SGTrekker's 7D6N Sri Lanka Vesak Day Photography Tour (13th - 19th May 2011)

[SgTrekker]

Man, you think that it once bitten twice shine .. the Scotsman does not learn .. hahaha
But David has the Hyperdrive and should be able to help recover what ??

Hey LowLights, welcome back, we were all wondering what happened to you siah...! must be one big project! haha

 

[SgTrekker]

Adrian, the quality of these shots is remarkable. Beautiful arrangement of the orange robed monks. Lovely camera and outstanding lens, not to mention the photographer!

Thank you WHow, the monk shot had to PP abit as i was on Manual and couldn't react in time, but managed to get them just going up the stairs, luckily was on the D700, the EOS450d sure cannot make it one...

 

[SgTrekker]

ClemC, beautifully done, this is a real keeper! I believe you have one of the best shots of the elderly monk. Even now, his look still lingers abit on my mind, pretty haunting as you put it. I dunno how to put it but the way you cropped the subject really brings out the shot. Rules dictate that we shouldn't crop the subject at the joints (i think you cropped it at the hands), but as it was hidden within the robes and overall, brought more impact to the photo.... really one of my favourites! Remember I tried to emulate your shot but just couldn't make it

 

[SgTrekker]

Going for the mood


Buddhist Procession at Ruwanweliseya by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Lady at Ruwanweliseya Dagaba by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Sunset at Ruwanweliseya Dagaba by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

 

[nleong]

not sure if I am slow or you all are fast

I have not even reach the fish auction...

 

[ClemC]

Going for the mood

I like ... my procession shots at the same angle didn't turn out well.. I used tooo small an aperture..

ClemC, beautifully done, this is a real keeper! I believe you have one of the best shots of the elderly monk. Even now, his look still lingers abit on my mind, pretty haunting as you put it. I dunno how to put it but the way you cropped the subject really brings out the shot. Rules dictate that we shouldn't crop the subject at the joints (i think you cropped it at the hands), but as it was hidden within the robes and overall, brought more impact to the photo.... really one of my favourites! Remember I tried to emulate your shot but just couldn't make it

Adrian - have not see all images of this elderly monk.. other approaches will generate different look & feel as well.. guess we will have to wait and see if there are more coming..

Yes Adrian.. "haunting" image.. but do read David POV as well ...

Just elaborating on my crop - I went for this long view (with maxi body & very little head space) because I wanted to emphasis how skinny he was... I didn't noticed I cut at his hands until Adrian highlighted.. hehehheee.. sorry, sorry.. I was concentrating on including his bloated tummy (guess it is due to malnutrition) into the picture, and that is the reason why I cropped it there...

I did a fair bit of PP as well.. turn to B/W (hopefully for the impact) and also brighten up the background.. didn't want to see the line dividing the left+right wall.. I do like this shot but it WILL NOT be my wallpaper... hehehheeee...

[Doc... Can explain why malnutrition ends up with bloated tummy?]

 

[ClemC]

not sure if I am slow or you all are fast
I have not even reach the fish auction...

NLeong - we are still at the same pace.. All still on DAY02... Just different parts of the Day. Remembered you did a few flash-fill shots at the Fish Auction place.. any Keepers?

 

[divinemoment]

not sure if I am slow or you all are fast

I have not even reach the fish auction...

At least we can breath much easier now in the absence of the travelogue man! Ha ha ha

 

[limwhow]

]

Haha... This cat. Simply bo-chap! Wahahaha...!
Ah Ling yah... nice catch.

Thank you WHow, the monk shot had to PP abit as i was on Manual and couldn't react in time, but managed to get them just going up the stairs, luckily was on the D700, the EOS450d sure cannot make it one...

Hahaha... B*sk*t...! Never kena kok kok on your head by me ah...! Wahahaha...!

Ah Clem ah, Clem... :thumbsup: the emaciated, cachectic look.. very much like Gautama Buddha when he was wasting himself away during his phase as an ascetic.

Going for the mood

Sunset at Ruwanweliseya Dagaba by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Really moody, Adrian! Really moody!

At least we can breath much easier now in the absence of the travelogue man! Ha ha ha

Heng ah... 'song' sai yah!
Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief.
Relax, brothers and sister... Relax... Wahahahaha...!

 

[divinemoment]

Still at Negombo beach or Brown beach (ClemC - care to comment as I can't verify in goole map)

Overlooking Indian Ocean, the 3rd largest.

 

[ClemC]

the emaciated, cachectic look.. very much like Gautama Buddha when he was wasting himself away during his phase as an ascetic.

whow - kiam sia ... and double thanks - learn three new words today...

Still at Negombo beach or Brown beach (ClemC - care to comment as I can't verify in goole map)
Overlooking Indian Ocean, the 3rd largest.

Divinemoment - The whole stretch can technically be known as Negombo beach (Beach at Negombo Town).. I think Brown Beach is just the local name give for the stretch of beach close to where our resort is ... as to whether it is Brown, Bond, Bold.. not sure, we just listened to the name from the Tuk-tuk driver.. heheheee.. that is all I can add..

I LIKE YOUR COLOR LE PIC!!!!

we were taking pics of the same lone tree.. about 60degree from each other.. you can see from the pics that the effect is quite different.. .. I have noticed the family members standing still and letting the waves wash up their feets... I should have done some LE shots.. just not imaginative enough.. on highsight.. LE definitely more impactful...

 

[nleong]

wow! Clement! I like that last shot you posted What you call that kind of processing ? LE?

 

[ClemC]

For Info:

MOONSTONE
One of the striking architectural features of ancient Sri Lanka is found under our foot. The Moonstone, a semi-circular stone slab with carvings, has come to depict the skill of ancient stone artists. The Moonstone is called the Sandakadapahana (half-moon stone) or Irahandagala (sun-moon stone) in Sinhala. In ancient times, the sun was venerated as the giver of life, fertility and growth.

