"Reassuring Hands" Photo

Photographer’s Note

Another in my series from the Hindu festivities of Thaipusam.

The man in this photo has just had the offerings removed from his body, and is being cared to by the helpers. I noticed quite a few participants with their head shaved and covered in this yellow paint. I'm not quite sure what the yellow paint signifies, f anyone knows- I'd love to hear...

Update: Thanks to Sathiyan for the info: Head Tonsuring is the shaving of the head- a means to thank a god and is fairly common practice in Hindu Religion. Once they have tonsured (shaved) the head- sandelpaste is applied to sooth any burning from the shaving.

I hope you like the photo...
- Dan

jufaillace, anavazao, PJE, eleparc, annagrace, Cuba-Junky trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Niara78 (0) 2006-02-15 10:42

Interesting, beautiful shot. I like your point of view, the colours, the moment captured. Thanks for sharing! :)

Best regards,

Nathalie

nbj (1871) 2006-02-15 10:55

Intriguing and beautiful shot. Not seeing his face makes it all the more interesting.

jufaillace (266) 2006-02-15 11:17

It seems the yellow paint is shinning!!

rhizomes (15325) 2006-02-15 11:21

Hi Dan,
Very impressive picture with nice colors and great texture of the paintings...
Good point of view !
Christophe

Tezic (16927) 2006-02-15 12:01

perfect sharpness and fantastic yellow shining... very impressive picture ... congratulations..
rgds / coskun

ndb1958 (9248) 2006-02-15 13:04

Hi Dan: Beautiful like a sculpture. Amazing.
I love the golden head and the white on his dark skin. This is one more for my favorits.
Nino

john_c (24635) 2006-02-15 13:28

Hi Dan,
This is quite an astounding series you have been running on the festival. This shot is like a painting. The prevailing sepia and brown hues blend together so well and the clarity is superb. Good use of the portrait format here, as in the other frames. Another great capture in this series. Cheers.
John

anavazao (5592) 2006-02-15 16:17

Hi,
great moment with very clever shot!
Nice note with great details!
Ana:)

PJE (19471) 2006-02-15 18:24

Dan I love the colors and details captured in this photo. Meaning of the yellow? I am not sure but I would venture to guess that the yellow might symbolize sunshine or divine light or presence just as the shining sunlight. So to have a covering of yellow might be to have a presence of a divine blessing on one's life. Just a guess!

Cormac (26451) 2006-02-15 18:41

Very striking photo! The close up of the man's head really gets my attention, and the paint & hands add a lot too. It's interesting the way you took the back of his head, which makes the viewer wonder about his face as it is hidden - a bit of mystery. Great work Dan!

sathiyan (206) 2006-02-16 0:04

Hi Dan,
Excellent and atractive photo.By the way answer to your question is **Head tonsuring is one of the way to thank god and it's pretty common in hindu religion
Once they tonsured the head they applay sandelpaste on a head to get ride of burning.
My photo on TE

eleparc (24059) 2006-02-18 12:08

This shot could have come from Africa too! and I love it! this back side portrait and the colors and textures are extraordinary to me! :-)

great shot Daniel!

Eric

Burberry1 (6041) 2006-02-20 9:17

Hello Dan:))))
Amazing shot with an interesting POV and wonderful colors.
It's really difficult not to pay attention to it.
Very well done,
Agnieszka

annagrace (2463) 2006-02-24 23:39

Fascinating photo of an interesting costume. I love the contrasting colors against the dark skin.

Alli

lukas (2027) 2006-03-21 7:56

I like this picture who says very much about the creativity of this people. Well done. Good colors and light. Excellent!
Luc

Cuba-Junky (2795) 2006-03-30 1:19

Nice POV and simple colors do the trick for an interesting view on traditions.
Love all your people pictures and educational notes.
Thanks
An

jdwyer264 (1082) 2006-11-22 18:12

I do like it Dan. A lot, I love the contrasting colours the white against the mans dark skin. I also like the subtle detail in the mans neck tattoo. Well composed and captured image, however I do think the image could be sharpened slightly, that's all. well done.