I was asked to shoot my mother’s temple group when they visited, having a monk come and bless your altar table is quite an honour apparently.
In this portrait the subject is framed all the way to the edge. The composition is a bit different to the safe approach I generally take when shooting portraits, but I like the end result. The photo capturing the man’s expression of concentrated prayer. Your eyes travel from the man’s expression, to the wooden instrument, to the background; people in traditional prayer posture. I can’t decide if the vertical, brown run of colour detracts, it is in fact the altar table, so it gives a bit of extra context with that knowledge in mind. I probably should have still composed with it out of frame as it draws your attention away from the main subject somewhat. Still, it’s all about learning, right?
