Photographer's Note
OK, OK, I admit it is not an original idea from me anymore. I just can't help myself, I find this to be interesting.
Actually, this photo is a symbol of better times ahead for me. Since SARS hit here in Taipei, Lungshan Temple, where this was taken, had been particularly hard hit. Normally, this temple is bustling with people. Sometimes, I would guess there were over 1000 people on the temple grounds. During the peak of SARS, that number dropped to well below 100 at even some of the busier times. I took this yesterday, and by no means were there thousands of people there, the number again was at least into the hundreds. Although it is not completely there, life is getting back to normal here. Hopefully it can stay that way.
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greg
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 639 W: 306 N: 97]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(2835) 2003-06-23 4:12
This is a superb shot, Darren: the light on the railings, the unfocussed red, the pose of the figure. Just great.
gringofil
(0) 2003-06-23 4:13
Remember Darren how you told me about the background being a bit too busy? I'm afraid this is the case here. The candles really distract me here and take away from your subject (as well as other subjects below the candles). If you shot him just against the metal poles on the left it would have worked much better, I think, as they serve as a nice background.
But what I do like is the man himself. I like his traditional Chinese clothing and the black face mask. I'll be honest and say that in the thumbnail he looks as if he's got no face at all. This would have been really nice if the background would have been different. I can see myself stepping back in time here, because of the clothing, etc., but also being very much in the present with the face mask and the ongoing fear of SARS.
This is well done, Darren, but not the best shot in the series.
Luko
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(14000) 2003-06-24 13:20
I'll take the opposite side of Fil's arguments to come to the same conclusion.
Everyone has rules for the perfect shot, mine include a bias towards message and context. This often means shots crowded with people or objects and hard work finding a sensible relationship between all.
I'd sign below what Greg wrote : blurred candles and the fence texture are very interesting features. The man's the perfect figure of a praying chinese (clothes). China, praying, candles, low key temple atmosphere everything connects so far.
BUT, there's something that ruins the pic.
My eyes are attracted by the light spot at the right side of the lower fence while the darker lower right side quarter is like a black hole in your image, it sucks my vision, stuck down here and hopeless to get my eyes out of the area.
I'm sure it wouldn't happen with lighter lower background, but it could also be the result of a too crowded shot.
See, same conclusion as Fil's...
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 102 W: 27 N: 29]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-s.gif){kind=small}
Photo Information
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Copyright: Darren Melrose (Darren)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1468 W: 120 N: 1049]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(6823) - Genre: Άνθρωποι
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2003-06-23
- Categories: Τελετή
- Camera: Pentax Z-1, Sigma 70-200 f2.8EX, Fuji Superia 400
- Details: Tripod: Yes
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Θέμα(τα): Devotion in the Time of SARS, Buddhist Pray [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2003-06-23 2:02
