Holy smoke?, a photo from Yunnan, South

Photographer's Note

At the Three Pagodas outside Dali old town, Yunnan province.
Coachloads of Chinese tourists arrive and make their way to the huge Congshen temple complex further up the mountain, where they pray and light huge candles of incense in front of newly-restored Buddha statues.
Then when they have left workers collect all the candles and unceremoniously wheel them away, still smoking, to an incinerator, while new supplies are carried to the gift shops.

t0bs has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

aadilj (18102) 2008-02-10 21:13

Fabulous setting and a great composition. I like the shot plan and the whole ambiance. The smoke is wonderful. great balance and superb textures

t0bs (147) 2008-02-10 21:35

Hi Brian

Seeing this picture is like watching a scene in a movie. All the information you provided in your note are all present in the picture: the tourists in the background, the smoking candles within the carriage, and the seemingly-old worker who brings the new supplies.
I particularly like the worker. His half-covered face adds another dimension of his anonymity. He walked half-bowed. Perhaps, it's because of the burden of his work; of his life. Perhaps, it's his humility to be able to work for his divine master. Such a photogenic person. And, you put him in focus perfectly.

Very well done
Toby

ViktorVaughn (1525) 2008-02-10 21:55

Excellent shot Brian. The unattended cart with so much smoke emanating from it is very interesting. But waiting for this man to walk beside it carrying the heavy load makes for a great photo. Why don't you take advantage of the 800 x 600 pixel limit so we can see your shot in an even larger size?

Regards,
David

vagabondtravels (6511) 2008-02-11 4:54

Hi Brian

Really nice scene you have seet here. The smoke really adds to the atmosphere creating layers which the man pops out of. Well done.
Ben

robiuk (10807) 2008-02-12 10:45

An interesting motif, Brian.
Smoke rising up from the cart and spreading up and around
looks great. And there that guy carrying boxes - we can
feel their weight on his back, then them workers behind
him...
The only minor thing that bothers me here is the amount
of 'dead' space dedicated to the bottom of your photo,
where we can see a shadow, but not the owner of it.
I made a workshop to show how I would do it...
Thanks for sharing,
Robi

[workshop] [compare] +