Prayers - Atsuta Shrine

[Manfred M]

This shot shows some of the most sacred areas of the Atsuta Shrine. This part of the shrine is only opened to the public on very special occasions. I wanted to take a picture of those areas, but being a very major Shinto shrine, there were always some people praying at this spot.

I lined up a very symmetrical shot of the building structure and then waited until a group of people were facing the sacred buildings were in prayer. I normally do not like images where we see the backs of people, but I think it works well here. The almost perfect symmetry of the building contrasts these anonymous people positioned asymmetrically.

[JamesScott86]

Fantastic shot!!! Really nice!

[IzzieK]

To what are they praying for there? just curious...I agree with you about people praying position. I reckon it depends on the location..

[RBSinTo]

This shot shows some of the most sacred areas of the Atsuta Shrine. This part of the shrine is only opened to the public on very special occasions. I wanted to take a picture of those areas, but being a very major Shinto shrine, there were always some people praying at this spot.

I lined up a very symmetrical shot of the building structure and then waited until a group of people were facing the sacred buildings were in prayer. I normally do not like images where we see the backs of people, but I think it works well here. The almost perfect symmetry of the building contrasts these anonymous people positioned asymmetrically.

Manfred,
I think this image works well compositionally as you explained, and to that end, I like it.
But, in my opinion, as a story-telling photograph of a sacred shrine, it does not.
I know nothing more about the shrine after viewing this image than I did before.
I would have preferred that you go up to the fence and shoot over it so we could see the shrine itself.
Robert