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Some more pics from Ullambana Day last Sunday (refer this thread for some more pics)

These images all focus on prayer. Click a pic for a larger version. The complete gallery can be found here.

bump

30 views - no comments. Are the shots so bad, you hesitate to say, or so fantastic they leave you silent in awe? I suspect the former

Shot 1 and 3 are my favourite, you get a strong feeling of the reverence of those praying (speeling).

Shot 2, something about the sea of brown chairs, I just don't like.

Shot 4, I found the blown highlight on the left detracts from the shot.

Peter,

Very nice shots. I like No.3 the most - excellent composition and DOF.

Alex

Peter, hope you don't take this the wrong way (even so, you can bash me later), all your shots from the monastery seem to adhere to a 'formula' - they're mostly with you standing in the subject's 2 o'clock or 10 o'clock. All the shots are with the same lens, similar framing and distance to subject... They are superb shots (you can give credit to the fine glass or the object behind the viewfinder), but having them presented like that all at once, I find viewing the images kinda 'fatiguing', I don't know how to explain it properly...

Mix it up a bit. If you're choosing to stick with the 1 lens, vary your shooting angle and distance to subject (it seems you're neglecting the zoom with your 50). You know and have mastered the 50 shot with large aperture in daylight with or without fill flash - try something new! Experiment. Deliberately shoot mistakes - ie. use f/16 for a portrait. Throw out the rule books!!!

Onyx wrote:Peter, hope you don't take this the wrong way (even so, you can bash me later), all your shots from the monastery seem to adhere to a 'formula' - they're mostly with you standing in the subject's 2 o'clock or 10 o'clock. All the shots are with the same lens, similar framing and distance to subject... They are superb shots (you can give credit to the fine glass or the object behind the viewfinder), but having them presented like that all at once, I find viewing the images kinda 'fatiguing', I don't know how to explain it properly...

Mix it up a bit. If you're choosing to stick with the 1 lens, vary your shooting angle and distance to subject (it seems you're neglecting the zoom with your 50). You know and have mastered the 50 shot with large aperture in daylight with or without fill flash - try something new! Experiment. Deliberately shoot mistakes - ie. use f/16 for a portrait. Throw out the rule books!!!

Chi

I certainly don't take this the wrong way. Comments like these are where the value lies in posting here. It's necessary to hear both the good and the bad about your work in order to grow and develop. Thanks for the comments.

I'd not really thought about what you say, but you are right. In many ways the 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock is a function of the shooting opportunites (I was down the left or right side of the hall), but I was also a little uncomfortable early on being in people's faces by standing in front of them since I'm not usually doing portrait pics (good to step out of my comfort zone). I have some with the 24-120 and 70-200, but again these are also largely from the same angle. I also have a number taken in the grounds that are very different as well as a whole stack of 24-120 shots of people performing at the concert that afternoon. Both groups are very different to these and I'll be posting these tonight or tomorrow.

Below is one of the Master Venerable when I plucked up the courage to stand in front of him (although looking at it now, I think I might go back and do a tighter crop to remove the monks either side).

Below is the recropped version of the shot of the Master Venerable

Peter. #3 for me, the face of the main subject is interesting, the colours and the repetition of the main subject in the OOF areas are what do it for me.
I also liked the cropped Master Venerable, its the riot of colour with the intricate detail, then in the middle of all this is an old calm wise face.

Nice shots there Stubbsy,

Very relaxing, I might go off and take a bath & have a Prayer

I won't attack one of these images on you like your last lot.

Mic.

stubbsy wrote:Below is the recropped version of the shot of the Master Venerable

...... you have taken away the story........the first post told me a lot, well the cropped verson, although good, does not have as much interest.....

Thanks for the comments guys. #1 & #3 are my faves, plus the Master Venerable (wanted more pics of him but didn't have the courage). These people exude calmness - it's amazing to experience.

BP - I agree cropped version has less impact.