Men At Work!, a photo from Siem Reab, West

Photographer's Note

North of Siem Reap city, just before Tonle Sap Lake, there is a mountain temple by the roadside. Walking up the mountain took 20 minutes. Along the way, these monks were busy at work on the road fully dressed in orange robes, laying bamboo mattress as reinforcement to build for concrete road pavement. I wonder where they learned how to use bamboo mattress as reinforcemetn? I had experience in doing road projects using either bamboo or timber mattress on soft ground conditions, but never on a good solid hilly ground. In this respect, I can say they are knowledgeable modern-day monks! I have seen monks doing things but never technical work such as this.

It is a bit difficult to be dressed on a hot afternoon in these robes to work like this. I had no idea who the man in white would be. Looking at the bamboo mattress, there were very well prepared and laid with good skill and workmanship. As I walked up the hill, it was dusty with gust of winds but the monks with the orange color struck a strong view which I could not resist in shooting. I might even suspect the monks were trained in class and perhaps this work could be their practical, with the man in white doing evaluation assessment of work?

Thinking of this daily life, I cannot comprehend how this would work. Monks doing work for free, in return for rice and vegetarian food. I used to think only they learn Buddhism and prayers, but here I see physical hardwork contributing to a small part of nation building activity. I would never have learned this in university economics class. Non-profit. From my observation, the mattress grids were done in excellent workmanship, no cut-corner shortcuts!

sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, iso1000 [forgot to adjust after shooting portrait in shade], FL200mm

COSTANTINO, azaf1, dabeed, ChrisJ, bakes888, rodgerg, snunney, belido, CMJC, Gerrit, Budapestman, papagolf21, danos, paura, phwall, jusninasirun, Longroute, avene, delkoo, JCG, Colombiana, axiotea, Kielia, stego, gunbud, jafadabret, skippy007, AiresSantos, Bluejeans, pierrefonds, mafegan oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

COSTANTINO (117940) 2009-03-28 10:55

Hello Bill
Nice experience to walk up the mountain..
A shot showing these monks and your notes so interesting to understand the photo better..
You were very lucky,thanks for sharing such an experience
regards and greetings
Costantino

azaf1 (15931) 2009-03-28 11:07

Hi Bill

I really like the detailed note about the monks, and your composition is really attractive. The framing is really nice in sharp details and the orange of their robes is really striking. A picture worth looking at.

Have a nice weekend and TFS
Argiris

emka (158962) 2009-03-28 14:52

Hi Bill, Nice and interesting scene. It is always surprising how the people in Asia can work on hot days with such robes . Nice colours.

regards

Malgorzata

ChrisJ (172442) 2009-03-28 17:15

Hello Bill

A good study of patterns with the standing, white shirted man at left breaking the pattern of the seated, orange robed monks. Excellent sharpness & contrast. Tfs!

SteveH (8220) 2009-03-28 17:36

Hi Bill, the arrangement of the people in the image works well. Unusually, giving prominence to the man in white rather than the colourful monks. Interesting note - I would not have thought that bamboo would make good reinforcing material.... (I would go out and buy a camera straight away which had ISO displayed in the view finder). cheers, Steve

bakes888 (18499) 2009-03-28 19:16

Hi Bill. The orange robes certainly stand out from the BG. Good environmental portrait with natural pose and setting. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
Have a good Sunday, Paul.

rodgerg (55767) 2009-03-29 2:03

Hello Bill,

A very original scene of life very well collected. I like especially the contrast between the man and the monks. The attitude of the peoples are very well collected too. The orange color arise very well in the image. Good and interesting phtowork.
Have a good sunday,
Roger

snunney (130967) 2009-03-29 2:24

Hello Bill,
An interesting daily life image, not the sort of scene we experience here in the West. An interesting and varied set of poses. Good vivid colours and clarity. Your explanatory note is very helpful.

siamesa (28231) 2009-03-29 3:43

Hi Bill

It's a different way to reforce concrete, really.
Very interesting image of these monks working there. TFS
Abraços
maria

belido (19934) 2009-03-29 4:09

Hi Bill,

it's not only about a colorful and attractive daily life shot but also an interesting scene from Cambodia. Your note makes this a good documentary register. Very well done, my friend!
Regards,
Carlos

CMJC (5115) 2009-03-29 5:18

interessant ŕ plus d'un titre cette photo; je ne savais pas que l'on pouvait faire du treillage de bambou pour couller ensuite du béton - les méthode ancestrales sont sűrement aussi bonnes que nos treillages métalliques.
la compo de l'image est belle mais en effet qui est cet homme en blanc? un contraste surprenant

