There is something very serene about this image. The Buddha is the central focus, a cool blue grey stone, framed by greenery. He rests atop a simple base, an elegant alter before him which is being made use of at the moment the photo was taken. In the foreground you can see a wooden ladder, making the image more casual and modern than if it had been left out and demonstrating how the statue is perceived and used.
This communicates the enormity of the Buddha, and impresses his significance upon the viewer. The natural setting he is in implies that he is indeed one with peace, as his relaxed, meditative position already shows. The most intriguing part of the picture is the interaction of people with the statue. The distant, peaceful atmosphere of the statue is tainted with their presence, the man leaning against him casually, observing the photographer, is almost disrespectful as he is out of place. The women looks caught off guard, turning to face the photographer. If anything, this photo takes a natural, religious idea of the Buddha and exemplifies how it is applied in modern, daily life.
This lightly colored, carefully composed image possesses a calmness and symmetry. Two woman are bowed facing one another, and the sunlight fills the wide, fairly empty room. There are few things within the room besides the women and the small objects in front of them, emphasizing space. By extension, it emphasizes simplicity, and the beauty in it. The pastel colors add to this theme. The photograph is also at an interesting angle, placing the subjects not directly in front of it nor as a profile but at an almost awkward diagonal. This seems to demonstrate the naturalness of the scene, as if just coming upon it and observing it in its natural state rather than focusing on a more professional, direct photographic angle. The scene is light, natural, simple and perhaps that is why I as the viewer am so taken by it.
For the first picture of the Buddha, I first had that feeling of zen until I zoomed in and saw those little people on the statue. Like how you described it, their presence taints the statue, and how all of them stares straight into the camera, sort of leaves me feeling discomforted.
ReplyDeleteI love your second picture. The angle in this one is different because it's not straightforward shot. I really like the simplicity and elegance the two women show. And the colors aren't dull, but refreshing.
Great analyses!
Right?! I agree whole heartily. You don't realize the modern aspect of the Buddha image until you take a closer look, and then it makes you double-check what you originally thought the author intended to convey. The second picture was a favourite of mine too, I think there's something special in that angle and simplicity that makes it so likable!
ReplyDeleteI actually did feel a sense of comfort when I saw your first image, but it's kind of weird how after you pointed the people out, it kind of changed how I felt. I think that the people probably felt comfort from the figure and since it was a part of their daily lives, but as a viewer on the outside, it just looks wrong. I think your second image is gorgeous! I love how the angle is so that it is almost as if you just walked in on their normal life. Do you think the colors were saturated for a reason or do you think it was only for aesthetic balance/purpose?
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