The faithful under protection, a photo from Tay Ninh, South East

Photographer's Note

It is a scene from the main ceremony at Cao Dai Great Teple near Tay Ninh in the southern part of Vietnam. I've already posted some pictures from that place, this is another view at this special ceremony. The place is incredibly photogenic, you should really see it if you are visiting Vietnam, it is around 100km from Saigon, you can get there easily - there are plenty of tours from Saigon, the whole one-day tour to this temple and Cu Chi Tunnels costs only 4usd!

oh, we had some problems on our way there so arrived the temple a bit before 12:30 and we were suppose to meet in the bus at 1pm... just half an hour to see the temple and the ceremony!!! I was really disapointed...
so iwas running around the temple and then taking pictures almost all the time inside... and then i didnt even notice that 1pm already passed.... I simply couldn't leave this temple! i was badly late, I run to the bus!
Luckily they waited for me... ;)

no cropping, minor PS adjustments.

Darren, nwoehnl, CVTJan, eelliott305, carper, smael, avigur_11, eleparc, manny, Riz, scalerman, joso, bgladman, RGatward, olopez, yasoda-nandana, anew, smash2707, siolaw, MLINES, emka ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

Darren (6823) 2004-03-16 9:09

This is great Maciek and one of my very favorite of yours. The 1/3-2/3s divisions between the sculpture and the worshippers looks so great and the repetition in the figures of the people remind me of adds I have seen from the last Matrix movie(which I have not seen). You owe them big time for lining up in such perfect rows. This one is really good Maciek, one of the best I have seen in a while.

[3]

clodreno (0) 2004-03-16 9:13

I remember one of those shots.. Great, amazing composition. I am coming back home, and that's what I find.. Thanx Maciek..Th contrast of colors is very well caught here. Beautiful image.

[2]

gringofil (0) 2004-03-16 9:23

Excellent, excellent image. The perspective and repetition is quite striking. I really like the dragon on the right of the frame, adds mystery to the shot and seems to be towering above the people. Good work!

[4]

ChrisJ (171822) 2004-03-16 9:25

Excellent framing, symmetry & composition. I also like the contrast between the b&w on the left, & the colour on the right. The colour mosaic tile floor stitches the 2 parts together, imho. The VN men are all in perfect alignment. This is often very difficult to capture in a photograph.

[3]

Luko (14000) 2004-03-16 9:28

GODDAMMIT Maciek what have you done there? You've reached new heights in photo, I think Cao Dai sect got you, my friend, too much inspiration is suspect... It's even better than your previous TN shots which were already excellent.

What I like is that you combined a classical informative shot (the monks) and sinuous bold compo (the dragon pillars, such as I didn't succeed in myself).

I have one question : why didn't you post this one before?

(For me one of the best shots ever in TE along with Bobtrips' hennae hands.)
Straight into my favs.

[5] +

nwoehnl (122) 2004-03-16 9:43

You did it again, Maciek. A very striking shot with a supreme graphism - the worshippers sitting in perfect symmetry, the dragon statue adding color and mystery, and the tiled floor contributing yet another striking pattern. Wonderful. I can only subscribe to the rave reviews this one has gotten so far, and there are going to be many more of them after mine, very well-deservedly so.

[3]

ianmcall (1213) 2004-03-16 9:52

Very striking! A perfect balance here between the large area of repeating white and black, and the smaller but busier colourful splash on the right.

Terrific shot.

[3]

CVTJan (1244) 2004-03-16 11:10

Dear Maciej, another pro photo from you ! The composition is perfect, with this b&w pattern of the faithful on one side and colourful "dragon" on the other side. Did I mention your great title yet ? Thanks for running around like crazy and taking this shot :) Yours, Jan

eelliott305 (776) 2004-03-16 12:12

The shots from this temple really must be among the best of your work. This one is terrific. Composition is just great. A fav for me too.

smael (2878) 2004-03-16 13:39

Darren says my point of view perfectely, and tha composition is SO brilliant!!!
And maciej.... what if only one of them had turned around? :)

Terje

PechePassion (483) 2004-03-16 13:52

ce qui est vraiment TRES fort dans cette image ces l'ensemble de constraste couleur et forme , whaou !

avigur_11 (22553) 2004-03-16 14:12

This is a great shot, Maciek, really a brilliant one and one of my best favorites. I like everything here - the pattern, the colors, the way you divided the frame to two parts and the amazing dragon. I like the view from the back, it is very dramatic Showing there faces would create a different atmosphere, this way is better, IMO.
Excellent, as usual..Maciek.

