The Journey Within, a photo from Chiang Mai, North

Photographer's Note

A must see, on any visit to Chiang Mai, is the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep - a Theravada Buddhist temple located near the top of Doi Suthep (Mount Suthep). Looming over the city like guardian spirits and providing a sanctuary of forest and mountain cool air, Chiang Mai's sacred peaks, Doi Suthep (1676m) and Doi Pui (1685m) were used by the city's founders as a divine compass in locating an auspicious position. Suthep was named after the hermit Sudeva, who lived on the mountain's slopes for many years.

Built in 1383, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is still a working monastery today. From the car park, one has to walk up the 300 steps of the intricately carved mythical Naga Serpent Staircase to reach the complex

On reaching the top, one is at awe with the sight of the golden chedi or spire which decorates the centre of the mountain top temple. The walls around the spire form a mini enclave and are richly decorated with historical murals and shrines and some fine statues of Buddha, Each Each shrine is filled with more statues of Buddhas than the last. We just sat in awe at the diversity and sheer volume of Buddha statues, unlike anything we’d ever seen. Locals and visitors from around the world visit the temple with elaborate gift baskets as offerings to the monks. Unexpected items, such as toothpaste, vitamins and colored pencils fill the baskets as well as the expected fresh fruit, sweets and cash.

Here is a fine golden statue of Buddha setting out for a journey of learning, the 'journey within', with the backdrop of the famous golden chedi

kabel, rigoletto, Romano46, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, jjcordier, danos, papagolf21, abmdsudi, josepmarin, pajaran, ChrisJ, delpeoples, delpeoples ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

yquem46 (38752) 2013-11-25 2:31

Bonjour Angshu
A golden shot in all respects !
Flawless execution
Bravo, have a nice day
Best regards
patrick

SnapRJW (31631) 2013-11-25 3:50

Hello Angshue - I love the north of Thailand and Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is a favourite out-of-town drive. I love the way you have composed this shot with the distinctive Lanna roof details and tiny bells included in the frame with the Buddha and golden stupa. So rich in colour and detail. You tempt me to go back again soon. TFS this and reigniting those special memories. Warm regards Rosemary

Sergiom (117241) 2013-11-25 4:56

Bonjour Angshuman,

J'aime beaucoup ce cadrage vertical qui avantage beaucoup ce point de vue sur le temple en or. La contre plongée donne beaucoup d'ampleur et utilise bien ce ciel parfait comme arrière plan.

Amicalement

Serge

Subhogen (4067) 2013-11-25 5:04

Hello Angshuman,
This shot is worth gold. The Buddha statue looks so lively, seems like he will just step out of your photo and begin one of his sermons. Beautiful colors, contrast and sharpness. Nice descriptive note to go with it.
Regards,
Subho

kabel (1930) 2013-11-25 8:07

Hello, you have presented a very classic image from a low angle for the Buddhist Temple. The colors are beautiful and full of warmth. Perfect exposure and composition.
TFS,
Karen

rigoletto (34279) 2013-11-25 9:21

hi angshu. this one is stunning: your vertical cadrage and presentation of so many architectural details in a small rectangle amazed me. the golden colors are already attractive, but grey sky coming with your circular polarizer increases the dramatic effect. very beautiful and curious place.

Romano46 (18472) 2013-11-25 11:33

Cioa Angshuman
bella foto nella quale l'oro domina incontrastato in una bella compèosizione originale per il particolare punto di ripresa.
Ottimo il colore ed eccellenti nitidezza e contrasto che permettono di ammirare appieno la magnificenza di questo tempio religioso.
Complimenti
Ciao e buona serata
Romano

Highmountains (2674) 2013-11-25 11:39

This is a beauty, Angshu. I am sure you had to manage the glare and glow of the shining Golden statues and temples.
I have a couple of posts of the temple and I found it difficult to manage proper colours.
Your positioning here seems perfect, with the Buddha, the edge of the temple roof and the golden stupa in the background.
Good one, and thanks for sharing.

PaulVDV (62810) 2013-11-25 13:32

Hello Angshu,
Wow! Not only the Buddha statue and the spire are of gold, also the decorations of the eaves look golden.
Beautiful view upwards and excellent composition.
Perfect sharpness.
Best regards, Paul

lousat (138695) 2013-11-25 14:55

What a perspective! Your way to take a pic of this temple is really fantastic! A magnificent choice of point of view,great details everywhere and a lot of gold everywhere,exposed in the best way,very very well done,it's always a pleasure to watch your pics! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

pierrefonds (113700) 2013-11-25 19:04

Hi Angshuman,

The temple is framing well the statue. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the statue. The good luminosity is making the colors to shine. Have a nice day.

Pierre

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-11-25 19:06

as always with your pics,this 1 too is a treat to the eyes.lovely pov and beautiful golden colors makes this pic so attractive.very nicely done.
regards
dwaipayan

jjcordier (79299) 2013-11-25 23:09

Angshu
Une superbe photo de ce magnifique temple, complétée par une note très instructive. Excellent cadrage vertical, belle lumière et superbes couleurs.
Amicalement
JJ

dkmurphys (79209) 2013-11-26 0:04

Hello,
Very beautiful composition, a true spectacular golden place. It looks great, well taken.
Have a fine day.

Daniel

jhm (211734) 2013-11-26 2:39

Hello Angshu,

Thank you very much for your interesting notes.
Thailand has a lot fantastic old buildings and very great history.
I like the decorative construction, also the tower of the temple is pleasant to look at.
Excellent captured and lovely presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards

mayjayne (7204) 2013-11-26 3:16

Dear Angshu,

I like very much your selected POV. The shot is composed of many subjects from a uncommon angle, which makes it more appealing than the normal temple shots.

