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I posted images of novice monks in Myanmar fairly recently here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1704190. As I described there, those young monks still had the chance to go back to secular life after a few years. But after reaching a certain time, they are committed to remain monks for life. In my visit to this country I also had a chance to meet and took pictures of a few seasoned monks.
I was strolling in a monastery of Yaungshwee in the afternoon. When I walked by a small building to the side of the main structure. The door was open and I saw a few women that sat inside on the floor. I approached the door and using signs, those women invited me in. I saw an old monk in front of them and he was talking in a barely audible voice. There was an older person in the front and it looked like he was helping the old monk. It looked like the old monk was giving an unofficial "sermon". I sat there for awhile and I asked politely, again using my sign language whether I could take a few shots of the old monk. They nodded. One thing led to the other, I was able to see the very modest living quarter of the old monk, which was just behind the curtain where he was sitting. He even posed for me. But somehow, I ended up taking just a few images of him out of respect. I showed my appreciation and I bowed to him, and I said goodbye to the rest of the people. The first image is that of that old monk.
The most beautiful temple in Myanmar is Shwedagon in Yangon. While I was there though, it was in the process of being renovated and there was scaffolding in the front of the famous golden pagoda. I tried to make the best out of the situation by using reflection. Luckily some monks do wear glasses and shades . And they also asked younger monks, maybe their assistant, to take their pictures.
The last image is of an adult monk that walked inside a long corridor to the monastery. There was a drunken guy that passed out there. It was fairly early in the morning and the monk just came back from his alms round.
Thank you for stopping by and please feel free to leave any feedback,
Joshua
Just beautiful Joshua! A real personal look into a society where the absence of the amenities of life are real! Love how you got the reflections crisp in the sunglasses.
Well done as always Joshua!
Dan
Danpbphoto wrote:
Just beautiful Joshua! A real personal look into a society where the absence of the amenities of life are real! Love how you got the reflections crisp in the sunglasses.
Well done as always Joshua!
Dan
I greatly appreciate your kind words, Dan! I am glad that you like the images.
dawnkyung wrote:
I love these, Joshua! So sharp and well composed. Amazing to get such a glimpse into another part of the world. Thank you for sharing with us!
Such a telling set Joshua. So much in each photo from the life lines in the older monks face to the young monks with the cell phone and iPad ! 1, 6 and 7 are my favorites of this most enjoyable set. You do have a great talent for capturing so much in these types of portraits.
bobbytan wrote:
Interesting set! My pick is the last image.
Thank you very much, Bobby!
birdied wrote:
Such a telling set Joshua. So much in each photo from the life lines in the older monks face to the young monks with the cell phone and iPad ! 1, 6 and 7 are my favorites of this most enjoyable set. You do have a great talent for capturing so much in these types of portraits.
Birdie
Birdie, thank you very much for your kind words. I am glad and flattered that you like the images.
kmunroe wrote:
nicely done Joshua .. the first is my favourite
Thank you very much, Kenny!
J. Pow wrote:
Those are stellar Joshua! I really like number 3 as you cannot tell the renovation to Shwedagon is going on. Again very nice!
Lovely set of portraits of monks in Yangon, Joshua! It is an amazing glimpse of a very different lifestyle to anything that most of us in the US know about. We visited Burma 8 years ago, and your photos bring back great memories.
. And they also asked younger monks, maybe their assistant, to take their pictures.