Made from granite or limestone, the earliest Moonstones were sans carving and rectangular in shape. After the 13th Century, towards the end of the Anuradhapura period, the shape of the Moonstone changed to a semi circle, and began to be filled with heavy carvings. The carved Moonstones vary in their design but have some shared, common elements. Individual arcs form the semi-circular shape, often culminating with a decorative lotus. The number of arcs and the patterns vary from each temple and period, to make each Moonstone a unique and distinctive work of art.

The noted Sri Lankan historian and archaeologist Prof. Senarath Paranavithana believed that the Moonstones have a deep metaphysical interpretation, with each carved panel representing a spiritual stage in a person's ascent to nirvana.

Starting from the outermost semi-circular panel, he gives each a special meaning, which has become a widely accepted interpretation of the Moonstone:

i. The arc with a flower petal motif (palapethi) represents the fires of a worldly existence.
ii. The arc of four beasts, the elephant, lion, horse and bull represents the four mortal perils of birth, disease, decay and death.
iii. The arc of undulating scrolls of leaves and flowers (liyavela) represents natural desires or craving.
iv. The arc of swans or geese represents the "thoughtful ones who have left their worldly abodes."
v. The arc containing a second liyavela motif represents the heavenly worlds.
vi. The arc of lotus petals turned outwards, the arc of lotus petals turned inwards and seed cup in the centre forming together half a lotus all represent nirvana or enlightenment.

Not all Moonstones follow this decorative arrangement, with some having more panels and others less. Each Moonstone seems to be as unique as its artist with the symbolism, the style of motif and intricacy of carving detail varying in each Moonstone. A few Moonstones have been found to have inscriptions, which archaeologists suspect were added after they were used as steps for many years.

The reign of the Chola empire in the 11th Century, during the Polonnaruwa era, brought the Hindu religion to the country, and the Moonstones created from then onwards did not have the image of the bull. The bull, a sacred animal to the Hindus, could no longer be on Moonstones, which were trod on daily by dozens of devotees. Similarly the lion, symbolising the Sinhala race, was also gradually removed and these two animals came to be carved into the Korawak gal or balustrades of temples and palaces.

I wanted a pic with a person's foot on the moonstone.. waited for quite some time.. got a shot.. (a little blown on the lady clothes).. but the effect doesn't seems as stricking as the early image without feet.. wonder what went wrong?... I just cant understand what is not right?... any advice from experts here?...

 

[nleong]

On the way to Fish Auction. Saw this truck with bananas. Quite a nice color. I think Adrian later ask me, if he should buy one bunch and eat it on the road.. I was like.. hmmm did he consider toilet arrangement ?

 

[nleong]

Then there is this little kid suddenly came along park his bike there.. and not sure what he did.. walk around then ride away.

This fisherman has a defective left eye. Something caught my eyes.

a close look with sunburst

 

[AlexK]

Day 02
Anuradhapura, Ruwanweliseya Stupa - A UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.

There are only a very few times in my life where I have hestitated to bring up my camera to shoot a subject. Especially if it is a moment that I know would be good to capture.

At the base of the Dagaba we meet a monk. He was standing with both his feet on a cloth that is only slightly larger that his feet. His monk's bowl was turned upside down and there was a sign that read:

I Do Not Use Money !!
Please Do Not Donate.
Video & Photographing is Allowed.
Please Do Not Talk With Me.
​

An extremely skinny, abnormally thin, and fragility frail person was right in front of me.. you could see the emptiness in his eyes.. yet you can feel the determination of his mind.. the unmovable belief that he has in his religion.


This image has been "haunting" (in a good way) me for a few days and will likely be there for a few moons times.. I am sure it will remain as one of the hghlight in my Sri Lanka trip...

I'm quite sure it will not stir your emotions as much as it affected me.. I guess being there in person is just different.. and maybe there was a link in previous lives or a message that I was suppose to receive/ or learn

NICE ! :thumbsup:

 

[nleong]

onwards to fish auction. Only 2 photos.

Clement, these are shot using the 'fill flash' the LED lights

This kid was quite shy until i gave him something, can't remenber a pen or mentos. a little 'bribe' helps

 

[ClemC]

wow! Clement! I like that last shot you posted What you call that kind of processing ? LE?

NLeong - which last shot?.. my pic in post #111? - that shot just show the super-long shadows, add GND to cut-down the sun.. no LE.. BUT still have a very large patch of blown sun

Pic in #111 is just to show the comparison with a more effective Divinemoment's LE shot.. I personally like his LE shot, it shows "Motion in a Still Image" and it capture some human as stationary subjects..

 

[nleong]

NLeong - which last shot?.. my pic in post #111? - that shot just show the super-long shadows, add GND to cut-down the sun.. no LE.. BUT still have a very large patch of blown sun

Pic in #111 is just to show the comparison with a more effective Divinemoment's LE shot.. I personally like his LE shot, it shows "Motion in a Still Image" and it capture some human as stationary subjects..

Oh.. wait.. LE = long exposure haha.. But i like that oversaturated shots leh hehe.. tho overdone but the color sort of all transit very well.. dunno how to articulate english no good la

 

[ClemC]

NICE ! :thumbsup:

AlexK - Kiam Sia.... I'm still have a lot to learn about Portrait photography.. hope to pick up some tips from you in the near future...

Clement, these are shot using the 'fill flash' the LED lights

You "fill flash" is small and useful.. wonder if SimiLING can find in CN trip.. hope she will get some ....
I like the expression on his GUY.... nice.. now go and PP away this Divinemoment & Hilda!!.. hehehheeee....