TFS,
May

danos (110407) 2013-11-26 23:13

Hi Angshu,
nice the view of the golden statue of Buddha in front of the golden Chedi.I wonder if all these are covered from solid gold or covered their exterior sides from gold.Excellent presentetion as we can see all of their details.

Regards,Danos

papagolf21 (152605) 2013-11-26 23:40

Bonjour, cher ami Angshu,
Encore une proposition photographique de qualité. L'or domine joliment l'ensemble. La mise en image est parfaite pour donner à l'ensemble sa joliesse.
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Nicou (193806) 2013-11-27 5:58

Hlelo

quelle compo et vue de ce temple sueprbe tout en dorure mervielleux quelle architecture et compo avec la statue le toit et cette coupole grandisoe compo.
bravo et amitié
Nciou

mkamionka (73532) 2013-11-27 8:27

Hi Angshu,
very well composed with focus on the golden elements. It feels as if everything there was made of gold. The sky indicates rather bad weather but one cannot have always perfect conditions. Nice overall geometry,
very well done,
M

abmdsudi (95869) 2013-11-28 7:43

Namaste Angshu
Very interesting and informative narration. I just enjoyed looking at and mesmerised by this shot. Exotic it seems viewed from low angle depicting the elaborate architectural design of the temple and the dominant golden colour is eye popping strikingly, combining just brilliant to grey sky. Love this imagery which makes you feel like you are actually there...
Congrats
Best regards

emka (157280) 2013-11-28 23:13

Hi Angshu, Indeed, Doi Suthep is a must, o I was there too. The Thai architecture is incredible and your presentation is excellent . Gorgeous golden details. You could show it in bigger format. Fantastic shot.
Warm regards Malgo

Fis2 (169877) 2013-11-29 2:30

Witaj Angshu!
Interesting architecture and statue.
Good vertical frame and composition.
Curious details.
I like colors and light.
Well done.
Nice afternoon
Krzysztof

josepmarin (59385) 2013-11-29 11:02

Namaste, my friend Angshuman,
an efficient low-angle shot, and a good vertical framing, which give the real graphical value of the golden architecture of the monastery, the golden statue of Buddha, and the sky, creating a wonderful composition.
The ensemble is very elegant, and you have managed skilfully the light and the colours, reaching a great quality of image.
It's a beautiful work.
Best wishes,
Josep

pajaran (115047) 2013-11-29 12:38

Pozdrav.
Interesantan i dobar tekst, o mestu i arhitekturi ...
Dobra kompozicija, lepo pokazana zlatna skulptura Bude i hram u pozadini.
Dobar trenutak snimka i kontrast, lepe boje.
Lepa skulptura i deo hrama.
Sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

Greetings.
An interesting and good text, place and architecture ...
Good composition, well demonstrated golden statue of Buddha and a temple in the background.
Good time recording and contrast, beautiful colors.
Beautiful sculpture and part of the temple.
All the best for the weekend, good luck.
Paja.

ChrisJ (171366) 2013-11-29 14:04

Bonjour Angshuman

I recognised Doi Suthep from the thumbnail alone. I've been there twice and it's an impressive Wat for sure. Good upward pov with excellent colour, sharpness and saturation. It looks fantastic against a blue sky, and the standing Buddha adds context. Tfs!

Graal (103040) 2013-11-29 23:22

Hello Angshuman,
nice composition and image with gold colors dominate. I like the statue of Buddha. Well note, good presentation.
Have a nice WE.
Aleksander

everlasting (19680) 2013-11-30 4:15

An informative note, but moreover, well chosen pov, the gold against the blue sky always works.
Good sharpness and saturation, the gold is not over done

delpeoples (60342) 2013-12-01 5:18

Namaskar dear Angshu

An sensational photo, beautifully and artistically composed, with intense definition and colour. On top of that, your subject matter is enchanting and so fascinating. I also like the effect of the light and shade, particularly on the statue. Wonderful shot, congratulations.

Warmest wishes
Lisa

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2013-12-03 0:39

Dear dada,
what a gorgeous frame it is! Love the golden colour tone and the beautiful architectures in the frame. Superbly composed in vertical. Excellent depth and sharpness. No doubt a superb shot. Tfs.
After some busy working days I am back here again. For the photographic journey... For you and with you...
Bhalo theko...
Subhendu

Waylim (25436) 2013-12-04 9:03

Hi Angshu,

This is just golden! Love how the whole stupa and statue are all in gold, yet there is so much definition and depth with the light and contrast, it is kind of like black and white, but in different shades of gold and white. Really fantastic quality and love that mutted sky.

Sorry, been busy lately and not very motivated to be active here.

Way

npecanhuk (79329) 2013-12-11 18:30

Hello Angshuman!
Very beautiful details!
Very attractive picture!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, vertical format, black & white borders, chosen pov and composition really pleased me here too!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

sevy (58) 2014-01-13 4:23

Hello Angshu,

I missed this one. Those golden temples seem very interesting to visit and to photograph. Here with gold over gold you got an interesting composition.

Yves.

tatadalou (7459) 2014-01-18 10:39

Hi Angshuman,
Great POV on this nice temple, as usual with your pictures. Light and sharpness are wonderfully managed. Excellent job !
Delphine

Photo Information

Copyright: Angshuman Chatterjee (Angshu) (56760)
Genre: Luoghi
Medium: Colore
Date Taken: 2012-03-20
Categories: Architettura
Camera: Canon 400D (Digital Rebel XTi), Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO, RAW, Marumi 72mm PL-CIR
Esposizione: f/13.0, 1/30 secondi
More Photo Info: view
Versione Foto: Versione Originale
Diario di viaggio: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai & Bangkok
Date Submitted: 2013-11-25 2:09