Solaris Photographia
Calligraphers
Posted by Brian (West Lafayette, United States) on 4 September 2007 in People & Portrait.
Two women try their hand at Chinese calligraphy at our local Globalfest. These women had trememdous grace and serenity. I've tried to capture that in this image.
Lost Valley from British Columbia, Canada
I think you captured not only their grace and serenity but the way the human spirit is respectful for eachother in a culturally diverse world in which we live. I wonder what words they were trying to write? I do like the deep concentration on their faces trying to master this skill! Good framing of the two women with the light behind them and the vibrant colors!
4 Sep 2007 5:25am
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
You've captured a lovely and precious moment Brian, good for you!
4 Sep 2007 8:52am
annora from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
the pic is so cool.mainly because its something you would hardly see.and you have helped us see that moment too.=)
4 Sep 2007 10:46am
Amir from X, United States
These are Muslim woman probably from north Africa or countries from south of Persian Gulf, and they are learning Chinese, that is amazing.
Very beautiful indeed Brian.
4 Sep 2007 1:44pm
Brian from United States
Amir--I love the Globalfest b/c it offers so many chances to see amazing things! I have one or two more pix from that event that I'll post in the coming days. LV--I wish I knew what the symbols were--perhaps someone who knows Chinese can comment? Annora and Lorraine--thank you for the supportive comments!
4 Sep 2007 2:07pm
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
This is such a beautiful moment you've captured here, Brian. Beauty in humanity, beauty in culture, beauty of one human being being so able and willing to appreciate the culture and language of another, beauty in the human endeavour ever to keep learning....
i'm so sorry to say my chinese vocabulary is so woefully deficient and still in need of much improvement (!), but i think the characters they're writing are :
- "san" (three)
- "liu" (six)
- "gan" (dry)
Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Brian...It is truly priceless..
4 Sep 2007 2:17pm
Rabbit from Richmond, United States
Truly wonderful capture of people in a working process of something so elegant.
4 Sep 2007 2:29pm
Janice Thomson from Courtenay BC, Canada
What a rare moment of beauty of the human spirit...kudos Brian for this delightful capture.
4 Sep 2007 3:17pm
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
A very nicely composed portrait, set in a quietly thoughtful mood.
4 Sep 2007 3:36pm
Brian from United States
Rebecca--no apologies needed--your Chinese is much better than mine! It was indeed a beautiful moment and I had one chance to capture it. I was so delighted with the preview on the camera--it was truly more luck than composition! Janice--as always, thanks for your thoughts and your own lovely blog. Viewfinder--I appreciate you input--and good luck on that new camera! Tago--thank you, too!
4 Sep 2007 3:56pm
yiannis krikis from thessaloniki, Greece
Very nice image - the colors age very good
4 Sep 2007 5:20pm
tengtan from Melbourne, Australia
You've certainly succeeded in capturing the graceful qualities in this candid image. Interesting to note women in hijab learning Chinese calligraphy.
4 Sep 2007 10:25pm
Dave MacIntyre from Toronto, Canada
You succeeded in capturing the grace you describe. Well done!
5 Sep 2007 4:49am
DeadPixel from Tehran, Iran
You have said what you mean to.
Faster shutter speed would be better. But already a nice shot.
8 Sep 2007 5:10am
Canon EOS REBEL XTi
1/50 second
F/5.6
ISO 200
49 mm