Monk Praying Photo

Photographer’s Note

I took this shot in my own home. It is a Thai tradition call tham bun ban . Normally, we will do it when we move to the new house but many Thai will do it once a year. We will invite 3, 5, 7, or 9 monks to our house. To bless every one who are in the house (including spirit). Then we will gift a meal in return to the monks. This is the way Thai people keeps connection with each other in their family and neighbors. Because when we do this tradition, we will invite our close friends and family to joy and prepare things for the ceremony.

farangsam, thea0211 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

InasiaJones (20703) 2006-05-17 7:32

Hello Khanthachai,

Your photo is truly stunning. Your choice of DOF is excellent and gives an artistic flair to this spiritual image.

Absolutely beautiful photo!

André

hpbaxxter (443) 2006-05-17 7:34

it is like a press photo...proffesionl...focusing on the one subject was a good choice.

s10001in (1485) 2006-05-17 7:45

Khanthachai Chaitrakulpiboon,
I do agree with previous comments.
Really magic post.
Congratulations!!!! N o doubt this is A++ image.

Now, little improvisation can be possible.
1) at right side hands are distracting. You would have cropped it bit more tight.
2)A rythem in picture can be more developed by keeping all the moks in same line & with face fully shown. It is true that you cannot control their momets but little patiance can help you more. (2nd monk from right is half faced. so while taking a snap, a shifting towords 1 feet left side would have allowed you to cover complete face of 1st monk & even of second.
You are just nect to monks so you have very less margine for cover the moment done by monks but left side position will cover even more moement of monk without damaging the rythem.
DOF is nice.
Very well done.

TFS.
Please feel free to comment.
Regards, Shailendra

[2] +

startacked (1286) 2006-05-17 7:54

This is pretty good Khanthachai! Composition could be better. I would have liked to see his entire head on, also of the people behing him. I would also like more colors in it. Keep it up! Gilbert

kevinos (6927) 2006-05-17 8:12

Chan chop roop ni mak mak, Khnathanchai. Dof swai mak, Thai tammai khun mai kian arai peur attibai . Chan yark ru pen wat arai. Khun chai kham pud 'praying' ti kon sasana chris chai, thai my meurn kan suat mon, ti row chai nai sasana Bud. Chan kit wha, roop ni pen roop somboon.
Swasdikrap Kevin

qpochet (1378) 2006-05-17 8:48

Hi Khanthachai,

Very good picture with nice depth of field. You managed to capture the intensity of this spiritual moment.
Nice job!
Quentin.

jmhullot (0) 2006-05-17 8:50

Great picture, I love the way you did it.

donluicu (23927) 2006-05-17 9:41

Hi there!
i love the framing of this picture, horizontale, focused on the first monk..and i like the spirit of the picture and the concentration.
br&vo

pmthanh (676) 2006-05-17 12:08

Hello Khanthachai!
Great composition and tone colour. Nice POW.
TFS.

Thanh

AMZINCHIA (1082) 2006-05-17 13:03

Hi Khanthachai, your short DOF makes all the magic of this picture, making the hands of the out-of-focus monks become so ghosty, so unreal. As if praying with the dedication shown on the focused monk would take you to a state of total desincarnation .... Well done, very well done. Cheers, --amz

tifah (836) 2006-06-04 14:45

Like others have said and will surely continue to say, this image and your many others of this theme of Monks is brilliant, truly exquisite and your notes are nice too. these photos have a real sense of faith to them, not just because they're of monks but the expressions and moments that you have managed to capture in a monks life, that seam to have a real humane ness to them. the set of blurred figures relate to the number of thoughts and prayers that are floating somewhere in the spiritual realm and that they are trying to get to. the only thing that exists is the I and soon that too will be lost as will the people next to him.thank you very much.

osse (2806) 2006-06-05 16:19

Hi Khanthachai
Good portrait shot. Good composition. and great colours.
well done

osse

AmiBe (6042) 2006-06-06 16:45

Hi Khanthachai,
excellent picture, very intimist.
The short DOF works very well.
Great atmosphere, well done

Don_Gusti (0) 2006-08-24 10:32 [Comment]

Show Comment +

farangsam (75) 2006-09-28 8:27

Dear Egg,
Wow, you take some fantastic photos! I'm extremely impressed. I love the fact that you focus particularly on the religios cultural aspect of Thailand. Great work.
Sam

sixTL (8586) 2006-12-21 5:54

Hello Khanthachai, Your picture is mystical. Congratulations.

Best regards Artur

thea0211 (1355) 2007-01-25 3:35

hello kai,
i haven't seen this up until now, but i glad i finally got the chance to see it!
very well done - perfect in all!
overall aesthetics*****
tfs,
dora

Taw (410) 2007-03-13 10:01

well done and thanks for sharing.
Taw