Gerrit (62042) 2009-03-29 7:48

Hi Bill,
interesting photo and a perfect capture.
Good composition and the colors are great.
Regards, gerrit

jmdias (116635) 2009-03-29 8:50

bill

beautiful work. I liked the strong orange color against the others, I liked the soft light, the subject and the framing. well done

hugs

jorge

bracasha75 (24591) 2009-03-29 11:13

Helo Bill
One sharp shot and one lovely scene of people working for thier existenc
Excellent picture
Thank you
Greatings from Serbia
Bratislav

Budapestman (82620) 2009-03-29 11:25

Hi Bill,
Splendid daily life shot with spectacular composition and superb colours. Excellent timing and POV, really attractive image. Have a nice day!
George

papagolf21 (152607) 2009-03-29 13:16

Bonsoir, cher Bill,
Voilŕ une image et une note qui entre tout ŕ fait dans l'esprit de TE, apprendre grâce ŕ la présentation d'images particuličres.
J'apprécie grandement cette réalisation et particuličrement la note qui aide ŕ mieux comprendre un monde qui nous est inconnu !
Félicitations.
Amitiés.
Philippe

danos (110407) 2009-03-29 13:55

Hello Bill,
really these technical knowledges during the construction of a road,from the monks are strange one.I wonder if a car pass from this road,if the bamboo keep the road steady.Never mind perhaps they know much more from us.

have a nice week,Danos

paura (25802) 2009-03-29 15:35

Bill,
Very uncommon scene. The orange clothing results in a beautiful graphic element. Nice photojob.

regards

Paulo

phwall (6787) 2009-03-29 16:04

Hi Bill,
An interesting juxtaposition here, in that your photograph accompanies the note rather than the note accompanying the photograph.
I never knew monks did this type of work either, I thought they were more into studies and prayer rather than manual labour. You live and learn eh!!
The orange robes stand out well against the soft subtle colour tones.
Excellent job, no pun intended.
Cheers
Peter

jusninasirun (17529) 2009-03-29 21:54

Hi Bill,

Those orange robes are really striking in this post. The guy looking at you is prominent against the rest. Very good daily life shot which is gaining a lot of entry to your gallery. Superb work with focus, depth and sharpness.

I like it and TFS. Have a nice day and best regards,
Jusni

danyy (0) 2009-03-29 23:25

Bonjour Bill,
ils ont l'air cool pour des gens qui travaillent. L'utilisation d'un faible profondeur de champ donne du relief ŕ la scčne principale.
Regards.
Daniel.

Longroute (19600) 2009-03-30 3:07

A good capture Bill,

the intense colours of the monk robes are a real fine eye catcher. Fine framing of this interesting scene.
Have a nice day,
Donato

carper (96) 2009-03-30 3:21

very good portrait here Bill of those man at work,
good title, nice composition, fine colors, good photo job, have a nice day.
regard jaap

avene (12675) 2009-03-30 7:31

hi Bill,
unusual scene, and thanks for the detailed note, I found it interesting and valuable addition to the photo itself. funny how the men seem to have arranged themselves specifically for your photo, the man in the white shirt is just in the right place in the frame. the light seems quite difficult, but I don't really mind the white sky, for some reason it s not distracting in this case.

best,
Kristine

delkoo (68) 2009-03-30 9:48

hi bill
you were there at the right moment to get that surprising episode of monk's life, I am also a bit surprised to see them working???

interesting note as well

best regards
didier

JCG (35153) 2009-03-30 10:14

Hi Bill,

Even the gentleman who is standing has something orange on him, or rather in the hands !!! In reading your very interesting note, the monks have an ancestral know-how apparently, and it translates well on this beautiful photo. A beautiful composition on this scene of daily life with colors that give a good contrast to the image. I love the balance of the picture. Well seen and really interesting, thank you Bill.

With all my friendships and soon

Jean-Charles

sagar (2410) 2009-03-30 13:49

Hi Bill,
The orange robes provides the perfect touch to the shot, Though, I feel you could have avoided the OE sky on the left, I have to complement your palying around with the strong colors.
Regards,
Sagarneel.

MarianneS (15338) 2009-03-30 14:01

Hello Bill,
You captured a very interesting moment.
While reading your note, I could not stop my self to go from the note to the picture and then from the picture to the note, trying to understand what they are doing.
The presence of the man in white is quite suprising, nearly disturbing ...
Have a good night and TFS.
Regards,
Marianne

Colombiana (2957) 2009-03-30 18:28

Hi Bill,
The 'subjects' were effectively positioned to make this composition work well. The orange robes of the monks contrast well against the black and white clothing of the man next to them.