[2]

Ebbe (9625) 2004-03-16 15:21

What a great repetition Maciej. And the contrast between the strict B&W clothes and the colorful dragon.

joannar (308) 2004-03-16 17:00

I think everything has been said about your shot: great composition, pattern, interesting colour contrast between the men in white in black and the gaudy colours of the dragon... So let me just repeat what others have already said: it's really an outstanding shot!

eleparc (24063) 2004-03-16 18:51

amazing photo maciek! It reminds me of one of my favorites from the same subject you published some time ago.. I just love it! excellent composition from above and this dragon splitting the image in almost two parts ready to eat and swallow these monks... very soft light.

[2]

lukasfoto (3078) 2004-03-17 3:33

nie bede sie rozpisywal... super kompozycja!

jhonny_blue (4956) 2004-03-17 4:50

Wonderful piture Maciej !
This is so great composition, with all this people and this colour dragon ! Perfect !
Congratulations

manny (22032) 2004-03-17 10:50

You've chosen a very good spot to take this photo and most of all, you've composed this in an almost perfect composition. This is very good. I can just imagine what sort of shots you're gonna bring back from Cambodia. Your shots are getting better and better.

lost (694) 2004-03-17 10:53

Boa foto..uma boa prespectiva das pessoas..Gosto do dragão dá outro impacto à foto, parabéns

scalerman (26900) 2004-03-17 17:18

I can't recall a better picture from you. This has all the earmarks of a professional photo. Great notes also. Maybe next time when going to an out of they way place, hire your own transportation for more time...

cool_s15 (4050) 2004-03-18 3:21

Very beautiful shot! I like the lines of those people and also the colors of the statue. Great contrast and framing. Very nice captured.

joso (2417) 2004-03-19 17:40

The pattern formed by the black heads on the "background" of the white backs, the opposition between the white/black straight lines and the colourfull dragon.
EXCELLENT, Maciek!

lemon_logix (1054) 2004-03-23 5:53

well balanced and composed. They allow photo taking in such places?

dominique (11414) 2004-03-25 10:27

A very beautiful framing and an interesting image, I like the position of the men and the statue all very close color. Good idea and good composition.

RGatward (20108) 2004-03-30 8:29

I missed this the first time I looked through your set, can't image how, brilliant, think I'll make it a favourite.

Jaku (6812) 2004-05-10 10:23

Zdjęcie robi wrażenie - białe postacie w równym szeregu kontrastują z chaotycznością i kolorami smoka.

keribar (43841) 2005-03-11 0:10

Another great composition.. I really like your work very very much.. Goes to my favorites.

Izzet Keribar

anew (582) 2006-01-20 12:53

Hi Maciej,
I have a lot to learn about photography from you. This is an amazing photo. There's rythm among the people sitting in rows and then the contrast with the figure in the side.
And there is contrast of colors too.
Wow!!!
This is a perfect picture.

smash2707 (3320) 2006-03-03 11:05

I just found your picture by chance, when I was strolling through the favorites gallery of a colleague and I am delighted that I did. Your composition is just perfect. I like the order of the people, dressed all the same way. I like the contrast of their color (white and black) with the colorful column. I like teh sharpness of the picture. I love it. I will include it among my favorites. Regards, Yvonne

BrianGraney (1740) 2006-03-04 12:33

Fantastic photo - the moment is captured. The image works on so many levels, and even more credit to you that no cropping was needed - the mark of a confident eye.
best wishes
Brian

jjcordier (79299) 2006-03-23 5:08

Great, maciek! A fantastic photo!
Congratulations
JJ

ndb1958 (9289) 2006-08-19 2:00

What a strong composition. Amazing. A great perspective with a stunning result in every sensse. The repetition of these prayers in their white robes and the black hats is fantastic. The colourful statue on the right is such a great addition. Wonderful!

rbcy1974 (20758) 2007-02-01 9:47

Hello Maciej
Its an amazing view, I like the way you managed to get a clear view of both the column closer to you and the faithful below. Excellent pov and idea.
Regards
Daniel

Tango7174 (0) 2007-05-19 8:14

I've seen many pictures of the Cao Dai Temple ceremonies, but this one is really a masterpiece in combination with your title.
Congratulations Maciej!

Thành.

Javid (1262) 2007-06-14 12:28

this one is so strong
thanks for your looks.
Javid

MLINES (12516) 2007-10-13 20:35

Hi Maciek. Ideal balance in this composition. Clarity and colours are fine, but the cropping is what appeals. TFS. Murray.

Photo Information

Copyright: Maciej Dakowicz (maciekda) (19895)
Genre: Luoghi
Medium: Colore
Date Taken: 2003-12-26
Categories: Cerimonia
Camera: Canon G3
Esposizione: f/5.0, 1/6 secondi
Details: Tripod: Yes
Versione Foto: Versione Originale
Tema(i): maciekda - TrekEarth Portfolio, Cao Dai Great Temple in Tay Ninh, Traditional life [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-03-16 9:05
Preferiti: 18 [vista]