Buddhas in a Cave, a photo from Louangphabang, North

Photographer's Note

Packed with over 4,000 Buddha icons, Pak Ou Caves have a history dating back thousands of years. When pilgrims completed the difficult journey to the caves, which lie 25 kilometres upriver from Luang Prabang in a cliff 15 metres above the water, they left behind a Buddha idol. Over time these buddhas added up, and the caves are now filled with thousands of Buddha images in varying sizes and styles.

The caves are set in a dramatic limestone cliff at the point where the Mekong joins the Nam Ou River. There are two caves to visit, the lower cave called Tham Ting and the upper cave Tham Theung, both boasting miniature Buddhist figures that are mostly made from wood. Positioned about 50 feet above the river, Tham Ting filters in some light but a torch is required for the absolutely pitch black Tham Theung.

ikeharel, GyurMaster, snunney, Royaldevon, ChrisJ, marabu61, pajaran, bukitgolfb301, PaulVDV has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (108816) 2017-04-16 1:37

I was already writing the critique, but the picture suddenly disappeared, lucky you managed to post yet again, this is a beautiful sight from the cave, May.
The perfect silhouettes of the icons shown well against the river scenery outside, must be an astonishing sight with so many statues, only part of those can be shown on one photo.
Fine action and camera settings, well done.
Have a nice new week ahead,
Ike

GyurMaster (22794) 2017-04-16 1:37

Hello May,

This grabbed my eyes immediately as soon as I saw it in the thumbnail. The silhouettes of the Buddha statues create a very strong graphic framing for the landscape in the far distance.

Excellent work!
Best Wishes,
Gy,

snunney (130967) 2017-04-16 1:39

Hello May,
The weather and the sky did not do you any favours, but you have nevertheless succeeded in producing a very interesting composition. The silhouetted statues look superb against the pastel toned background. The jagged edge of the cave opening adds another dimension.

lousat (133081) 2017-04-16 1:48

Hi May,very original way to take the buddha in this cave,playing with the black silhouettes and showing us the lovely landscape in background too. Great idea and excellent quality,i like it! Happy Easter and thanks for share,Luciano.

Royaldevon (80151) 2017-04-16 2:00

Hello May,

You have created a striking photograph under very difficult circumstances.
The silhouetted figures, decreasing in height, have great impact against the lighter b/g and the whole certainly benefits from the black surrounding border.
There is a slight tilt to the photograph, the boat going uphill, but that doesn't affect the pleasure of the photograph.

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

ChrisJ (165778) 2017-04-16 2:30

Hello May,

I have been there in 1999. Nice to see some things don't change in all that time. I may have even loaded a similar photo from Pak Ou Caves. Found it:

http://www.treklens.com/viewphotos.php?l=7&p=92480

Good silhouettes and sharpness with soft focus on the Mekong. Tfs!

holmertz (96576) 2017-04-16 4:05

Hello May,
This is a very good composition. You found an ideal angle for the silhouettes of the statues with the river as a background. The scenery seen across the river puts this place in a context. When I was in Luang Prabang in early 1973 this place was too far from the city to be visited. Because of the war the countryside was very unsafe.
Kind regards,
Gert

marabu61 (11587) 2017-04-16 4:31

Hello May
Silhouetted like this, the Buddha statues look like carved out of the rock of the cave. This must be quite a sight in reality. Great composition with the Buddhas, the roof of the cave and the wide landscape behind. It seems it wasn't the brightest of days but nonetheless you achieved a striking image.
happy easter Sunday
Daniel

Silvio1953 (211361) 2017-04-16 5:30

Ciao May, lovely composition with fantastic silhouettes, fine details, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, Happy Easter, ciao Silvio

kasianowak (16680) 2017-04-16 6:07

Hi May
Great idea to shoot from inside the cave to show the Buddhas silhouetted against the view of the river and green hills. The landscape adds context to the statues.
Best wishes
Kasia

Sergiom (117241) 2017-04-16 6:40

Bonjour May

Une superbe composition. Les silhouettes sont magiques dans ces circonstances et elles se découpent parfaitement sur fond de fleuve très lumineux. Très bien vu.

Amicalement

Serge

Nicou (193806) 2017-04-16 7:10

Hello

fantastique vue et ce découpage quelle iamge et ocmpo quel rendu et vue sueprbe vue de l'intérieur ces statue fantastique
Bravo et amitié
nciou

Cricri (176) 2017-04-16 9:53

Hi May
Superbe réalisation, les silhouettes et les découpes sur le fleuve lumineux, magnifique
belle soirée
cricri

carlo62 (81265) 2017-04-16 15:03

Ciao May
se all'interno non c'è luce, perché non utilizzare le statue come silhouette?
E infatti....ecco la foto, bella, pulita e di ottimo impatto visivo.
Eccellente lavoro.
Saluti
Carlo

abmdsudi (91519) 2017-04-16 19:09

Hi May
Lovely picture with plenty of interest and the way you've used the cave to frame the imposing subject of interest. Sincerely I feel the background subdued lighting and colour is a bit annoying, and I guess you couldn't seem to get a shot without them in the photo something you cant avoid from this viewpoint, However this is compensated nicely by the intriguing stark silhouetted figs. Excellent capture, tfs
Best regards

emka (153734) 2017-04-17 0:18

Hello May, Good idea to show the view from inside of the cave, with a view of the black silhouettes of the Buddha figures. Lovely view of the river. I know this place, I was there some years ago. Fascinating area near Louang Prabang.

Have a nice day

MAlgo

dekanski (8233) 2017-04-17 3:47

Hi May,

realy great view. Technically could be better, but I think it's attractive enough!

Saša

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2017-04-17 19:35

Hi dear May YTH

Fantatsic to see. Ya you were there, I was there 10 years ago. So itersting place but output is this one only, as this angle's shot is so impressive. Very typical Laos shot!

All the best and have a good day! Takero

BennyV (32926) 2017-04-20 12:25

Hello May

Difficult to get a good picture here, but you managed by going full out for the silhouettes of the statues. Well done, congratulations.

Benny

PaulVDV (57619) 2017-05-13 10:54

Hello May,
This must be a very fascinating place to visit.
An attractive presentation with the overhanging rock and the many statues, all almost like silhouettes.
The statues are looking towards the river as a welcome to visitors.
Best regards, Paul