Smoking ceremony

[Matt. K]

Casula today. Comments welcome.

[Alex]

Matt,

These are fantastic captures! Number 1 portraits action beautifully.

Well done

Alex

[Bob G]

Really nice set.

Not sure what the ghosting is in #1 but, if anything, it probably adds to the mystique.

[sirhc55]

#1 - Excellent interpretation of what is happening

#2 - Brick wall does not fit the concept

#3 - Again, the surroundings do not do justice to the concept

[Matt. K]

Chris
He was where he was.

[zafra52]

Matt, I guess this is a blessing ceremony of a building
perhaps so the choice of decor/background was practically
not there. For some reason, I like number 2 best , then 1
with that panning of the camera (I am guessing) to keep
the subject in focus with a blur background and keeping
that sense of movement. I find the lighting in 3
unbalanced and I am wondering if making the darker
side of your subject a touch lighter would improve the
portrait. Personally, I think you have done a very good
job and are very brave for taking pictures of these
ceremonies. It would be difficult because you have to be
unobtrusive and making sure your subjects retains the dignity
and respect they deserve.

[biggerry]

Matt, that first one is stellar, not quite sure how you did it, especially w/o flash. The slight ghosting adds to teh atmosphere of teh ceremony

[stubbsy]

Far out Matt - stop raising the bar

#1 is sublime. #2 isn't bad either but #1 - wow - love the colour, the composition and even the odd blur effect you've got