NYC's golden Buddha Photo

Photographer’s Note

Today I visited Chinatown in Manhattan, in search of the largest Buddha here in NYC. He can be found in the Mahayana Buddhist Temple on Canal Street.

This golden Buddha stands 16 feet tall. The temple interior is a beautiful space, with small altars, offerings of fruit, and incense floating in the air. For a small donation you can receive your fortune from one of several boxes inside.

The outside of the temple, however, is not your usual pagoda. It is housed inside a former theater that was converted in 1996, complete with two golden lions guarding the entrance. :-) In the WS is a view of the building.

maximage, josepmarin, axiotea has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

maximage (13392) 2009-06-29 14:49

Bonjour Brenda,
Très belle compo, lumineuse et super bien cadrée. Un peu dommage le personnage au centre de l'image qui gêne un peu mais ce n'est pas grave.
Amitiés.
max

blueswan (0) 2009-06-29 15:06

NAMASTE BRENDA

MAY THE LIGHT IN ME
SALUTE THE LIGHT IN YOU

BEAUTIFUL PHOTO

kibele66 (2910) 2009-06-29 23:38

Brenda good morning,
What a smart reflection you've catched on the huge table.Once I've tried the same technique, but I was not lucky and talented as you. Excellent light use in extremely difficult condition.
Best regards!
Sibel

josepmarin (33785) 2009-06-30 10:07

Hi Brenda,
cuando he estado en Canal Street, comprando algún bolso o algunos relojes falsificados, nunca me he fijado que allí existe un templo budista. Como explicas en tu nota, el edificio no tiene forma de pagoda, por lo que los turistas no lo conocemos.
La foto está bien, a pesar de la dificultad de la toma en el interior, y al tiempo de exposición 1/30s sin trípode.
Hay un ligero rebote del flash, pero no estropea la imagen. Me gusta la imagen de este Buda, y su reflejo sobre la mesa tan brillante.
Buena información sobre tu ciudad en la foto y en la nota, es un buen trabajo.
Un abrazo,
Josep

rlrad (1187) 2009-07-03 15:28

Brenda, you forgot to tell us your fortune!

It goes to show that only the most intrepid find the spoils - you searched and found the Buddha. I could have taken my shirt off and shown you another...

I went to Chinatown there in Manhattan and was disappointed by the small area it seemed to be. Perhaps I didn't go to the right place. I definitely did not see this Buddha.

Nice mirror on the table, good job seeing that! What is the bright spot in the middle, right under him? It may be the reflection from your flash. I would have probably focused in just on the reflection and then flipped it for a follow-on or maybe a workshop photo. It's cool just by itself!

Keep hunting and showing us your prey!

Have a great weekend,
Reed

axiotea (16107) 2009-07-14 0:13

Hello Brenda
I thought for a split second, this photo was taken somewhere in Asia ;)
The Buddha's reflection makes for a good starting point and adds a good sense of depth!
I was also wondering about the luminous spot and I know the flash can be sometimes tricky...but somehow, it doesn't disturb ;)
Colors are well rendered!
Cheers
Marilyn

batalay (20940) 2009-10-08 23:22

Hello Brenda,

New York City really is a microcosm of the world, as one can find dramatic samplings from the entire globe. Imagine seeing this Golden Buddha in NYC instead of in Korea, Thailand or Cambodia. For me, its location on Carnal Street add a further meaning to Heisenberg's dictum that you can never underestimate how much pleasure it gives a man to see what he already knows (I've even seen the exterior of the building in one of my sojourns into the City).

I saw that in my previous critique of one of your photos, also written at an ungodly hour, I referred to Spiderman as "Superman." My apologies. I must go to sleep now or I shall die.

Warm regards from Virginia.

Bulent

ryno (4599) 2009-11-03 23:09

Hi Brenda, what an interesting image, with a great reflection off the table. This Buddha is so different to the ones we see here in Myanmar, but its effect is as serene as ever. Well done on recognizing the photographic potential in this scene, and capturing it so well.
Regards
Ryno