Photographer’s Note
From 2 weeks spend in Guatemala, this was the prime hour.
Imagine a church (Santo Tomas – I think) on a hill with stairs leading up to it.12 o’clock; Mass just finished. All over the stairs small wooden fires are burning, lots of smoke; difficult to breathe. The clouds in the sky reflected the smoke around the stairs. Atmosphere!!!
No pictures allowed, so you hang your camera with a 24mm lens hooked up over your neck and you shoot from the stomach hoping that the film doesn’t rewind and gives you away and that 1 out of 10 pictures ends up “reasonable”
Difficult to imagine? See the workshop picture
On the left side of the stairway, people were sitting coming back from the market.
Note: look also at Paolo's picture Here
Critiques | Translate
kabe
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 179 W: 1 N: 26]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(1998) 2005-02-08 17:41
Yes, great mystical atmosphere you captured,
I like it very much...
Good work, congratulation.
Well done.
andrenuage (116) 2005-02-08 17:47
Impressive, a real fresca! Your efforts were fruitful. This is a rare chance caught on film.
analupi
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 14 W: 0 N: 20]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(227) 2005-02-08 18:13
very well, Alfred! I like the contrast; those colors and life at the bottom and the gray shades at the top.
Homerhomer
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 797 W: 102 N: 549]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(4005) 2005-02-08 18:24
Wow, what a shot Alfred, the church looks like it is in heaven, the gathering of poeple is indeed indication of after mass gatherings/festivities, and the colours are fantstic. This one turned out great.
Peter
sengir
(4946) 2005-02-08 19:04
wow! this is splendid, I believe one of your best shots, and maybe even one of the best in TE
trip
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 116]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(852) 2005-02-08 19:46
Wow that is a fantastic shot, I like the POV a lot, and all the colorful clothing.
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 41 W: 16 N: 36]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/s-s-s.gif){kind=small}
tucancr
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 271 W: 44 N: 4]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-n.gif){kind=small}
(24) 2005-02-08 22:56
Hi Alfred,
Very good shot. Good representation of Guatemala culture. Good composition, very colorful. Iris
maphoto
(8076) 2005-02-08 23:16
Very nice photo Alfred, the atmosphere is indeed incredible, the point of view is also very nice with this wonderful sky and monument in the background, well seen.
arnabchat
(7052) 2005-02-08 23:57
incredible shot. good that you sneaked in with this one. i can feel the atmosphere.
manny
(21378) 2005-02-09 1:26
I like this. So real, with magnificent lighting. Very interesting faces.
Lithium
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 134 W: 15 N: 58]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(596) 2005-02-09 2:03
What an impressive shot with so many interesting faces and expressions to explore... The upper part of the pic looks somewhat surreal... maybe because of the smoke and those clouds. Amazing job you did here!
alainh
(35385) 2005-02-09 2:56
Hello Alfred.
un angle idéal pour montrer cette foule avec l'eglise et le ciel en toile de fond. une palette de superbes couleurs.
tres joli
amicalement
alain
maciekda
(19599) 2005-02-09 3:04
this is very nice, very nice scene, very dense composition, lots of colors, interesting background... very good stuff
clodreno
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 3841 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(0) 2005-02-09 10:38
Nice image Alfred, i like the way the steps are leading us toward that churh, but it's a big plus having all those people on the steps..
Very nice colors as well..
wilkinsonsg
(8646) 2005-02-09 18:25
Fantastic image, even more remakable considering the method employed in taking it.
The clouds and smoke along with the riot of colours of the people cloths make a truly outstanding shot - well done :)
bboss
(3548) 2005-02-10 19:01
Fantastic capture, I love that the women are still wearing their traditional colours. Good composition, and lucky I guess from what you explain.
Did they do the funny horse ceremony? I remember that being quite hilarious. And weird to see the strange blend of christianity with other older traditions. Did you see the shrine up on the hill where they do 'christian' sacrifices? Very strange and powerful place.
I dont remember any 'no photos allowed' - I shot everything, maybe I'll post some soon. Thanks for taking me back there for a few minutes.
explomars
(4230) 2005-02-13 8:06
Tres belle vue en contre plongée qui donne une atmosphère particulière à cette photo très bien pensée.Bien vu Fred.Phil
scalerman
(25787) 2005-02-16 11:28
Wow, Alfred, despite the exposure challenges you had here... this shot drips of mood. So effective and powerful.
keribar
(42760) 2005-02-16 15:25
Hello Alfred,
Cela fait la deuxième fois que j'observe cette photo.. Je savais que Chichicastenango était un endroit privilégié pour les amateurs de photo, et qu'il était défendu d'en faire. L'idée même m'ênerve et c'est sans dout ce détail qui m'a empêché de la critiquer. Je voudrais toutefois ajouter que pour une photo faite avec l'appareil au niveau
de la taille... Chapeau !
