people as you do.

Regards.

KKar (486) 2008-01-03 9:15

Very sentimental. Have a wonderful new year with great pictures
Kostas

Faros (12) 2008-01-03 9:31