blackout, a photo from Louangphabang, North

Photographer's Note

the blackout came while we were having a drink in a restaurant with darren and lasted only about a half an hour, rather long for the city of luang prabang. (a lot of smaller villages who are fortunate to have electricity at all aren't so lucky) it's part of everyday life here, and these monks in a nearby temple took no time to light their candles. we walked across the street, snapped a few shots and satisfied their curiosity by answering the usual what's your name, where are you from, how old are yous in return.

Luan, shayes, aksamgezmesi, cengiz, z_nenith, Clairedelune has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Luan (12971) 2005-11-14 11:56

Hello Mark,
a beautiful catch, I don't know how you manage to catch a picture sharpe like this. It is really well done. There is a kind of intimate atmopher that i like a lot.
Excellent
Luan

teacozie (1377) 2005-11-14 11:57

Mark, this is a georgeous photo. The candle's provide just enough light to allow an amazing atmosphere. Great composition and sharpness.

Thanks for sharing.

shayes (499) 2005-11-14 11:59

Amazing that your photo turned out so well given the little light. Its beautiful...great composition! Excellent!
Shannon :)

aksamgezmesi (133) 2005-11-14 12:33

While I'm searching for workshop available photo, I saw this. Really perfect shot.
Thank you for sharing.
I'll be add to my favorities.

cengiz (3593) 2005-11-14 13:05

Hello mark
its a really perfect shot very very nice light capture
good job congratulations
allthebest
cengiz

naxius (16685) 2005-11-14 13:25

Splendid mood Mark..
I love the way you have catched the light.
Bravo.
Alex

easybob (0) 2005-11-14 14:43

Very beautiful lights and darkness. Great great shot.

Luko (14000) 2005-11-15 6:38

Hey Mark, how does it feel a few weeks after being for so long on the road? Empty minded or partly satisfied?

Anyway, back to your photo -and believe me I am not getting softy on you-, I take it as one of the best monks photo on this site. I would have loved to take this one for many reasons : at least, the first two reasons, being because of the three characters and also the candlelight (the light trap I would always fall for)... and errh, yes, obviously this is a monk shot : a category that always scores high in my topic choice, along with fishermen and nets.

Consequently I have no other choice than putting it into my favs :) ...

Darren (6823) 2005-11-15 7:03

Hi Mark. I remember these guys: This shot crushes anything I got. My best from that blackout was the kid standing in the doorway of that building where they were doing work inside. Maybe I will post it. Really good exposure here and also a very good use of empty space. Love the two monks on the right, I do kinda wish that there was just a little more room for the monk on the left. Good shot Mark, really nice.

ALSOM (6616) 2005-11-15 7:57

Excellent shot, nice light capture with such slow shutter speed, I'm surprised by the good sharpness though. Lovely lighting from the flame on their faces.
TFS, Al.

Furachan (0) 2005-11-15 9:09

Shot way down in the low, low Ev range, miraculous clarity to this shot. I especialy like the monk on te left whose face is half invisible.
Very fine work,
Francis

eleparc (24063) 2005-11-15 15:44

i like the golden touch on my favorite subjects : monks and novices;-) Well done!
Eric

bnallama (3763) 2005-11-15 17:16

A lovely shot in such a low light... I love the wonderful smile that you have captured in the candle light... Wonderful... Bala

everlasting (20040) 2005-11-16 6:34

Amazing light Mark, the golden glow and the blackness--- real blackness works so well.
Nicely composed even though you did quickly run across the road.

renato (509) 2005-11-16 17:17

hi mark,I like the soft candle light in the darkness, it reminds me "il Caravaggio" (b.1573,d. 1610)whith his dramatic light-and-dark effects
TFS renato

michel_r (1118) 2005-11-17 17:00

definitely a top one mark. all fits here, beautiful triangle, ideal light, perfect exposure and on top, this face of the rightmost monk amazingly looking at the candle, like a surprise, enhances the dreamy, surreal mood. A fav for sure
amicalement, michel.

moxon (78) 2005-11-19 8:40

This is gorgeous. Perfect framing and exposure. It looks like a classical painting, maybe a La Tour.

z_nenith (224) 2005-11-21 10:01

Nice capture and TFS
Tar

Clairedelune (4923) 2006-01-13 21:15

This is a very great shot! Wow! The warm colors, the big pitch black parts, the lights, the expression in the face of those monks, the old wood table, the gesture of the monk handling the candle... Wow! A perfect one... In my favorites! Sure! Well my friend, your have great pictures! A so very nice travel I'm doing looking at your pictures! Thanks a lot!
Claire