the soul is free Photo

Photographer’s Note

A cremation in a village some km outside from Ubud. Before the body of the dead man was set under fire all people went to him a last time and they brought him some offerings for his way. If I understood right the Balinese Hindus beleave that the soul gets free with the fire when the body burns.

I guess that there were about 300 people at that place. Many of them were having conversation, they even made jokes, different from what I know from Europe.

Before the cremation a young guy told me that the dead man was the father of his grandfather and that he was really really old. When I asked how old he said 76 years old!

I saw just on young man crying. He was so sorry. For a moment I thought that I could feel his pain.

marknunnerley, sabyasachi1212, brevbrev14, kevinos, syd1946, leo61, vincz, delnaja has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

marknunnerley (2768) 2007-06-29 4:03

Must admit I would find this a hard experience. Well captured Nino. A difficult experience I am sure and done really well.
BB.
br
mark

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2007-06-29 5:49

Hi Nino,
This a common scene for the Hindus though these days in India, specially in cities, electric crematoriums are in use instead of wooden pyres. The smoke and the fire combine so well.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

kevinos (6927) 2007-06-29 23:44

A very nice documentary shot Nino and an exciting picture. The effect o the fire and the smoke are very nice. The funeral pyre is much more elaborate than those I saw in Nepal. regards kevin

brevbrev14 (372) 2007-06-30 0:56

ciao NIno, beautiful image of this cremation and really intereting your note too..
the smoke creats a particula atmosphere..
bravo!
ciao!
Valeria

syd1946 (17965) 2007-06-30 10:41

Hello Nino,
This is an excellent ceremony.Your informative note helps very much to understand.Great exposure,especially to the fire.Well captured and interesting presentation!

Have a nice week,
Thomas

wolf38 (13087) 2007-07-01 0:00

Hallo Nino. Ein beeindruckendes und sehr authentisch wirkendes Bild. Die Verbrennung ist ein Vorgang, in welchem der normale Tourist nur selten Einblick bekommt. Dem Anlaß entsprechend ist das Photo dramatisch aufgebaut. Es ist sehr interessant und sehenswert. Viele Grüße, Wolfgang.

leo61 (43816) 2007-07-01 0:37

Hi Nino!
Gutes Bild von dieser für uns Europäer ungewöhnlichen Ceremonie.Du hast die Stimmung gut eingefangen und der Rauch macht sich gut auf dem Foto.
Schönen Sonntag,
Gruß,Leo

vincz (19045) 2007-07-01 2:53

Excellent catch with the so active fire and the men in the smoke. Great informative note as well.

delnaja (7883) 2007-07-02 5:36

quite impressive scene Nino... the fire catch the eyes...
Very interesting note also.
Take care
Fred

PS : didn't have the time to write you... not really got time since a few weeks...

Stepan (27175) 2007-07-07 1:23

A daily life (or maybe should I say Daily death ?) moment very well composed and captured. We're there, among that people and that's what I like in the compo.
Well done.
Stéphane

rigoletto (26846) 2007-07-27 12:30

Now my charms are all o'erthrown
And what strength i have's mine own
Which is most faint, now t'is true...
I must be here confined by you.
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands.
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails
Which was to please. Now i want
Spirits to enforce, art to enchant
And my ending is despair,
Unless i be relieved by prayer
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults
As you from crimes would pardon'd be
Let your indulgence set me free...

I love this Shakespeare sonet, which is intended to be Prospero's farewell in "The Tempest", and actually the artist's farewell to the stage. I immediately remembered those lines upon seeing your title and photo.
Great share, thank you...
Deniz

Angshu (34141) 2007-09-08 21:37

Hi Nino
A very nice shot. The fire in the pyre, the solemn faces of the people as they walk away, the smoke in the FG, all create a mood which is sombre...Well composed & captured
Best Regards
Angshu