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lorrainemd — The Monk
Published: 2004-07-02 21:01:33 +0000 UTC; Views: 11880; Favourites: 305; Downloads: 2163
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Description
We exchanged a glance for a moment in the temple of Ankor Wat in Cambodia. They are so kind, and so open to visitors, in spite of the fact that they were persecuted so harshly under the regime of Pol Pot.Again, I think photojournalism is the true soul of photography. Nothing can outweight capturing real life and bringing a glimpse of the unknown to others. It opens the heart and frees the mind.
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Comments: 142
I love it, i'm looking for these robes too - if anyone has info on how to make/or where to get besides monkism, email me at Roklar@yahoo.com! :3
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very powerful. the color of the image is incredibly important to the overall effect, and his facial expression is perfect.
nice!
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Hello:
Your work has been featured in a news article here = [link]
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terrific shot, just awesome... looks like an old 18-19hundreds pic taken by an english explorer (of a misterious eastern monastery)or somthing
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that's a GRINITE shot!
very nice tones, great subject, nice description.
i like it a lot your journalistic photos.
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Wonderful, extraordinary photograph. Exquisite! This is something I think you would find from the best photo journalists.
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That is wonderful - there is an amazing timeless feel to it that the sepia toning really emphasises.
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Wow great photo!!!! I will download it and show to my sister which want to go to Asia mountains for Summer... she really feel this monks culture.. and on this photo U showed his soul.. nice
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I love photojournalism, you have some of the best photojournalism photos on this site.
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beautiful! i can't stop looking at every detail. wonderfully done.
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It's a very nice picture! aaaahhhh Asia I'm missing it! 23 days more!
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Hmmm.. A Monk... From Thailand? mmm maybe from Phillipines?? hard to know.... But he looks like he is waiting for a Taxi.... a Monk in a Taxi... your Monk in a Taxi... hmmm, how stupid i am. don't you think?
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wow the tones and the sepia look make this photo look much older than it actually is. its a really perfect capture
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Wonderful picture. I love the tone of it. Monks bring me this sort of peace around them. I don't know how but it might be thier karma or chi maybe.
"One must not rush ahead, but first observe the situation. Then you can make your move."
[link]
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Great shot! the sepia tone works very well and gives the photo an ancient look
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you have an eye
and you have courage
and you have a deep sense of
empathy
humanity
and
insight.
with this piece you have shared
a moment of this man's life
and yours.
thank you.
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This is an amazing shot, as many have already stated sans elaboration. I agree completely with your point about photojournalism, but I think you need a special skill to be able to capture human events with poignancy. Robert Cappa did it, and so did you.
"It opens the heart and frees the mind". Inspired words, and especially applicable to this specific portrait. Anybody familiar with Cambodia's semi-recent history (not that I am really) will really feel this hit a forgotten nerve. The presecution of religious sects has been a tragic trend in nations all around the world, and here you have shown that this time the religion held its ground and still continues its humble way. (Out of interest, is this a Buddhist temple per se?)
His expression really speaks volumes in this, and I've come to notice in most very old photojournalistic photographs the expression tends to. His eyes are not lazy, but tranquil; they look right at the camera with a kind of displaced interest, but their eyes are not annoyed or angry or complacent. They are at ease.
His mouth the same; it is not smiling or frowning, but houses the same tranquility as the eyes. I don't mean to romanticize him, but his expression is shockingly honest and calm.
His hand resting on the pillar there, by one finger, looks like the curled position meditating monks of some religions have their hands and fingers in. It's wholly accidental, but looking at it in a certain way really makes it look quite symbolistic. Even his stance has a sort of peace about it, with the weight on both feet evenly and his other hand loose at his side.
But the reason I was reminded of Cappa before is this colour tone. It is neither pure black and white nor pure sepia, as far as I can see, but something in between; maybe like an old black and white photograph, very slightly yellowed. Not just the tone, but the lighting too is almost stereotypical of early 20th century photography. Choice subject matter in those days was often foreign nationals in portraiture, because all things 'not-European' (for Europeans) or all things 'not-American' (for Americans) was considered exotic and of great interest; a kind of elitist fascination often peeks from under the poignant portraits of monks and nuns and guards and children, but not so here. There is a hidden honesty or concealed emotion in this shot.
The composition too is very stylish and a little reminiscent of 'the olden days'; the subject is in the very center of the photo, in a full-body capture, and his pose is very natural and unforced as in some sort of conscious pose. The background is important as well, it should be authentic and contain some scintillating but teasing hint of exoticism that puts the subject of the portrait in a very interesting context.
A truly subtlely powerful piece of photojournalism; this is an ageless shot. Bravo! 
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i ve seen a week ago and didnt comment about it.....well....simply amazing
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I love it
to travel, to know other cultures, to capture moments and feelings in the time
simply fascinating
thank you
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Wow... I can only express gratitude for this shot, and inadequately. Words are weak. Truly thank you.
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Oh my, Sometimes a photo comes along that just strikes us in so many ways. Sometimes a breif glance is all thats needed. I've seen many shots of the temples in Cambodia specifically of Ankor Wot/Thom but not many of the monks inside. This is truly a stunning piece of photojournalism. Like you said it is very much a backbone of photography.
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wow.....wow....really, really nice picture. Amazing..
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crazy monks.
you stole his soul...
poor guy.
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wow. looks like a tstatue. He goes in one with tha background. I love that effect. Really great piec!
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fantastic texture and tone...i love photojournalism, if you look at some of the photographs in things like The National Geographic they are just breath taking, i sit in awe as i look through them, capturing real life, real people and places, letting others see these images and learn from them, it is priceless..
xxx
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Again great detail and the warmth of this. Like a window to another world for those of us who have never seen those faraway lands.
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oh he has such a soft spirit doesnt he?! Hmmm im really loving your photography- cause it comes along with some wonderful insight- thanks for sharing such amazing things with us
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