Burning incense #2 Photo

Photographer’s Note

This shot was taken with my Dad's Olympus OM-2(N) and 50mm f/1.4 lens at a small temple on Putuoshan island.

I grew up with digital and in some ways when I look at this photo in particular I really appreciate the beauty of film and the lengths the masters of the darkroom went to achieve stunning results. That's not to say that I think this is on a par, it's just that I can't begin to imagine how difficult it would have been for me to achieve this without the safety net of 'undo' after some dodging/burning...

Reaching the small island of Putuoshan, off the coast of Ningbo, wasn't an easy task. I visited the island with my Chinese girlfriend while I was there over the Christmas holiday earlier this year.

The island as a whole is not a terribly exceptional place, but despite this I really liked the place. It was very calm, easy to travel around on foot and there were plenty of things to see and do.

At one end of the island there is a massive 30m statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. A truly impressive spectacle.

Olympus OM-2(N)

eleparc, happypoppeye, AnimeshRay has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bwiti (402) 2007-06-18 8:16

I like this kind of macro... Full of elegance and delicacy.... Congratulations..

eleparc (24059) 2007-06-18 8:54

Bravo Lewis for this shot! The combination of the b&w and the excellent choice of aperture result in a winning shot! the grain adds to the charm of this photo, undoubtedly. It has a special feel of intemporality. COngrats!
Eric

Furachan (0) 2007-06-18 9:09

Delicate, well crafted shot, Lewis. Attracted by the smoke of the thumbnail, I'm glad I fully opened it to appreciate some of the fine DOF work.
xcellent,
Francis

AmiBe (6042) 2007-06-19 15:34

Hi Lewis,
with this small DOF, the shot is very mysterious.
Good b/w and smoke.
Very creative, rgs

happypoppeye (4060) 2007-06-20 20:33

Great shot. Really "focused" (subject wise). The DOF really makes the incense sticks a strong focal point. Great eye to catch this one. Nice and grainy giving the photo an older type feel with alot of character - and good choice of B&W.

...and times, they are a changin. Newer doesn't mean better. I wish I wasn't so lazy or I'd shoot film probably most of the time. I actually like the grainy look like this photo has. Too bad nowadays the smoothest and highest megapixel camera is considered the best. Personally, I don't think cameras have really advanced that far in the last couple of years. Or, I should say, picture quality not cameras. Now they are faster, smaller, lighter and you have these super zooms. I have a 4 year old digital point and shoot that takes "nicer" photos than my D40...at 8x10 or smaller. I have never printed a photo larger than 8x10.

Keep that D70s - it takes better photos, in my opinion, than the D80 or D200. It is one of the best digital bodies Nikon has ever made - again, in my opinion. Now, it all depends on the photographer but in the right hands it is better - unless you need a 3ft x 5ft print that is. This Oly isn't bad either.

Great work.
Great note.
John

prezntime (3945) 2007-06-22 23:10

Hello Lewis.
I do hope to see some more film prints from you. Sometimes we confuse quantity with quality. Many people prefer digital because it allows them to take a higher quantity of photographs, yet the photographs lack from a consistantcy of quality. Darkrooms are not hard once you actually do it...i actually fine it easier than photoshop with finer results. Tone wise this shot is great. I like the severe DOF, something necessary to add interest to a simple scene. Keep wipping out that film, it is always better looking in my opinion.
Regards,
Chris.

jinju (14265) 2007-06-25 2:22

f/1.4 is crazy...thats some serious bokeh Lewis! As a former bokeh addict its a great shot to see. The blur and b/w work great together. The best thing is the light falling on the smoke in the air.

AnimeshRay (8886) 2007-08-28 16:35

Excellent sharpness and precise focus. THe Zuiko 1.4 shines bright here...fantastic black and white. Bravo!

greg64g (11193) 2007-09-03 15:17

hi Lewis,

i am also fascinating by film technic, even if i grew p too on the digital life. i love the mood here the grain and the superb f1,4 you catched here a real beautiful detail.
great work, and i looks some of your picture on your gallery taht'wonderful !
cheers
greg