Flesh & Stones Photo

Photographer’s Note

As I was approaching the west gate of Angkor Thom in a tuk-tuk, I saw this monk coming back from its morning almsround.

But instead of shooting him with any background, I had a quick reflex and decided to continue towards the gate and wait for him to arrive.

Once he was close to me, I was already prepared with the image concept I wanted to create, the proper lens and camera settings. It was now a matter of persuading him to accept being photographed.

After I've received his approval, I just kneel down in order to get both faces in the proper angle and asked him to look towards the horizon instead of the camera.

I offered him a lift to drive him back to his monastery and while we were talking together, I showed him the result on the back of my camera; as he wasn't aware that I was shooting him to make a visual parallel with the face-tower, he was surprised and was laughing hard.

All the monks are not created equal, some of them are extremely warm and friendly, while others perceive themselves as incarnation of buddha and are difficult to approach, particularly in Thailand.

sevy, danielswalsh, sanjibbehera, bibiweb, ktanska, raphaelhcm, Waylim, Floydian, delkoo, faubry, Dpbours, luisafonso, cbrman, Bartleby, PixelTerror, cdmonson trouve(nt) cette note utile

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sevy (13870) 2009-05-18 22:51

Bonjour André,

Une veritable demonstration ce portrait. Typiquement le genre de chose que j aimerais faire. A l inverse du portrait classique avec bokeh et arriere plan noyé dans le flou, j aime beaucoup l exploitation de l arriere plan et du parallele entre le visage du moine et de la sculpture.
Ca donne du sens a la photo en placant le portrait dans son contexte culturel, sans parler du dynamisme apporté par la contre plongée peu souvent utiliser dans un tel cas.
Si j avais un chapeau, je te saluerai bien bas avec.

Yves.

danielswalsh (13324) 2009-05-18 22:55

Well executed shot Andre. Good to see you were able to get the shot of the monk without being asked for money (as unfortunately- many of them do)...
My only suggestion for this otherwise great shot is a fine black (2 pixel) pinstripe frame before adding the white frame. This will give a defined edge to the frame instead of the clouds blending into the frame.

All the best,
- Dan

devimeuxbe (56188) 2009-05-18 23:04

Bonjour André
je vois que tu étais au Cambodge. En mars en plus ! j'y étais ! superbe cadrage; Il fallait avoir l'oeil pour superposer ces 2 têtes. la netteté est parfaite. On dirait qu'il posait pour toi ?
Amicalement
Bertrand

Jeppo (12018) 2009-05-18 23:13

ciao André,

c'est une belle image....très differente des images typiques qu'on a du Angkor thom.

j'aime bien le contraste entre l'orange vivide des vetements et les tonalités des visages du Bayon....

merci de la partager
silvio

bibiweb (8) 2009-05-18 23:34

Salut André,
C'est sympa de nous faire profiter ainsi de quelques images avant de disparaitre à nouveau pour plusieurs semaines. J'ai beaucoup aimé le récit de cette prise de vue et il faut reconnaitre que, comme d'habitude, le résultat est magnifique. Il n'y avait que toi pour avoir l'idée de juxtaposer ces deux visages avec ce cadrage entre contre-plongée...
Bizzz
Bibi

ktanska (16695) 2009-05-18 23:38

Hi Andre,
Great to see you are back.
Fascinating combination, orange vs. cool tones, sharp and blurry. And the umbrella making the split in original form. Low angle works well.
Kari

raphaelhcm (490) 2009-05-18 23:56

Bonjour Andre,
Quelle belle photo pleine de caractere, autant dans la composition, que dans la gestion des couleurs, des contrastes et des tonalites, et de la finesse et du pique. L'elaboration de ta prise de vue est reellement bien recherchee et travaillee, avec ces 2 portraits bien combines.
Cordialement,

Raphael

Waylim (11073) 2009-05-19 0:19

Andre,
A very well planned portrait shot and the result is great as we can see. I like all the arrangement of the position of the monks and the carving stone face, and he should be happy to see this image. Such a strong contrast of the orange robe, he even went further to have an orange umbrella. Monks in smaller country and less touristic area are more approachable, as a matter of fact, in many part of Laos, the role is vice versa. You will be approached by many monks who want a chance encounter with foreigners out of curiosity, and they are eager to learn English, and they really don't mind being photographed, except the shy. Most are very modest and humble. Some Westerners are actually tired of being bothered by monks. May be not in the touristic because they are being photographed every time they go out to their morning ritual, I would be annoyed if I were monks there. Sometimes tourists can be aggressive and in your face when photographing. In this case I think we should be more respectful and keep a distance and shot with long lens. In your case, it perfectly fine, since he is not on his duty and you have his permission. Anyway great shot, I really enjoyed it.
Way

