Travel Photography: Sri Lanka’s beautiful people, caves and Buddhism culture, the story behind the photos.
The Journey continuos in Sri Lanka...
Dambula Rock Caves, Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
This is the final part from my last journey to Sri Lanka and Central India; well Sri Lanka was actually the first part of my trip, don’t ask me why this became last, I honestly don’t know.
I have selected just a few photos for this short but rewarding Journey and if you like to see more please feel free to check out all the other photos from Sri Lanka on my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.
Paintings and statues inside the Dambula Rock Caves, Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
I left from Manila with my friend Hubert Weber via Bangkok and arrived just after midnight in Colombo, a long day indeed.
After an hour drive we got to our Hotel and managed to get a few hours sleep, but it was more like 2 hours since we had to hit the road to the Dambula Cave Temple in the morning…oh my gosh it was morning already.
Tiered but the adrenalin was doing a good job, it was after all my first visit to Sri Lanka, and right from the arrival I had a very good feel about it, the people seem to be very nice, actually super nice as we discovered during our entire trip.
On the way to the Dambula Caves there were lots of photo opportunities along the road, from Rubber plantations, handcrafted Batik, the famous Ceylon Tea,and so many other interesting subjects including a snake charmer with a huge Python and Cobra and of course Dambula which had been on my agenda for many years.
Dambulla is a part of the Cultural Triangle declared by UNESCO is on the main road from Sigiriya to Kandy about 19Km from Sigiriya. There are over 80 caves in the surrounding and some of them have been used by monks as meditation locations.
Buddha statues inside theDambula Rock Caves, Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
The Corridor outside the Dambula Rock Caves, Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain the statues and the paintings. Since it's founding in the 1 century BC by King Valagamba, many improvements and additions have been carried out to the sculptures and paintings over the years. Hindu statues are believed to be of the 12 century AD and the latest paintings are of the late 18-century. The temple is a perfect location to view evolution of the ancient Sri Lankan arts.
We reached Dambula mid afternoon…by now we felt the long hours without sleep, only to be told by our charming Guide that we had to climb (a lot of steps) to the Temple Cave.
I almost collapsed half way up…my energy was fading fast from lack of sleep and long hours on the road, puffing… I had no choice but to hire a friend of our Guide who just happen to be there to help me and carry my backpack …or was this planned?
Uhhh… we made it, just in time for the nice afternoon light which blessed us for the remaining few hours before sunset, and what a sunset it was…all the hard work paid off.
Sri Lanka another place I have to return too, not only for its amazing culture, but also for its Landscapes and rich Wildlife. As a matter of fact we’re having a GD Photo Workshop in 2012 to Sri Lanka and Central India - discovering the undiscovered, for example the not so frequently visited Rock Cave Temple Aluviharaya near Matale.
Aluvihara cave temple Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Aluvihara cave temple is surrounded by hills, 30 km south of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla road is having a great historic importance. The history of Aluvihara is traced back to the 3rd Century B.C. in the reign of King Devanampiyatissa.
Aluvihare is one of the most important cultural sites in Sri Lanka.It was believed to be, Buddhist doctrines were first recorded on Ola leaves after passing through orally, here in the 1st century BC, during the reign of King Vattagamini Abaya.This Dhamma record is known as 'Thripitakaya' and to day it is concern as main guiding Dhamma book of Theravada Buddhism.Aluvihare is significant for the huge rocks which leads to classified it as a rock temple.
People of Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
People of Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
People of Sri Lanka
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Of course Kandy was on our itinerary, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka that is now a major tourist destination. (115kM from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level). Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples, the city could be called the cultural capital of the island.
I short…Sri Lanka is an amazing place with its friendly people, rich culture, amazing landscapes and unique wildlife, truly inviting for many more visits.
Batik handycraft, Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Meditation at the temple of the Tooth, Kandy Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Worshiping and meditation at the temple of the Tooth, Kandy Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Just one more...
Young boy with incense, Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Oh did I forget to mention all the Elephants? But that is another story…my next post will be from Bangkok, Thailand, so please stay tuned.
GD
Interesting feedback...Is this a real Image? Compare the images... Are we facing a dilemma in PHOTOGRAPHY today…the story continues...
The real image? The story continues...
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/australia.html
© Gunther Deichmann - double rainbow over the Olgas N.T.
