Shwedagon Paya, a photo from Yangon, South

Photographer's Note

It's impossible to avoid uploading a photograph of Shw� Dag獼 Paya. Visiting this pagoda is far more than just wandering around and looking at the shrines, pavilions, images, bells and stupas. It's a place you feel as much as see. There's a quite amazing atmosphere here - sometimes serene, sometimes exciting, but always enjoyable. This is the most celebrated and ancient shrine in Burma/Myanmar, and indeed in the South East Asia. It's peculiar sanctity is due to the fact that it is supposed to contain relics of all four Buddhas who have up to the present time appeared.
These relics are: 'The Drinking Cup' of Kaukathan ; ''the Robe'' of Gaunagohn; ''The Staff'' of Kathapa; and ''Eight Hairs'' of Gaudama.
A ceremony was held while I was there; young girls before entering as nuns in a Monastery accompanied by their families and friends. Everyone celebrating this event and the girls specially dressed for it.

bj40, daddo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bj40 (6) 2010-04-10 12:57

Hi Roser,You used the wide angle lens to good effect here, the centra stupa is magnificent with the strong light revealing its details.One can sense the atmosphere of the activity at ground level,i can see the group being photographed which i take to be the young nuns you refer to prior to entering the monastic life.Your comprehensive notes further add to the enjoyment of this uplifting scene.Thanks Tom.

daddo (28748) 2010-04-16 1:50

Hi Roser. Dynamic contrasts in light/shade and colours. The stupas really stand out as they lift our thought heavenwards. I see that you have experienced difficulties like everyone else when faced with acrowd- where to cut off the image and the people. whatever you do, you end up chopping someone's legs, arm... Sometimes it works better if you sit at their level and look up. Regards. Klaudio.

leo61 (0) 2010-04-18 2:08

Hi Roser!
A fine shot from this great place.Love the contrast with the sky.
Regards,Leo

Urs (14082) 2010-04-22 5:58

Hi Roser

The beautiful Shwedagon I have not seen for more then two decades, but at least I can see it here. Nice shot and good that you included the other visitors as well. That adds life to your shot, not only the mystical atmosphere of the pagodas reaching to the blue sky. Well done.

Thanks for your critique of my paddy field shot from Yan. Jokingly I could say, when I come there always has to be blue sky, what actually is not true. However I avoid to keep washed out skies in my archives. Only if the shot is of high documentary value I will keep it. otherwise it will be deleted immediately.

Best regards
Urs