Chaos of the monks' debate, a photo from Tibet, West

Photographer's Note

Taken in Sera monastery in Lhasa. This has to be one of the most extraordinary things I have ever seen. At a certain time of the day all the monks gather in a courtyard and set about to argue variuos points, using fantastic body language and actions. This photo sums up the experience for me with such a wide range of poses, some blurred from movement; a large throng. Yet amongst it all, two figures close together argue a minute point: one with his finger wagging to emphasise a point, the other with two fingers together. What can't be included in the photo: the intense noise of a hundred separate debates and slapping of hands.

CliffW, jmdaoudal, cobraphil8, marieaude has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

CliffW (2381) 2005-04-02 18:23

This is a great shot Paul. Chaos describes it very well, but it's fascinating! Uniformity of color would usually look overwhelming. Here it's like looking a time lapse of one monk moving every which way.

mlopes (494) 2005-04-02 19:20

ahahah have you seen Matrix 3 the movie? do you remenber that scene where the bad guy multiplicated himself infinitly times? well this shot really look alike. it seems that the same monk is moving very fast and that yours low shutter speed caught him. very good

greghume1 (447) 2005-04-02 22:36

Great shot, Paul. It really provides a window into another culture for me and is what TE is really all about.

gringofil (0) 2005-04-02 23:44

Quite an interesting shot. I really like how the entire frame is filled with monks. But I think more cropping is needed to focus more on the monk who is pointing the finger as he is the main subject here. I would crop from the top (get rid of that tree and the touristy type people) as well as a little from the left (to get rid of that overexposed thingy at the bottom left hand corner). After this crop the image will become easier to read. Anyway, this is good work. Well done.

jmdaoudal (82) 2005-06-09 4:29

Paul,
Being a "on holidays member from the site :))" I put here my impressions about your Forum words...
One of the reason for this intervention is of course that we are using the same camera, and so that we could have similar thoughts about photo and evolution on the site.
The purpose of the site is not to be the best photographer but a satisfied communicant, which includes a good photo, a good note, been known by a good presentation... Have an Offer and receive in return. So there is not so much Hazard in having critiques and to be seen is first to write, then to have a good small and big picture to make sure than this will be not a forced return you will have to read.
Been in your Portfolio everytime I sickly makes a verification to "Minolta A1" to see if my quality is sufficient with the tool, I can say you have good compositions.
About this composition :
This is a good one in quality and subject. The mass and the mouvement are shown in the frame, the colors support the idea of a debate. You have had here a great situation to cacth, and done as well a good composition.
In order to help (easy to talk uneasy to do) would have been interesting to catch from a lower POV and a bit left to have the group from this one who have the pointed finger and in a more hight format without the cutted monk at right.
For the publication, would have been better with a bit more contrast and saturation that our cameras needs to increase their qualities of "piqué"
Sincerly
Jean Michel

langaloo (489) 2005-06-21 9:06 [Comment]

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marieaude (1196) 2005-07-06 4:30

Hello Paul, this is a fantastic and great scene. You were in a right place at the right time, I love it. And the colors are very nice too. I like this human face of those monks, not so serious out of their meditations.Very good photo, Thanks

Photo Information

Copyright: paul Artus (paulartus) (805)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-05-18
Categories: Festivals
Camera: Minolta Dimage A1
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Singapore to London overland
Theme(s): Monks, Amazing China---Tibet, China - Religious Life [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-04-02 17:34
Favorites: 2 [view]