35mm Still Descriptions

so i posted our 35mm still photos from our trip to the monastery on sunday, feb 4. with the exception of one shot (we had some exposure problems), we have 3 different forms of each framing, each using a different f-stop. we've posted all the forms and will then decide which we find to be best exposed. i think that some are obvious and some are not so we will have to make the first of our creative decisions. below are brief explanations of the shots:

Still #1:
this is a sign posted on a tree made out of a slice of tree. there is writing in sanskrit i am guessing, but we don't know what it says...something for us to find out on our next visit. the sign is located right before the long walkway up to the newest building.

Still #2:
we hoped to illustrate the unique architecture of the monastery in this photo. i imagine that there are philosophical reasons for it being constructed like it is, but nonetheless it is beautiful.

Still #3:
this photo is a more direct shot of the largest building. the monks and members of the monastery have been working on building this for something like 18 years. they buy concrete pilings and beams as money is donated. and for example, if someone purchases a building material for the monastery, his or her name is stenciled directly onto it, making a truly communal structure.

Still #4:
this photo was unplanned. we were towards the end of our stay at the monastery and this group of people had stayed behind to speak with the monk. one of the girls had been very vocal with her questions and objections to what the monk had been speaking about earlier. he had answered her patiently and happily and then took them outside to pour their water into the earth. we all took part in this ritual as it was meant to pass on our 'merit' to other living entities. at first i tried to frame out the vehicle because i thought it took away from the beauty of the moment, but now i think it almost portrays this ancient religion's adaptation to modern culture. (though the vehicle was certainly not the monk's)

Still #5:
this is just one of many shrines within the monastery. it is situated next to where the monk held service that day. there are countless buddha statues and figurines stacked to the ceiling.

Still #6:
this photo was taken by suggestion of one of the long time buddhist members. they seemed proud to show us that the monks living at the monastery were internet savvy. he also pointed out that they did not, however, play games, etc. but used their computer for communication purposes only. i think mostly this shot exemplifies a religion open to change.

Still #7:
this could possibly have been our best shot if it had not been for some exposure problems. i think the better of the two pictures still captures a great moment. the monk is not actually meditating here, but he is in meditating position. in fact, he is posing for this picture. when we first arrived at the monastery, we were nervous about taking pictures because we weren't sure if it was polite or even allowed in some circumstances. after talking with several veterans to the monastery, we quickly learned that everyone including the monks welcome photographs being taken and really anything. i didn't take it at all to be a form of vanity, but rather i felt like the monk and everyone wanted us and anyone else to take from this experience whatever we wished. we will certainly take more photos of this sort on future visits.


i also took a bunch of digital stills....i will post them as soon as they are edited and ready to go...
peace. genevieve