Central Australia, image taken on Kodachrome 25, 1981
Feedback and good dialogue is always a good thing…learning something everyday even if you think you old and wise…exchange of knowledge can only open our eyes and broaden our Horizon…
Read below some of the un-edited emails I have received, different opinions from different Countries…in the end it is up to you which way you create your images but as mention before I am very firm when it comes to Photo Journalism, Geographic, Culture and Travel Photography.
If you like to go crazy then go for it…YOUR Choice, it is after all a very creative field with many different interpretations on any given image.
However in Documentary Photography we should be truthful to our selfs and the public.
Henry Bateman an Australian Photographer/Artist living
in the Philippine wrote…
(thanks Henry for letting me use the images you send me)
Check out Henry’s work, you might find it very interesting@ http://www.pissedpoetpics.com/
Friday, May 16, 2008
Is This a Real Image?
Is this a real Image? Well yes, I guess it must be, it's there in front of you. (Ok, I am begging the question, but then it is a poorly phrased question) Is it a literal representation of what was in front of the lens? Well no, I guess not, it is my interpretation of the scene. Although, except for a few lines I added to highlight some edges, nothing has been added that didn't exist in the original photograph.
It was taken at the opening of Luis Martin Harder's exhibition, Unscripted.
© Henry Bateman- thanks Henry
My interest lies in exploring the why of things rather than displaying their literal representations. My images relate to a broader discourse and use the medium (captured light) to tell the story rather than just relying on the here is narrative.
I use Photoshop to make the image, but because it is made from only one negative/raw file it requires a particular approach to using the camera to get a file that can accept the manipulation. In fact it requires a different way of looking to find the scenes that will work.
Does this make it less real? Different yes, but only in so much that I am looking at from a different point of view.
My reply to Henry…
Hi Henry,
great I just read your blog, no problem I think a very nice and cool forum... what i am saying and what i am worried is that in Journalistic terms like real events this real verses manipulated becomes an issue.
I also have been using Photoshop almost since day one and do some crazy stuff but in covering events and real life encounters? We have to be careful, anyway thanks for your thoughts and I really like your stuff…
Cheers Gunther
Henry’s reply…
Hi Gunther
Thanks for the kind words mate and yes I am in agreement about keeping in touch.
I take on board your concern re doco pics but lets face it it aint nothing new. Granted PS makes it easier but it has always been buyer beware. As per the 2 attached pics circa 1854/5 by Roger Fenton titled "The Shadow of the Valley of Death".
Courtesy of Henry Bateman - R-Fenton-circa-1854-(1)
Courtesy of Henry Bateman - R-Fenton-circa-1854-(2)
There was a lovely debate some 12 months ago in the NY Times about which photo came first and which had been altered, albeit not by PS but physically by hand. The question that wasn't asked was "Which of the 2 pics best told the story?"
No 2 photographers will shoot a scene the same way, "Which of the 2 best tells the story/truth?". I can shoot the same scene in several ways with each telling a different story.
It is in part why I have chosen to do what I do. The camera doesn't lie is up there with "of course I will love you in the morning". As Picasso said the job of an artist is to convince people of the truth of their lies.
regards
Henry
From Picture Group Photo News Agency in India…
GD
You tell us how ?
Chandu
My reply…
Hi Chandu,
Great to hear from you.
Now to your ?
Very difficult indeed to tell, I am an advocate for real things when it comes to Photo Journalistic images, we should not mess around with these, of course Photoshop and all the other stuff out there has is place and I use it too, but in real life and events we should be careful and not manipulate the images or distort a given event. In advertising and creative we can of course do what we like... go crazy if we choose so.
But how to tell is very difficult these days I guess ethics play a big role here, from the Photographer to the editors.
Thanks for reading the blog, remember it is only my opinion.
Have a fantastic day,
Cheers Gunther
Chandu’s reply…
Hi GD
I may be now editor but I am photographer 1st - I am out with the camera to shoot, I do not crop nor make any major changes in the "raw" image expect for transmission or printing.
that is all I have to say - i do not know what other photo editors do. Even agency like Magnum, I know quite a photographer attached to them, I have heard what happened at the board meeting, the older ones has quite taken back with the portfolio's they are getting for approval which do get approved. I will not give names but that is life...one has to change with it...if do not you get left behind....what do you have to say this....
Cheers
Chandu
My reply…
Hi Chandu,
thanks for this dialogue... very interesting indeed, hmmmm let me think, the image in the end will win you and I know that, I guess it boils down to only one thing your conscious and been able to feel good about it and say... yes this is real, I know that, even if they dont believe me, that alone is a good feeling and worth a lot. A nice gut feeling if nothing else!
