Don Chen
March 2025 - Monk Walking By Ancient Temple
About the Image(s)
Last month, I toured an ancient historic site in Thailand. From a distance, I saw a monk wearing a bright orange robe walking quietly along the side wall. I quickly moved to a spot on his path where I could compose a shot with the temple structure in the background. I set my camera to high-speed capture and took a series of action images as he passed by.
In post-processing, I was able to enhance the color of his robe to make it stand out. I also brightened his face. The long shadow behind him is a bit distracting, which is due to the high sun near noon. Upon closer inspection, I think I could have lowered the ambient light slightly. What do you think?
Tech spec: Sony A7C with 20-70mm G lens, 1/1250, f/11
This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted
Very nice picture D. I understand the intent of creating the relationship between the subject and background yet, in my view closing in, cropping at the price of cutting the monastery in the back is still better than the distractions around. Posted: 03/09/2025 08:40:22
Don, what I appreciate most about your images is how you expose and post process to get the broadest range of tones. This image exemplifies my point. The image is sharp and tells a good story.
I agree with Adi that a different crop would yield some improvement...but I disagree with where the crop should be. If I understand his suggestion, he would have you crop out the "monastery" (which, I assume, he means the structure at the far left of the frame). I think this is an important part of the story and is, indeed, in your title for the image. I would have you consider cropping in from the right to eliminate the tree entirely. By placing the monk on the third, it keeps the viewer's eye on the subject rather than allowing the eye to follow the wall out of the frame on the left. All things considered, nicely done. Posted: 03/11/2025 10:45:30
I agree with Adi that a different crop would yield some improvement...but I disagree with where the crop should be. If I understand his suggestion, he would have you crop out the "monastery" (which, I assume, he means the structure at the far left of the frame). I think this is an important part of the story and is, indeed, in your title for the image. I would have you consider cropping in from the right to eliminate the tree entirely. By placing the monk on the third, it keeps the viewer's eye on the subject rather than allowing the eye to follow the wall out of the frame on the left. All things considered, nicely done. Posted: 03/11/2025 10:45:30
Elsie Allen
Hi Don,
The image is engaging. It is difficult to edit because there is much substance in the monastery itself and the scaffolding in the background is intrusive.
I am not sure my attached edit is helpful. But, I thought I'd give it a try. Posted: 03/16/2025 22:44:53
The image is engaging. It is difficult to edit because there is much substance in the monastery itself and the scaffolding in the background is intrusive.
I am not sure my attached edit is helpful. But, I thought I'd give it a try. Posted: 03/16/2025 22:44:53
Elsie, I think your edit allows the eye to focus more on the monk, as the subject. I would, however, keep the entire temple at the left of the frame, as per my initial comment above. Cutting it off as you did removes context (as per Don's title) and the "half temple" creates, IMO, a distraction at the edge of the frame. …but you had the right idea. Posted: 03/17/2025 09:23:43
(Group 32)
I thoroughly like your original image. I find the monk to be the right size in the grand composition of this ancient site. You have everything sharp and with strong contrast.
About the lighting. You said it was near noon, but it is clearly more like 5 or 6 pm, since the monk's shadow is as tall as he is. A noon shadow would have been a blob under his feet. But you were lucky, because both he and the ruin have very good light. The color original must have had a very warm glow. Posted: 03/25/2025 03:51:13
About the lighting. You said it was near noon, but it is clearly more like 5 or 6 pm, since the monk's shadow is as tall as he is. A noon shadow would have been a blob under his feet. But you were lucky, because both he and the ruin have very good light. The color original must have had a very warm glow. Posted: 03/25/2025 03:51:13