Bongeunsa II, a photo from Seoul, North

Photographer's Note

Another from Bongeunsa. I recently broke my leg and now have a lot more time in front of the computer. Since I can't shoot it's time to edit and go through everything. A new monitor is on the way as well. This another view from Bongeumsan.

Once known as Gyeonseongsa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple is located to the north of COEX building, and was constructed in the 10th year of Shilla King Weongseong’s reign (794). In 1498, Queen Jeonghyeon refurbished Gyeonseongsa Temple at the east of King Seongjong’s royal mausoleum and renamed the temple as Bongeunsa. Originally located near the royal maulsoleum (1km southwest), the temple was transferred to its current location during Joseon King Myeongjong’s reign. 3,479 Buddhist scriptures of 13 types, including the works of Kim Jeong-hee, are stored here. The Buddhist ceremony called Jeongdaebulsa, is held every September 9th of the lunar calendar, where monks march carrying the scriptures on their heads and recite the Beopseongge (Buddhist rites).

From Tour2Korea

sam224, siolaw, cuneyt-sb, ben4321, parbo, zeca, salvator, cam, tonyking has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sam224 (6215) 2007-01-24 7:14

That's a good composition. The man praying is well placed on the right side of the image. The reflections on the clean floor are really attractive showing us part of the temple which is partially hidden at the view.
Well done-. Thanks for sharing

ben4321 (9875) 2007-01-24 7:23

This is great!
I really like how we can see so much of the temple reflected in the floor, although it has been excluded from the frame. It's very effective.
What also works well is the placement of the man, and I like his pose of quiet contemplation. The over-exposure on his grey hair is a bit of a shame, but that's the only aspect that detracts from this otherwise superb shot.
Well done Ben.

Cheers,
Ben

siolaw (38294) 2007-01-24 7:33

Hi Benjamin,
A good compo inviting the viewer to meditate, perfect framing and subject position,good sharpness and relection on the floor adding a lot of interest
Greetings from Goa
Laurent

cuneyt-sb (6576) 2007-01-24 7:37

Hi Benjamin
This is very good and very profi shot, i can see the marbels detail on floor , nice POV and good to B/W work
Regards

mdetay (4929) 2007-01-24 10:14

Hi Ben,
Excellent duotone + reflection.
Great. congratulation. Excellent composition.
Cheers.
Michel

Kenggaroo (849) 2007-01-24 10:47

Peace of mind, Benjamin
Your picture projects a graceful peace of mind. A calm stillness of the white hair man give a silent atmosphere to the whole picture.
Graceful,
kenggaroo

BHo (2177) 2007-01-24 12:07

How the heck did you break your leg? Climbing? Hope recovery will be swift...

Sweet photo. I am especially drawn to the reflections and his white hair. Nicely seen and captured.

Regards...

parbo (11092) 2007-01-24 17:04

Hi Benjamin,

I couldn’t catch your posting speed, because we are living single day while you are passing to next day ;) This one is good composition too. I like reflection of statutes, trees and prayer again on marble. Excellent shot, congratulations.

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2007-01-24 22:23

I can see that you also went for a B&W picture of the temple. I like your compo with the person shot from the back. I think it gives more power to the spirit you want to show us. The only comment I have is that the person’s hair looks a bit over-exposed. But, the picture is still excellent. Well done.
Antonio

zeca (19762) 2007-01-24 22:55

Hello Ben!
Nice POV and the reflections are very interesting details. The contrast is great!
Regards,
Zeca

atilgone (0) 2007-01-26 1:58

Hi Benjamin,

Excelent! very good quality! I like the reflection so much. BW is a good choise for definition of this picture. TFS
Kind regards

vascao (192) 2007-01-26 18:07

Hi, Ben.
An intriguing shot, indeed. Although it is essentially simple (a man praying sitting on the ground), the reflections on the floor make one picture the building in front. Very, very good, my friend.
Regards.
Sergio

Claudine (0) 2007-01-26 21:13

Hello Benjamin,
I really like the mood of this picture, the use of B&W, this great lighting and composition. Reflection on the floor is just amazing. This is very Zen, and I feel good looking at this image :) Thanks for this relaxing moment,
Claudine

Graal (103040) 2007-01-27 2:19

Hi Benjamin,
fine version of previous picture. Good composition and contrast, Nicely reflections and good idea with B&W conversion. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

salvator (19110) 2007-01-27 4:05

Hi Benjamin,
There is another nice one. The pov, the composition and the choice of b&w are fantastic.
Have a nice weekand. Salvator.

cam (9043) 2007-01-28 22:48

Hi Benjamin
Soory for your leg,hope it was not too badly broken and that it is healing well.
I prefer this POV to your previous photo,and the B&W treatment is judicious,this way we can concentrate more on the details and the reflexions.
It goes well with the meditative atmosphere.
Charles

CaptainJack (0) 2007-01-29 1:41

Hi Ben, sorry I missed this shot of yours. I definitely prefer this tighter view of the man, compared to your earlier post of the same location. The B&W really adds to the reflective nature of the floor stones - almost with a sheen that makes it appear like he's floating on water! I've been to this place before a few years ago, believe I have a shot of that nearby statue...

tonyking (1612) 2007-02-01 3:53

Hi Ben,
I love this pic! To me, it's perfectly composed and I'm impressed with your use and control of the light. I also like the way the reflection on the wet paving stones gives us just a hint of what's above.
I hope this guy's cushion is waterproof though... having a wet butt really sucks!!

Hugs,
Tony

ElAprendiz (30) 2007-02-05 9:28

Hello Ben. Although I am not a lover of the photography in black and white, called much to me the attention, the composition of this.
A scene with certain realism, where the position of subject located to the lateral one, makes emphasize the reflections of certain details, on the floor. Good work
John

polter (7239) 2007-02-13 8:56

Like the scene and the man so unexpectedly floating on the surface of a shiny reflection. I think it's one of the best photos of prayer itself. Really great. Greetings T.

sadeik (3282) 2007-04-28 14:57

I think here the black and white works much better then the colour but I think I would prefer a bit more cropped from the bottom to provide symetry. However this is an excellant image and I love the composition and thought that has gone into the photo

Simon