Making Pictures at the Mythological Mountain ~ Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar

Four novice burmese monks on the lower terraces of Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar

Hsinbyume Pagoda
Seven concentric terraces, representing the seven mountain ranges going up to the mythological Mount Meru, form the base of Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun.

There are ups and downs when traveling with a photo group.

One of the most important advantages is time: a group of people aiming to make pictures will often stay in one place long enough to experiment with light and angles and to focus on details, long enough to make the average non-photographer fidget with boredom and restlessness.

Being with a group of photo enthusiasts means that you have access to lots of advice and input. On the flip side, it can also mean being overwhelmed by other people’s styles and and ideas, and having difficulty holding on to your own.

It means being put in the right place a the right time. It also means competing for space and having to work around others – and taking lots of dud pictures that include other people’s lenses, feet, heads, flashes, and other body- and camera-bits.

Sometimes, like at Hsinbyume Pagoda in Myanmar last September, with photographer Karl Grobl and guide Mr MM, it means having “models” organised. This is always a lot of fun, and is much easier than negotiating permission with subjects yourself. However, it also means waiting your turn while subjects wilt in the heat, losing the moment, or having the eyes of your subject drawn away by someone else, just as you are about to take the picture you have been warming them up to.

But, it provides a welcome opportunity for photographic exercise. For me, Hsinbyume Pagoda was a challenge in lighting: dark skinned novices in dark robes contrasting severely with a white pagoda against a whiter-than-white sky; dark skinned novices in dark robes disappearing in the dimness of the pagoda’s interiors.

It also gave me a chance to make the kind of “orchestrated” photos that I don’t normally take.

Four young burmese novice monks arrange themselves on the terraces of Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

Novices on the Waves
Four young novices arrange themselves on the terraces at the base of Hsinbyume Pagoda.

Four young novice monks on the white terraces of Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

Ready!
The young novices wait for everyone to take their pictures.

A Little Burmese Novice tidies his robes, Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

Little Novice
Against the white waves of the pagoda, glaring in the heat, a young novice tidies his robes.

Little burmese Novice standing on the lower terraces of Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

Little Novice

Young burmese Novice running across the waves of the lower terraces of Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar

Don’t tell the Abbot!

Young burmese novice running across the waves of the lower terraces, Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

Novice on the Run
Our novices engage in some rather un-monkly behaviour for our benefit.

Young burmese novice, robes flying, running on the terraces of Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar

Novice on the Waves

Young burmese novice jumping across the waves of the the lower terrace, Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar

Novice in Flight

Barefoot tourists climbing the stairs to Hsinbyume Pagoda. Mingun, Myanmar

The whole group climbs the stairs up to the pagoda…

Novice burmese monk with an umbrella, outside Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

… to take pictures of a young novice on the path outside it.

Portrait: young burmese novice with an umbrella posed outside Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar

In the Heat of the Day

Portrait of a young burmese novice against a metal lattice doorway, Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar

Novice in a Doorway
Inside the pagoda, it is dark and textured –

Portrait: young burmese novice against a textured metal lattice, Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

Novice in a Doorway
– making a foil for the young novices.

Portrait of a smiling burmese novice with an umbrella, Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar

Novice on a Walkway
Outside, on the walkway, the heat continues to radiate in all directions.

A burmese couple kneeling in prayer at an alter, Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

Prayers
Meanwhile, inside, a couple say their prayers…

Looking along an upper terrace at Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar; rough grass and rubbish.

… and the grass grows wild and rubbish collects on the terraces.

View down to the exit of Hsinbyume Pagoda, Mingun, Myanmar.

Soon it is time to descend the stairs, pass the money collection bins, and exit the pagoda ~ and to reenter the “every day” world… where more “natural” photos await.

Certainly, there are pros and cons of traveling with a photo group.

Text: Keep smilingBut I love that it gets me to places I might not otherwise go, and stretches me to make pictures I might not otherwise attempt.

And, ultimately, it means coming home with so many pictures it is hard to know where to start!

‘Till next week…

Pictures: 15September2012

  • Anna :o] - August 8, 2013 - 5:46 pm

    Orchestrated your photos – but nevertheless wonderful!
    Anna :o]ReplyCancel

    • Ursula - August 8, 2013 - 9:30 pm

      Thanks, Anna :o]! Lovely to have your company. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Dietmut - August 18, 2013 - 3:36 pm

    I love this series. Beautiful captures. Greetings and nice week DietmutReplyCancel

    • Ursula - August 20, 2013 - 8:37 pm

      Thanks, Dietmut. The novices were fun!ReplyCancel

  • Claudio Collina - February 8, 2016 - 11:59 am

    Hi Ursula,
    i’m Claudio from Italy,
    could i use your stunning Little Novice photo in a catalogue, for a new organic, biological and ethically produced cosmetic skincare? Let me know if it’s possible.
    Thank you in advance for your disposability and compliments for your works.ReplyCancel

    • Ursula - February 9, 2016 - 2:49 am

      Thanks, Claudio! I have emailed you. 😀ReplyCancel

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