Feeding the Soul, a photo from Mandalay, North

Photographer's Note

Being a monk is a very arduous and disciplined life, most moments of existence being dictated by repeated duties, common tasks, personal responsibilities and devotion through praying and learning about Buddha.

This is why most of my photos are presenting monks in spiritual or dutiful situations, but the upcoming ones will illustrate a different side of these boys and girls, who seem to have lost their childhood.

RhodieIke, daddo, sevy, vishaal, ktanska, Romano46, jhm, Bartleby oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

adidas5nb (5743) 2014-01-21 19:28

wow beautiful.frame within a frame always makes for interesting viewing plus the boys mood makes it even better and intense .nicely done.
regards
dwaipayan

RhodieIke (11752) 2014-01-21 21:20

Wow, Andre,
This is fantastic, looking through that gorgeous carved wooden frame on to the young monk deep in his prayers and religion. Super lighting to create a splendid mood.
Love it, well done and Tfs,
Trust you are well.
Cheers,
Iain.

daddo (28698) 2014-01-21 22:43

Hi Andre. At first I thought it was a mirror image from an ornately framed mirror, but it would have been out of place in a place like this.Beautifully carved old wood frames the little novice very nicely and adds a sense of delicacy to this excellent concept. Regards. Klaudio.

emka (139388) 2014-01-21 22:45

hello Andre Andre,

Marvelous photo, the young monk looks so concentrated on what he is reading. He is shown in such a beautiful light. And what a splendid wooden sculptures are framing this view. I haven't seen girls monks, but many boys and they are still kids, who have fun and joy.
I do not remember this monastery from Bagan , I saw similar one in Mandalay.
Warm regrads Malgo

jemaflor (125843) 2014-01-21 22:58

Salut André,
Bravo pour cet originale présentation, quel joli cadre pour valoriser cet enfant, la luminosité est parfaite pour donner du relief ŕ l'image, intéressant effet de profondeur de vue. Belle attitude trčs concentré de ce jeune lecteur.

rigoletto (34279) 2014-01-21 23:05

hi andré. elegant as always, well oberved, thick framed mirror-like scene. so, crossing the legs is not prohibited as being luxury, that's good to learn. i also didn't know girls were accepted as monks. i don't remember seeing any female monks either. it is interesting how you prowl in these monasteries so invisile and uninterrupted. their privacy is seemingly not that private.

ManuMay (36447) 2014-01-21 23:21

Hi Andre!

Excellent presentation, the way you have framed subject is clever and well seen, fits very well to the idea by warming colours and Wood textures on same tones...and inside you could breathe peace and meditation. As portrait it looks very good too...a superb capture!!

Have a nice day...

I will include on my favourites list...Thanks!!

Manu

jjcordier (79299) 2014-01-21 23:27

André
Remarquable photo (comme toutes celles que tu nous offres!) de ce petit moine parfaitement concentré sur sa lecture. Gestion splendide de la lumičre, harmonie des tons d'image et parfaite exploitation de cette ouverture en premier plan. Une merveille!
Amicalement
JJ

Antipodean (666) 2014-01-22 0:20

Kia ora Andre (Greetings from New Zealand),
Tremendous composition. Amazingly framed, your photo speaks more than a thousand words. Cheers, Neil

sevy (58) 2014-01-22 2:00

Salut André,

Une bien belle présentation. Ici l'effet de cadre dans le cadre n'est pas artificiel, il fait parti intégrante de la photo, apportant sa part d'information et de 'design'. Il amčne naturellement le regard vers le moinillon concentré sur sa lecture.
Cette photo supporterait un travail d'encadrement assez élaboré pour ajouter une marie-louise puis un léger liseré tons bois pour amplifier l'impression de profondeur.

Yves.

Kamilutka (8107) 2014-01-22 2:24

Hello Andre,
very artistic photo which not only show the little monk in its natural activity but has been presented very beautifully. The framing makes the whole image look like some kind of photo in wooden frame sitting on the mantelpiece. Great composition and superb idea.
Thanks for sharing
Kamila

holmertz (83434) 2014-01-22 3:05

Hello Andre,
This is a fairly fabulous photo. You combine a discreet view of the young novice with some fine woodcarvings in an elegantly framed study of life in the monastery. Knowing how novices and young monks enjoy the same kind of fun as any other young persons this one could be reading a comic story or whatever, but I suppose it's some deeper literature. The light is beautiful and all colours go very well together.
Kind regards,
Gert

vishaal (1042) 2014-01-22 3:39

Hi André,
This is so beautiful... a remarkable shot with an amazing perspective. Superb composition, sharpness and depth. I love it. An excellent light management. Bravo !!
Amicalement
Vishal.

vjmite (4216) 2014-01-22 4:23

Hi Andre,

A great idea using the ornate frame with the boy seen inside. His face is lit up well, showing the calm look as he reads. The detail on the wood carving is superb. A fantastic shot.