Regards,
Maryori

axiotea (21651) 2009-03-30 18:39

Hello Bill
Thanks for the good explanation of what are doing these monks (without the note, it was difficult to understand). They look very relax and their robes are an eye catcher! It looks like the sun was hiding that day ;)
Have a nice day
Marilyn

Kielia (24077) 2009-03-31 9:47

Hi Bill,
very interesting impression accompanied by a very useful note. This is what I appreciate here. It is a pity that the man in white, who looks like a teacher or an instructor, did not explain to you what they were doing there.
The photo work is very good too, strong colors and a very nice use of the light. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

stego (24132) 2009-03-31 12:49

Hi Bill,
Interesting and achieved capture, for a number of reasons. It's funny to see the different poses and expressions and those two noticing that they are photographed makes it very special. It is very well composed graphic wise, not to mention that the orange robes make it very catchy. It's only pity the burnt out slightly yellowish sky, but we can't have everything, can we? It's remarkable that such thing didn't seem to cause any damage on the rest of the image.
Regards, José.

kevinos (7517) 2009-03-31 20:05

This is a very nice daily life scene, Bill and the subjects are frames together perfectly.Regards kevin

gunbud (34066) 2009-04-01 5:05

Hello Bill,
Wonderful of the brightly clad monks doing this tedious labor.
The deep concentration is apparent while the man in white and the monk closes to him have spotted something of interest that breaks their concentration on the task at hand.
Regards, Tom

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2009-04-01 6:50

Hi Bill,
Really well composed. I like the POV, DOF and light... Great work!
All the best.
Ahmet

jafadabret (56501) 2009-04-01 7:59

Bonjour Bill.
Cette scčne des moines au travail est bien rendue. Les moines associent le travail manuel ŕ la pričre et ŕ la méditation pour une vie équilibrée et épanouie. Une excellente photo reportage !
Jacques

skippy007 (12510) 2009-04-01 15:44

Hello Bill, I think it's the orange coloured robes of these hard working Monks that makes this scene very striking, this added with the contrast between these brightly coloured robes & white shirt of the "elder" & the pale BG makes them really stand out. I keep looking at the Monks but my eye always turns to the figure standing, he is very prominent in this scene. This type of intensive manual labour is lost for ever, I think, in many parts of our industrialised world. I like your interesting & very informative note, Thank you
Regards
Santo

foozi (7101) 2009-04-01 17:03

Hi Bill, your visit really gives something new to me. What a beautiful caption of these excellent robes of the monk to contrast with the surrounding. It gives such a great depiction of the people, place and environment.
have camera will travel?
Excellent composition in great sharpness.

regards,
Foozi

Disabled_A (0) 2009-04-01 23:44

Hello Bill,
as always, I read your Note to the photo with much interest. And the photo itself is very interesting (let alone the composition :))
I can only say: I wish I could see (at least once - anywhere) at least one Russian Orthodox monk WORKING - working not for their monastery or church, but helping "mundane" society - like these Buddhist monks...
Kind regards,
Elena

AiresSantos (56155) 2009-04-01 23:51

Hi Bill
Nice picture with the monks working in the road. Fine POV and colours. Very good informative note
Thanks for sharing
Aires

mikolaj_kawa (0) 2009-04-02 1:25

Hello Bill! Very interesting scene. Mysterious monks. Good perspective, very good capture. Original frame. Good luck!

sayeed_rahman (6461) 2009-04-02 10:38

Hello Bill..

at last i find you..gosh you come a long way..thats tremendous...am glad to be back on TE after a long long time..i have missed some very good work of yours..and also see a 700..congrats on the new machine..love this shot alot..espectially beacuse of the triangular formation..just wish he was not facing you..but good composition nevertheless..i should be around for sometime..

Cheers..bback

Sayeed

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-04-06 4:57

Ola Bill,
Que linda cena de vida diária destes monges, os seus vestidos vermelhos fazem um belo contraste com a paisagem , boa profundidade de foto , boas cores, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

pierrefonds (115677) 2009-04-10 4:37

Hi Bill,

You have captured well the serious expression of the monks at work. The point of view takes our eyes toward the trees in the background which is giving depth to the photo. The trees are framing well the road. The good luminosity is enhancing the colors of the picture. Have a nice day.

Pierre

mafegan (8626) 2009-04-14 8:25

Hello Bill
Men at work and monks at work - an interesting observation. A good composition with the best notes. Tfs, Marlene

Waylim (25436) 2009-04-15 20:40

Bill,
Excellent shot, I love it, so much nolstagic for me here. the way of life so long ago. Yet still so vivid, I sometimes think I try to push is deep in my heart and soul, so I can move on here with the daily life that I current to me. Yet it crept up sometimes. Being here on TE is also a constant reminder of just how lucky most of us are.
Beautiful shot. Simply beuatiful taken with sensitivity.
Way