It is an interesting subject which ever way you look at it and we all know times have changed when Digital arrived, I am just a little concern, since I admire the likes of Capola, Ansel Adams and many more, a craft which is now seldom taught even in schools, sad but true, can we change it? I guess not.
We have arrived at this Digital age and I am no exception, all of this just crossed my mind the other day when i run into this young photographer and having this conversation. I have no doubts that this subject will be around for quiet some time, being old or young.
You are right we have to move forward otherwise we will be left behind... sad but so true.
Thanks for your words and exchange I do appreciate this very much, at-least we can talk about it, and that is just so nice,
have a great day and we stay in touch,
Cheers Gunther
From Luis Martin Harder, Manila Philippines
Hi Gunther,
Thanks so much for putting my exhibit on your blog. You're super cool,
man. Just as I was thinking about learning about true "photography" and
then you came out with an article about "are we getting real" photos or
images. You know GD I really want to learn more about PHOTOGRAPHY in its
purest sense. I believe you're the right person who can impart the
knowledge since I can see that you are one of the few remaining true
blue "PHOTOGRAPHER".
Can you help me with this? I'll surely appreciate your interest.
Thanks again GD. Hope to see you soon.
Cheers!
Luis Harder
WINGS TECHNOLOGY ENTERPRISE INC.
My closing words…thank you all for your thoughts and input very interesting indeed and I do appricitae all your comments…
" If we lose our human values by having everything mechanized, then machines will dictate our lives."
Dalai Lama
GD
Stock Photos…images available 24 hours a day via PhotoShelter online… in high & low resolution, browse the Gunther Deichmann Archive Gallery with constant updates from more than 20 Countries
Stock Photos…images available 24 hours a day via PhotoShelter online…
For those who don’t know how the PhotoShelter Archive Gallery
looks like, I have provided a screenshot see below.
Currently there are close to 4000 images in high resolution available covering Countries like: Australia – Pitcairn – Tahiti - Germany – Italy – Greece – Spain – France – Indonesia – Laos – Thailand - Burma/Myanmar – Vietnam – Cambodia – Taiwan – Palau- Yap - Pohnpei - Chuuk (Micronesia) Guam- Saipan - Philippines – Brunei – Malaysia - Singapore – Hong Kong - India – Tibet…
Environmental images, some generic commercial work, Sports and activities, Wildlife, special effects and composites.
The contend of each folder has a full description and the number of images inside, click the folder and you see the selection of the country or category.
There is also a folder with most of the high-resolution images from the Book…
“Journey Through Color & Time”
Check the link below and browse the gallery, scroll down & once the Home page is up on the left hand side you see this box (see screenshot below) just click on… red oval.
View all Galleries.
http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann
For Gunther’s commercial work over the past few years please visit: http://web.mac.com/gdimages/gdimages/Home.html
You can also visit: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD
Luis Martin Harder…his first Exhibition at One Workshop Gallery in Manila & at the same time “Reunion” with some of my students from the Cambodian GDPhotoWorkshop.
Cool images by Luis Martin Harder…
“Unscripted”
All Photos above by Hermes Singson, by the way
Luis is the one in the dark maroon/blue shirt
Congratulation to Luis Martin Harder one of my students from the Cambodian GDPhotoWorkshop last year…he really went out his way and show cased his very first Exhibition on the 13th of May in Manila.
Since Cambodia he has done real well, more than 30 images from Cambodia and the Philippines are on display, very impressive work I might add and I am very proud of him.
A good and mixed crowed attended the opening night at the One Workshop Gallery including other familiar faces like good old Bebet Gaudinez (I am just waiting to see
his Exhibition) and Jasmine Manabat who also attended my PhotoWorkshop last year,
almost like a “little reunion”.
Photographers like Wig Tysman, Tilak Hettig, George Tapan and many other personalities including Henry Bateman Artist/Writer showed up to give Luis the credit he deserves, of course the host Photographer Master printer and Artist Ross Capilli and his wife made sure everybody had enough to drink and eat. Thanks Ross.
Congratulations again to Luis Harder for a great show and super cool images…
You might remember from one of my earlier blogs…he was the one who received the Aperture software, (which was sponsored by the Power Mac Center in Makati) during our Cambodian GDPhotoWorkshop, see the image below in case you have forgotten.
Thanks for inviting me and being part of your show, keep up the good work Luis.
GD
The winning shot, by © Luis Harder, Cambodia 2007
