Morning Prayer – Xilai Temple
Xilai Buddhist Temple
Liuzhou, Guangxi, China – August 17, 2010
I met Ken (Liuzhou Laowai) at Xilai Temple this morning and we arrived in the middle of morning prayer. Not being Buddhist and not being able to fully communicate with everyone it’s difficult to know how and when it’s cool to shoot at temples, so we kinda’ eased our way into it. Sure enough we eventually wore out our welcome. I got a few nice shots before (politely) being asked to stop shooting inside. The temple is looking a bit shabby since my last visit about three years ago. Perhaps they are waiting for their new giant bell to arrive before sprucing the place up.
Congrats on your first post on the new site! Everything looks great. Interesting photos. I like the one of the woman holding what looks like a spoon.
That’s a little bell-like thing Mark, she’s hitting it with that silver stick as she walks and chants…
We really felt like interlopers but didn’t want to put our cameras down.
Welcome to the new site. Some great images to kick things off.
Thanks Craig… still a lot to get done but decided to go ahead and plow through with it live on-line. I’ll have to finish up after I get back from Hong Kong next week!
Looking good Mike
Thanks Ron, I’ve discovered about 14 errors so far this evening… a work in progress but I’m getting there!
Lovely shots. Always difficult shooting in temples. Sometimes the welcome mat get pulled rather quickly.
Congrats on you new site. Looks lovely.
Thanks Nanice, hopefully in a few weeks time I’ll actually have it fleshed out and and be able to catch up with folks!
Nicely done, Micheal. Great photos, great new site.
Thanks scary guy with hat…
See you in a few days!
I love the varied focal lengths of these shots. Really nice.
Michael thanks… I appreciate you dropping in, looks like you’ve had some travel adventures! I’ll make some time to read more of your blog next week when I get back from Hong Kong.
WOW. What incredible photographs!!! I am blown away..
Andy, thanks! I just read some of your articles on Hong Kong!
Just stumbled across your page and wow, very impressed.
Novice at photography but love the way you varied you focal length-what camera did you use and what kind of settings if you don’t mind sharing the magic:) I have a Olympus OM10 and saving up for a digital SLR
Kash B aka twitter.com/budgettraveller http://www.europebudgetguide.com
The new site looks good Michael. The pictures are beautiful, as usual.
Thanks Peet, still a lot to get done before next term begins (less than a week)!
Very cool shots – love how you play with the focal lengths here. I just came across your blog and love the images.
I hate trying to identify Chinese temples (well, I’m in Taiwan) as “Buddhist,” “Taoist,” or whatever – religion in Asia is so confusing for us in this Western mindset and with our belief systems.
Josh thanks for stopping by… I’ll get over to take a look at your Taiwan adventure soon!
A great set of images, and I love the use of the depth of field and non distracting backgrounds in some of them.
Congrats for your photos on this blog, very beautiful portraits ! Very impressive !
Man, you are the Master! Please keep recording as you have been all these years.
You are doing an excellent and worthwhile job – I just wish someone real big, like National Geographics would take notice of the great work you are doing in and for China
As a small aside from me, congratulations and thank you for what you are doing.
Respect!
Jay aka johey24 at flickr