Bhutan [manda]

manda · April 13, 2009

Hi all,

I've just completed my last grand tour of Asia before I go home to the UK after ten years over seas.

I was lucky enough to visit Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon.

#1 This is actually wall painting in the Dzong, but I thought it might make a nice cover page to start my thread.

#2 I was incredibly fortunate to be invited in to watch the novice monks rehearsing their religious performances. The monks were actually embarrassed by our presence and I only snapped two shots before we took our leave.

Chrissiebeez_NL · April 13, 2009

MOAR!!! the second shot is great, if you have more shots please share them!

manda · April 13, 2009

Thanks Chris - love the Vietnam shots.

#3
Here's an ethical question for you .... I've merged two photos to combine the monks and nun in the same shot.

Hand my heart - I don't have any ethical qualms in doing this, my photos are just for fun and I don't submit them to competitions. I also think I've kept the integrity of the scene - they were just seconds apart.

Happy to receive c&c or flack for this confession!

Awais Yaqub · April 14, 2009

more more more

Chrissiebeez_NL · April 14, 2009

I dont mind it. If you pasted the eiffeltower in the background maybe..

but this was very possible if you waited long enough. We all edit to optimally transfer what we saw/felt to the viewer. I'm not sure the photo is any stronger by adding the nun though.. i think it would make a strong photo without her but thats just guessing.

Great shot again!

manda · April 14, 2009

#4
Great feedback from every one - thanks for your thoughts.

I was trying to capture the blur on the drum as well as the flared skirt, without success!

Buddhists rotate the prayer wheels as they offer their prayers.

Tee Why · April 15, 2009

Like that second shot.

System · April 15, 2009

The second one is definitely my favourite, too.
Mon

manda · April 15, 2009

Thanks for your comments.

I was hanging around the corridors when I heard some hustle and bustle. Swarms of monks passed by and I hurried to rattle off a couple of shots. The 'change of guards' was around 11am local time, I don't know if this is a regular routine, but it might help if you going to Bhutan yourself.

manda · April 17, 2009

I was hoping for an image like this on the holiday, we had actually gone to see the black craned geese - here are some of the residents instead!

Chrissiebeez_NL · April 17, 2009

you obviously put a lot of effort into your photos (at the spot and in pp) and it really pays of! great looking images! the last is a winner as well.

manda · April 17, 2009

Every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu's scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held.

manda · April 18, 2009

The floor was so cold, even in the sun. Typically I was else where when the lama's came out and had to run to this spot. It was roughly 4pm local time at Gangtey Dzong.

Art Scott · April 19, 2009

A very cool series....well executed in shooting as well as processing..

thumb

bow

...as for the merging of photos being ethical or not.....I say it is.....as was mentioned earlier if it had been the Eiffel...then prob not......it would not matter if you were entering into comps or not....the only place that photo could not be used and that is Journalisticaly ..... where major processsing is prohibited ............

Keep posting.............

manda · April 20, 2009

Thanks for your comments Art!

Chrissiebeez_NL · April 20, 2009

manda wrote:

The floor was so cold, even in the sun. Typically I was else where when the lama's came out and had to run to this spot. It was roughly 4pm local time at Gangtey Dzong.

another great shot, too bad some people go with their (western) time..

It is a nice juxtaposition that the guy in sweatshirt is moving the opposite way from the rest.. mhhmm a thinker..

Chrissiebeez_NL · April 20, 2009

manda wrote:

Every Saturday and Sunday most of Thimphu's scant population and many valley dwellers congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held.

nice mood and frame! the blue tones help set the mood

ccheroke · April 21, 2009

I admire your shots and ...
This shot of children is very interesting and I like it a lot. Good work.

manda · April 21, 2009

Thanks, here is one slightly different. This is in a different Dzong at 11am local time.

Ed911 · April 22, 2009

manda wrote:

I was hoping for an image like this on the holiday, we had actually gone to see the black craned geese - here are some of the residents instead!

This is a wonderful shot. Nice processing. Thanks for Sharing.

NeilL · April 23, 2009

I'm really enjoying your photos here. They are very sensitive and loving works!

In all you convey the long, long stretch of time the culture maintains - there is a feeling of changelessness, inertia, even primitiveness. But at the same time there is that chaotic flame of energy in the life of the people almost tipping the long, long balance, placidity, individual fiery storms in the expanse of tradition and religious practice, which reflect or are reflected by the energetic architectural decoration and design.

I don't think the nun inclusion is successful, and evidently you yourself are not comfortable with the licence it takes with cultural propriety.

You got the spin blur of the prayer wheel in the decorative frame nicely.

My favorite is the mother and kids at the window. Texture and color is very engaging, and the whistfulness of the mood is very affecting.

Why do you not note the gear and other shooting data? Many of us I think at dGrin cannot help but look at photos with a partly technical eye. We are not quite the same animal as those at Flickr!

Neil

nightspidy · April 24, 2009

Gasp, wow!!!!

manda wrote:

I was hoping for an image like this on the holiday, we had actually gone to see the black craned geese - here are some of the residents instead!

I

this pic!!! Wow. The expressions are priceless. The rest of the pics are fantastic too, but I love this one. Great work!

roentarre · April 24, 2009

Simply amazing image there

I like ancient relics very much

:ivar

manda · April 24, 2009

Neil - I'm more than happy to share details of photos or processing - If you drop into my flickr 'photoshoppery' group it lists my fav tutorials or LR2 settings when ppl have asked for details!

I've seen your protrait thread and I have an extensive tutorial on how to process shots a la Lee Varis / Dr Brown / RetouchPRO.

thanks Mandy

Tango · April 25, 2009

lovely work, i enjoyed these very much

manda · April 25, 2009

Thanks for the above comments.

Neil: the threads are getting lost as I don't have a pro account any more.
Here are my two recent ones:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandaherbertcom/3259600976/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandaherbertcom/2911793472/

manda · April 25, 2009

manda · April 28, 2009

a110p0 · April 29, 2009

Wow, this is an amazing thread. You have a great eye and each photo
exhibit great craftsmanship.

Thanks for taking me on this journey.

Alvin

manda · April 30, 2009

Thanks - your canyon photos are excellent.

The light is so hazy that I sought refuge in isolated shots.

manda · May 1, 2009

I can't tell you what a lucky shot this is - I was just firing madly hoping I'd get one clean shot.

Bhutan [manda]

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