The Tattooed Monk, a photo from Siem Reab, West

Photographer's Note

These guys were great. I don't know the name of this temple, but it was right across the road from the Bayon, in the Angkor Complex. I have a small tattoo of a maple leaf(proud Canadian) on my leg, and when these guys saw that, they were incredibly anxious to show off the ink on one of their members. They literally were pulling away his robes in order to show me his extensively decorated skin. For his part, he was patient and willing to let his friends show him off. In the top photo, it is strange they would allow themselves to be photographed considering the monk on the left is not fully covered. My understanding is that a monk is not supposed to allow himself to be photographed without being properly covered. Although there was a major language barrier, they were very friendly, and this was a very fun, quick stop.

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Critiques | Translate

Curioso (9271) 2003-08-17 8:25

What a wonderful story and a great composition. Your high quality shot is perfectly illustrated by the text.

I'm amazed by the way they shared part of their story with you. I guess it was an intense moment for you.

I usually do not like such 2 picture composition but this time it was really clever and probably the best way to share the whole story with us.

Congratulation for these fantastic shots !

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onyourbike (117) 2003-08-17 9:18

Great shots and excellent description. I especially like the monk's expression in the bottom picture. After getting up every morning for the last few days to photograph monks, i have really grown to appreciate that most monks have a great sense of humour, even at 6am.

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Motrem (2392) 2003-08-17 10:03

Interesting note which is renforcie by both photos. The composition is excellent, nice colours.
Note int閞essante qui est renforcie par les deux photos. La composition est excellente, les couleurs bien rendues.

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forlife (892) 2003-08-17 12:49

great story,great compositions and DOF,great colours.very well done Darren!

keir (250) 2003-08-17 17:20

Darren, your story makes the connection between images fun. I love the hiding blur above and then the openness shown below. In the upper I'd crop just a little; in the bottom I think taking a small step to the right would have improved it. Great sequence regardless.

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gringofil (0) 2003-08-22 6:47

The bottom shot, Darren, is great. I really like the expression of the Monk and the DOF of this shot is perfect. The top one is nice as well, but not as powerful as the other. In the bottom you captured the essance of this Monk...it really shows him as he is (thinking of your story here). Really well done.

Luko (14000) 2003-09-04 17:24

I really like the way you zoomed on the monks from their environment to closer details, though the bottom picture does better stand alone than the other, i think your presentation gives even more sense to what should have been (the lower only) a good portrait but nothing more.
Aesthetcally i find each shot compliments the other well as we're going from a brighter shot to a lower key, those two being related by the orange color.
Easy when you're looking at the finished product, but quite difficult to achieve and toget 2 pictures that will really match together though bringing different point of views.
This one really stands out of your cambodian image crop so far.

eleparc (24063) 2004-02-24 19:30