DAM
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 173 W: 75 N: 39]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-n.gif){kind=small}
(153) 2005-02-17 17:19
Alfred, your pictures have brought back a lot of memories. I worked in Guatemala for 13mths a few yrs ago with the UN and this was one of my favourite places. Very tipical scene, and you are right... the natives do not like to have their picture taken. Did you ever asked why?.... I did and this is what they told me. They believe that when you take a picture without their consent you are stealing their life and or spirit as you would take part of them away. Guatemala is quite fascinating, and explendid as you portrait documents it with the vivid huipil colours the natives wear. Great pic. Thanks
sohrab
(7423) 2005-02-18 1:55
wow alfred this is really good
the building doesn't really fit in this place , don't you think???
i'm in no way suggesting that you shouldn't have got it, i like the inclusion here because there seems to be so much of a contrast. it's posh, bland, lifeless...
aaah i just read that no photographs allowed
you've done a very good job i think considering that it was taken from your stomach.
infact i couldn't imagine a better "normal" photogrpah
take care:)
avis2avis
(4244) 2005-04-25 9:32
Had I not read your note, I would go on to say you framed this really well and the inclusion of the building this way really adds to the shot and I especially like the way the clouds mix with the smoke and all the color in the foreground. But since you have confessed this was a blind shot, I can only say you really got lucky with this one. ;) What a pity that pics are officially not allowed here. But why?
futureuniverse (136) 2006-04-05 10:38
very very excellence photo!
i haven't anythink to say...just perfect!
very thanks for sharing
regards
bombilla
(3402) 2006-04-05 13:57
It's a nice photo, but since "no pictures are allowed" you are disrespecting these people. One commentator above asks "Why?" The answer is that many Maya consider it to be an assault to have their picture taken -- especially in and around places of worship. Some -- especially the younger generation -- have come to accept photography as part of the modern world, but many don't. In any case, you should always ask if in doubt. And if you can't ask, don't shoot. If you spent time in Guatemala and didn't learn that, you spent too much time with your head behind your camera and not enough learning about the cultural norms. To surreptitiously take pictures of people who are offended by the act is nothing to be proud of -- no matter how good the shot, imho.
coco
(28066) 2007-03-14 12:55
Hi Alfred.
Complex and amazing. One the best photos that lately I've seen in TE.
And... great technique with the camera hooked up over the neck.
Regards.
bigboroboy
(1009) 2007-07-31 23:28
This photo wouldn't look out of place in National Geographic. The composition is excellent with the focus on thos girls down front. This is wonderful photo - one of the most evocotive in your gallery I think. Excellent.
PHIL
agrin
(108) 2007-10-15 23:27
I am impressed by the photo, but bombilla's comment (2006-04-05) certainly raises an important issue. I might be inclined to split the difference. ie. take the photo from the waist, but not share it with the world.
- Alan
trips
(1537) 2007-10-23 2:43
Hello Alfred,
The title is very good: there is a lot of atmosphere in this image!
Well done.
Regards,
Pedro
noborders
(14201) 2008-08-27 0:37
Formidable photo, la lumière est simplement miraculeuse, l'atmosphère divine, une ascension vers les nuages - et déjà dans les nuages avec la fumée !
(...mais comme "canoniste", je trouve que les couleurs manquent un peu de saturation - un détail face à ce chef d'oeuvre).
Bravo,
Cath.
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Alfred Wilms (Praetzer)
(1657)
- Genre: Pessoas
- Medium: Cor
- Date Taken: 1993-08-00
- Categories: Vida Diária
- Camera: Nikon 801s, 24 F2.8 Nikon, Fuji Velvia
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original, Workshop
- Tema(s): Guatemala colors [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2005-02-08 17:39
- Favoritos: 3 [ver]
Discussions
- Para DAM: Yes - I Did (1)
by Praetzer, last updated 02-17 17:25 - Para bboss: When? (2)
by Praetzer, last updated 02-11 06:04 - Para alainh: l'entrée principale (1)
by Praetzer, last updated 02-09 09:53 - Para andrenuage: Workshop is now online (1)
by Praetzer, last updated 02-09 05:59 - Para kabe: thanks for your comments (1)
by Praetzer, last updated 02-09 05:58
