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Took a photo of one of the many statues in Birdy's backyard last Saturday. Taken with a 50mm 1.8 wide open as I was trying to blur the background. Unfortunately the background was still too much in focus to achieve the effect I was hoping for. So just for fun I magnetic lassoed the statue and blurred the background (about 15).

I'm (accidently) pleased with the result. I quite like the "aura" that the statue ended up with. It looks somewhat holy

Anyway, the original NEF:



and the blurred version:

I like this - these guys have gotta be some of the most well photographed objects in Sydney! I love the happy looks they give

The 'aura' works well - I'd like to see that yellow in the top left all around it though, I reckon that would pretty special.

sheepie wrote:The 'aura' works well - I'd like to see that yellow in the top left all around it though, I reckon that would pretty special.

My PS skills don't even go close to doing that I nearly cloned the yellow bit in the corner but left it in as it looked like an abstract representation of the sun providing the aura... (how's that for pretentious mumbo jumbo)

If I may digress for a moment to ask a left-of-field question of Bird Dog or RJLHughes - Does the concept of 'HOLY' apply in Buddhism, given that the Buddha is not a deity but a person of extreme enlightenment?

Sorry, back to normal transmission.

On a more relevant note, I do quite like the modified version and am encouraged by the exploration of the possibilities to strengthen the narrative power of the photo thta is evident.

Cheers,

Yep,

the Dalai Lama is His Holiness, as are a number of other senior Buddhist figures. Mostly 'Venerable' is the title, however. And those wandering Indian Fakirs are often called holy men.

Holiness is an interesting concept. There are many people who are deeply involved in religion who may not make it to the standard of 'holiness'. Piety is a different concept.

Indo-European Root Etymology is of the word kailo- meaning "Whole, uninjured, of good omen."

I think it probably means putting into action the higher principles you believe in. Being 'whole' between your talk and your walk.

And that's very tough for most of us.

But there are undoubtedly people who do put their beliefs into practice at a higher level than the rest of us, and they're the holy ones.

I think Lama Choedak Yutok in Canberra is a truly holy man. Thich Nhat Hahn is undoubtedly holy, too.

Here's the dictionary definition:

ho·ly

1. Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.
2. Regarded with or worthy of worship or veneration; revered: a holy book.
3. Living according to a strict or highly moral religious or spiritual system; saintly: a holy person.
4. Specified or set apart for a religious purpose: a holy place.
5. Solemnly undertaken; sacrosanct: a holy pledge.
6. Regarded as deserving special respect or reverence: The pursuit of peace is our holiest quest.
7. Informal. Used as an intensive: raised holy hell over the mischief their children did.

John, another way to blur the background more would have been to use a 50 mm 1.4 wide open instead of your 1.8. I'm sure Birddog could help you find one of these.

rjlhughes

I think Lama Choedak Yutok in Canberra is a truly holy man. Thich Nhat Hanh is undoubtedly holy, too.

Yes, they're,
The Most Senior Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh is a HOLY!
Fortunately, I had few times talking and listening his lectures in the past,
am still missed him very much.

He's just been back in Vietnam for the first time in many many years. Some of the sangha I belong to were there with him. Many of the members have been to Deer Park.

But I've only seen him on video, and read his books.

rjlhughes wrote:He's just been back in Vietnam for the first time in many many years. Some of the sangha I belong to were there with him. Many of the members have been to Deer Park.

But I've only seen him on video, and read his books.

Bob,
Great to know that you have the same of my beliefs and opinions.
I have few of his books and friend of mine used to be his student before 1975 in VN.

John: the GB works well, but the final image looks too warm for my liking. Of course it's an essential part of the image and I doubt the image would have the same feel with a cooler WB. Maybe it might lose a bit of impact, but it's something you might like to have a play with anyway.