the secret of the dance Photo

Photographer’s Note

This really is my kind of art: a nondescript rural Khmer pagoda in a small village, somewhere in the Mekong Delta, with those typical faded colours...

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The dancing figure is called an aspara. These are supernatural beings, appearing as young women of great beauty and elegance who are proficient in the art of dancing. They dance in the palaces of the gods and entertain gods and fallen heroes.

Apsara's are said to be able to change their shape at will and are associated with water and with fertility rites. In Hinduism they are sometimes regarded as nature spirits who may lure men to their deaths!

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Another shot taken in the village of the frog...

This is not far from O Mon, which is to the north from Can Tho. We visited it together with someone who was working in a farming project there.

(scanned image)

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song title by Gillan

Floydian, Budapestman, shevchenko trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Niebaotan (300) 2009-01-20 11:06

Hi Benny!

This is beautiful art indeed and I would like to see this place myself one day. I appreciate your compsition, giving the picture depth with the marvelous looking temple at the back and the faded colors are simply amazing in my eyes. And I personally think that the white sky fits this picture really well. Good work

TFS
Peter

Floydian (30970) 2009-01-20 14:53

Hallo Benny,

Heel subtiel opgezet, maar ook alles mooi passend in het kader bijeen gebracht. Dit zijn geen composities die iedereen ziet en juist daarom boeiend om naar te kijken. Dat hij hier amper aandacht krijgt zegt meer over de mensen dan over de kwalitiet van deze foto.
Mooie scan, heel natuurgetrouw neergzet...

Groet,

Henk

sevy (13892) 2009-01-20 23:59

Bonjour Benny,

Avec le rendu particulier des couleurs (leger sentiment de desaturation peut etre induit par le scan), cette photo acquiere un bel aspect graphique, renforcé par le cadrage et la composition particulierement reussis. Dans ce sens, le ciel blanc, loin d etre un defaut, serait plutot une qualité en mettant en valeur les toits.

Yves.

Budapestman (42660) 2009-01-21 3:55

Hi Benny,
Superb architectural shot with beautiful details and attractive vertical composition.Have a nice day!
-Thank you for your kind words to my 600th photo.
George

bukitgolfb301 (4883) 2009-01-21 12:52

Hello my dear Benny

I am surprised that Vietnam has such Laos style temple and apsara dance leleaf from Cambodia. I see--. Once upon time Vietnam was influenced by these two countries too, not only influenced. Anyway good framework and calm color, good job as usual.

Best regards and many thanks

takero

shevchenko (10016) 2009-01-21 18:14

Hi Benny,
Creative pov and good frame to show an old wall with including background traditional architecture, this old wall still in good condition, nice to see the colorful carving and artistic border, thanks for sharing.
Ally

david_malec (56) 2009-01-28 4:18

Hi Benny, I like framing and composition, good idea. It's always find the right angle , but this seems to be just fine.

Keep them coming

Angshu (33995) 2009-01-28 19:56

Hello Benny
We see these type of headgear on the apsaras of Cambodia, past & present! The temple structure looks Lao style. So it's quite an admixture of culture in this photograph really! Like your framing with the detail work on the right & bottom. The washed out sky is a pretty common feature in those parts, but otherwise I like this picture, the way you depicted the art & composed it. Well done!
Regards
Angshu

CycleEyes (598) 2009-07-04 15:39

Hello Benny

Oporttune composition showing culture and architecture. Nice exposure and colour tones .
Regards

George