In the space for the washing ritual, a photo from Brunei and Muara, West

Photographer's Note

‘Bandar Seri Begawan - In the space for the washing ritual’

Before praying Muslims are expected to wash themselves in a certain order – first hands, then mouth, nose, face, hair and ears, and finally their ankles and feet.
This is putting oneself into the right mindset for prayer.
The Prophet Muhammad said 'cleanliness is half of faith'.
Muslims must be clean and wear good clothes before they present themselves before God.

In many mosques, a fountain or taps are therefore provided so that every Muslim can follow the washing ritual. These can be located both indoors and outdoors.

These three photos were taken in the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in the room where the washing ritual could take place. There were no visiting believers present. Just a guardian of the space.

You may prefer one of the photos in the WS.
Since - in hindsight - I have relatively few pictures with Bruneians on, I chose this one with the washroom guard on as the main photo.

pierrefonds, holmertz, jhm, Fis2, pajaran, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, clic, jean113, ikeharel, adramad, worldcitizen, mcmtanyel, macjake ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (220577) 2021-08-06 9:43

Ciao Paul, great perspective on fantastic architecture, beautiful alternnating light and shadows, excellent clarity, fine details and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (113572) 2021-08-06 9:45

Bonsoir,

J'apprécie le jeu entre les zones éclairées et les zones ombragées. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails de ces colonnes torsadées. La lumière donne un bon rendu aux couleurs de l'image. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

holmertz (101980) 2021-08-06 9:51

Hello Paul,
Today's three photos are all very well composed and interesting, but I can't say I prefer any of those in the WS. The man seen hare makes this easily qualify as the main one, but it's not just because of him but also the fine depth created by the spiral shaped columns, the nice light and shadows. WS #1 has the same qualities, minus man, and in #2 you made very sure to place yourself in the right spot for the best view of columns and gilded domes.
This was the first photo posted here for nearly 3,5 hours. :-(
Best regards,
Gert

jhm (211734) 2021-08-06 9:59

Goedenavond Paul,

De vele getorste kolommen maken echt indruk.
Niet alledaags om te zien.
Ook speelt u mooi met schaduwen, in de gang of de wasplaats.
Heel mooi van licht, en goede creatie van diepte.
Prachtige interieur foto.
Goed foto werk, bedankt.

Hopelijk een goed weekend,
John

Fis2 (169709) 2021-08-06 10:49

Witaj Paul!
A very interesting set of photos.
I like this place.
Good frames, colors and sharpness.
TFS.
Very well done.
Have a nice weekend.
Krzysztof

pajaran (114891) 2021-08-06 12:01

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Lep enterijer dzamije, dobro pokazan sa lepim bojama kontrastom, perspektivom i uhvacenim trenutkom molitve.
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionci.
Lep prostor za ritual.

Zelim vam sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja

lousat (138599) 2021-08-06 12:18

Hi Paul,it was not easy to choose the best photo, but in fact I agree with the perspective of the main photo also because it reminds a little of my last post. I am very familiar with the Muslim rules but your notes were still useful. The mosque is truly beautiful! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

COSTANTINO (115515) 2021-08-06 14:58

Hello dear friend
your useful notes...and particularly
the first thought explains in details
what Muslims before praying are
expected to wash...
great respect to their religion
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (146274) 2021-08-06 23:14

Salut Paul,
Bravo c'est superbe ! Quel bel effet de perspective avec cet homme idéalement placé, splendide effet avec ces contrastes avec ces colonnes torsadées, intéressante vue, merci du partage.

ChrisJ (171220) 2021-08-06 23:21

Hallo Paul

Good use of diminishing linear perspective and vanishing point. Excellent repetition of the spiral columns with nice shadow play. The cleaner animates the scene. Tfs!

ifege (46923) 2021-08-07 0:09

Hi Paul
It is only in the second WS that you realise exactly what all this is. A good series of photos.
cheers
Ian

Royaldevon (85606) 2021-08-07 5:42

Hello Paul,

What a fine set of photographs!
You are right, I do very slightly prefer the wider photograph of this area but that is not because it is a better photograph, it's just that it gives more details of the area and the setting.
All three are exceptionally well exposed, all show fine composition and the colours ... amazing.
I love photographs, like this, which give so clear details and are artistic, too.