Floydian (30970) 2009-05-19 0:48

Dear friend,

Your quick response and seeing an extra part in the final picture brought out something extra than only a monk with an umbrella. The statue above seems to watch over him and brings a great extra detail inside the composition. Light and sharpness on his face, another strong key in this picture, just as the colours of his robe against the dark tones of Angkor....a good one.
You most be very busy sorting out those zillions of good ones, any time for sleep? ;-)

Take care,

Henk

delkoo (34582) 2009-05-19 1:50

bonjour andré,
la photo est extrêmement belle , ce qui me plait le plus c'est ton approche et le fait d'avoir "vu" la photo avant de la faire.

félicitations.

didier

faubry (32403) 2009-05-19 1:59

Bonjour André, tu étais à genoux devant lui??? un superbe portrait dont le parapluie est important surtout qu il nous laisse voir la statue derrière, tu as rapporté des perles!!!
amitiés
francine

Dpbours (220) 2009-05-19 2:22

Hello Andre,

A very interesting note to read! That must have been a very nice discussion you have had there with him! I like the explanation of the difference in monks. Guess monks are more human than we think ;-).

Dennis

luisafonso (858) 2009-05-19 2:48

Incredible output from your gear. No doubt about it.
I like the grandiose feel of this one. The juxtaposition of the two faces even enhances that imposing presence. Great light on his face! I also like how you clearly isolated the subject from the God like background with that yellow umbrella. Very clever at the same time it adds another element to the scene. Very good. You are showing brave and creative results. I am liking that!

cbrman (18985) 2009-05-19 3:22

Hello André,

Un portrait bien mis en scène est cadré de très belle manière. Cela permet de faire ressortir la couleurs du moine mais surtout, malgré le centrage du visage, de donner l'accent sur le regard. Le point de vue rabaissé donne une certaine prestance au sujet. L'idée du double regard est très bonne.
A+

Dominique

marietom (32060) 2009-05-19 3:35

salut André,

C'est un régal, de voir ce que tu rapportes de ce voyage !
J'aime beaucoup ces deux visages presque alignés, celui de l'homme, et celui de pierres. Les couleurs sont superbes aussi.
Bises
Marie

jonathan_hart (22580) 2009-05-19 6:20

pas mal du tout cet alignement
plutôt original alors qu'il s'agit de sujets vus et revus sur ce site, bravo
jc

Bartleby (5074) 2009-05-19 7:01

Hi Andre,
I really look up at your picture. I was in Angkor some weeks ago and I have to say you found a very original point of view. I think you wouldn't have dared ask him...I still have to overcome some shyness here but I gotta say I love the result. The echoing faces, the bright orange against the stone-colored gate. Excellent!

Philippe

scalerman (25783) 2009-05-19 11:33

Andé: always a pleasure, your copious notes - yes, I'm a bit more taciturn. Anyway, kudos on the quick thinking and composition rally - I would've done the same. Great result in this creative tour de force. I like the complacent, enlightened gaze from your stone master's purview... a winner. stay in touch. c

PixelTerror (86620) 2009-05-19 12:31

Salut mon bon cousin,
Alors te voici revenu parmi nous apres tout ce bon temps dans les bras de la belle Wanda... Mince dur retour a la realite !
Heureusement nous tes amis sommes la pour t'aider a affronter ce cap difficile, en plus avec pas de trop bonnes nouvelles car pour ce qui est des monks tu as rate le train d'environ 3 ans, en etudiant les photos de Luko tu pourras redecouvrir les meilleurs moments de cette grande epoque des sweeping monks... en attendant j'ai bien rigole en lisant l'histoire de ta photo et le rendu est nickel, meme si a titre personnel je prefererais un beau rouge a cet orange si henkien ;-)
Bonne journee jY

barrufeto_77 (25897) 2009-05-19 15:25

Hi Andre.

Nice how you explain us about the "process" of the picture. The colours and the contrasts are, again, superb!

Rgs, Oscar

gneufeld (15233) 2009-05-19 18:39

Hi Andre,
This is a gorgeous portrait set in a stunning setting. The rich facial tones and warm expression blends perfectly with the umbrella and the backdrop. Very well seen and TFS. Gerald

cdmonson (2757) 2009-05-20 11:04

Hi Andre:

Glad to see you back. What a great composition: the way you've got this monk lined up perfectly with the statue, the lower perspective, the umbrella that's similar in color to his robe but different enough to stand out. Great job.

Clark

Angshu (33985) 2009-05-21 0:35

Hello Andre
It's the concept that's novel & mighty interesting! The giant face of Bayon is 'cupped' well by the curve of the umbrella...bokehed, but there, distinct yet unobstructive for our attention focussed on the main subject, the willing monk! Great shot my friend & a fine, fine note!
Best regards
Angshu
PS : Settled down in Mumbai. Waiting for you to come down here, making Mumbai as a base?! ;-)

everlasting (10938) 2009-05-26 4:01

your well chosen POV elavtes this from just another monk shot. Lovely crisp colours and makign full use of the background.

tola_ch2004 (496) 2009-07-06 12:02