Vince

KristinsCamera (2384) 2014-01-22 5:53

beautiful shot, andre ~
i like the layers, as if we are looking into the soul itself of this young boy.
the complexities and intricate carvings of this window are an interesting framework, providing a nice contrast to the simple scene within. the colors are lovely.
nicely done.
kristin

Giustiniani (3650) 2014-01-22 6:44

Bonjour André,
c'est une trčs belle idée de photographier le reflet de cet enfant. Les tons de la photo sont en parfaite harmonie et la lumičre sur le garçon est trčs belle. Trčs beau rendu et belle atmosphčre.
Amicalement,
Magaly

ktanska (36445) 2014-01-22 11:35

Hi André,
That frame is no less than spectacular. And a little boy in orange is quite thought provoking. I'm sure he isn't reading comics!
Kari

Romano46 (18472) 2014-01-22 12:55

Ciao Andre
davanti ad una simile fotografia non si possono che fare i complimenti.
Tutto appare perfetto e la gestione della luce e la composizione sono perfette e concorrono alla valorizzazione del soggetto.
Uno scatto magnifico e straordinario.
Complimenti
Ciao e buona serata
Romano

worldcitizen (12762) 2014-01-22 16:48

Hello André,
Here's my description of this scene: timeless elegance. The intricately carved wooden frame is beautiful, and the lighting on the young monk is perfect. I like his pose, and the quiet concentration on his face. You found a common scene, and elevated it to art.

jhm (191505) 2014-01-23 3:54

Hello Andre,

Exactly or you took these young monk in a mirror with reflections.
Colours and presentation make these picture attractive.
Sharpness and clarity be superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Enjoy the day ahead,
John.

willperrett (13428) 2014-01-23 8:42

Hello Andre
Can't decide if this is a mirror or a window. I guess it doesn't matter either way: you've got the feeling of peeking in to this boy's private study. For me he doesn't look as if he's lost his childhood, merely engrossed in what he's doing. And I bet in a while he'll be larking about as I've seen young monks do so often in the Far East. I love the subdued brown and orange tones, and the sharpness of the foreground carving as well as the boy sitting 4 or 5 metres away is startling with an aperture of f/2.8! Good work.
Regards
Will

Bartleby (13552) 2014-01-23 12:48

Salut André,
un cadre en bois pour illustrer un cadre de vie rigide...en voilŕ une bonne idée. Comme d'hab', j'adore la lumičre, l'expo, la pose....top quoi!

Philippe

wolf38 (30) 2014-01-24 2:24

Hello Andre. Here you show another very impressive photo. The two levels complement each other perfectly. Front into the wood carved ornaments, behind the reading monk. The image has so much peace and aesthetics. My highest appreciation for this masterpiece.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

PierrotNC (58) 2014-01-25 15:25

Hello!

My god... Thank you for this photo, it is absolutely splendid. I can't say a lot about technique, but it does speak to me... :-)

Did you go to Korea (some places definitely not to miss), or Japan?

Kind regards
Pierre

Waylim (25436) 2014-01-26 18:47

Hi Andre,

Words is useless to describe the beauty of this image. I'm surprise that this did not get more comment and favorites, and it is not that easy any more, people don't put pictures in their favorites easily these days. It is for sure one of my.

Thanks.

W

Angshu (56760) 2014-02-04 1:53

Hello dear Maestro Andre
What do I say!
The artwork on the wood is exquisite & you captured it brilliantly! But your subject is at peace with himself (or herself?) relaxing on the chair with soft light falling on him..
Respects!
Best Regards
Angshu
The least I can do is fav your wonderful pic

everlasting (16634) 2014-02-16 3:06

The frame itself is interesting looing trough to see this young novice relaxed in the chair would make my think that you set this up:) how could you be so lucky. The PP is beautiful with these subtle tones.

Oceania (5202) 2014-03-13 6:32

Hi Andre,

If study this picture carefully, every aspect in term of photography is in perfection. It's definitely one of your masterpieces. You used a mirror as a frame. What a smart and creative way to compose a picture! It's such an admirable piece of art.

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4814) 2014-03-30 2:19

A frame within a frame. Perfect for NatGeo! Nice colors, ambiance and framing. It's just beautifully captured. Wonderful!

All the best,
M

federico (5785) 2014-04-18 13:41

hello andre, wonnderfull shot, a great framing with a very inspiring subject in the background
perfect lighting sharpness and saturation
regards
fred