My star is for the w/s.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

clic (76) 2021-08-07 8:15

Bonjour Paul
Cette prise de qualité professionnelle est à l'image des mesures de propreté décrites dans la note au bas!
Un savant aménagement photo pour enchantement manifeste!
Amitiés

jean113 (27637) 2021-08-07 9:45

Hello Paul, all three shots are excellent but you made the right choice for your main.
The spiral shaped columns immediately catch the eyes and draw us deep into the picture where we see the man in his white robe.
I like the shadows falling on the floor of the corridor interspersed with the sunlight.
Kind regards, Jean.

GyurMaster (24668) 2021-08-07 10:31

Hello Paul,

It's a well-spotted scene with beautiful lights. The POV is well-chosen, but it is the man, who is the cherry on the cake.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

Tue (91564) 2021-08-08 13:59

Hallo Paul,
Een heel mooie foto van deze smalle gang met aan beide zijde een lange rij gedraaide pilaren. Het licht aan de linkerkant maakt een prachtig patroon ook.
Lars

ikeharel (112419) 2021-08-08 20:42

Good morning Paul,
Nice the effect with the white column that has a special design, light and shadows played upon.
Presence of the man was a good bonus to the architecture picture.
Have a nice new week,
Ike

adramad (72558) 2021-08-11 10:44

Hi Paul.
Three magnificent photos of this fantastic mosque, as the main photo I would have chosen the double colonnade of the WS which has a greater perspective, although this has the added factor of the presence of this watchman, the play of light and shadow in these columns is wonderful shaped like a rope.
Sharpness, lighting, color, and the magnificent composition; they are all perfectly realized factors, in this precious images.
Well done. I like very much.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

P / D: The last photo you mentioned to me, the building on Calle Alcala, is at the height of the Goya area, about one km. above the door of Alcala.

worldcitizen (15956) 2021-08-12 12:43

Hello Paul,
I do like the more complete view with the water in the WS, but this main photo is also a very good one. I like the tight framing, with the white columns on both sides, and the shadows on the ground. The guardian in front of the doors makes a nice focal point. The doors are nice, too. :-) I hope all is well with you. Take care!

kasianowak (17672) 2021-08-15 11:43

Hi Paul
I would have also chosen this image as the main upload, the human presence adds life and the cultural context you are talking about in the note. I like the man in place in the frame in such a way that the perspective lines lead towards him and his also caught by the dappled light. I also like the fact that you captured him engaged in his daily activities rather than posing.
Best wishes
Kasia

mcmtanyel (67635) 2021-08-15 20:09

Hello Paul,
I love the repetition, sense of depth and the play between shadow and light. I see that the ceiling is arched, so I'll include it in my Best of Arches collection.
Regards,
MT

emka (157280) 2021-08-16 1:23

Hello Paul I prefer Workshop 1# when there is a deeper perspective of these spiral columns. As a mosques goer, I have seen various washing places. Now I recall that they were all for the men only. The women can enter the mosques but in the back. Do the women pray?
In Iran, we stopped at the mosques to use the public toilets. I used this piece of advice also in Saudi Arabia.
Regards MAlgo

macjake (98262) 2021-08-16 12:02

Hi Paul
its great to always capture those postcard beautiful shots, but its even more rewarding to have these in your personal gallery. very good WS's as well. attractive collection of geometry and curves, and of course the human element. what's not to like.
cheers
Craig

mkamionka (73344) 2021-08-19 5:55

Hi Paul,
great series of photos presenting the washing area.
The main photo is a creative one, while the workshops, being not less creative, show more context of the place. I like them all but of course I somehow prefer the one with the golden dome.
I wonder whether they would allow a non-believer to take a shower there?
If you travel on a budget, some hostels may not have washrooms...
Very well seen and captured,
M