Sacred Stones & Lei

[ShaneS]

It must be Sunday as I am finding another sliver of time to catch up on my post processing of some shots from late last year as well as lurking about at what has been going on around here...

This trio of images were shot at a local heiau (temple or sacred space). In this case the heiau is a humble collection of stones in an area surrounded by a crumbling rock wall on a bluff above the ocean. These images reflect the tradition of never throwing a lei away and leaving at a place of significance so that it may return to nature.

Any and all C&C would be appreciated. Individual composition and conversion as well as your overall impression of the trio as a set would be appreciated.

#1 - A shell lei



#2 - I suspect this is not a lei but part of a traditional Hawaiian skirt that is draped across the rock and I will continue to research this before committing one way or another.



#3 - An orchid lei



Thanks in advance!

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Shane,

I don't understand the tradition, but I think you have done a great job of capturing the images; I like the way you have found complementary lines or features in the backgrounds of each for the main subject - well done.

They are also well exposed, converted and have good use of Depth of Field and distance shading.

The only minor suggestion I have is in respect of #3 - and that would be that if mine, I would clone out the brightest blade of grass in the lower left corner, I just find it pulls my eye down there too often.

Hope that thought (and other feedback) is useful, Dave

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[dem]

Interesting series, thanks for sharing. I really like the composition in #2. You can see a person in the stone with the grassy thingy working as a dress

[Geoff F]

Good compositions and the textures are coming across well.

[Mike Buckley]

Completely agreed with Dave.

The only other thing I can suggest is to consider presenting the first image as the second image. Having done that, the two "bookend" images display the ocean. However, it seems that you decided upon the order of presentation based on the characteristics of the rock formations. It's very possible that those considerations are more important than the display of the ocean.

[Wavelength]

very nice; has it any connection with Hindu faith?

[ShaneS]

Thank you everyone! I was worried that the first in the series might be a bit "crunchy" and dark. Specific responses to you comments below...

Dave, that pesky branch or twig was bothering me a bit too so now you have confirmed that it must be darkened, at least, or removed all together.

Dem...now I can't unsee the person But, I see two rather evil looking eyes on either side of the grass covering the nose!

Mile, you are correct that I chose the order based on the positioning of the rocks. I am tempted to try and print these and decide on the final order once they are on paper.

Nandakumar, I am not that familiar with the Hindu faith but the Hawaiian spiritual beliefs revere Gods associated with nature (the one that first comes to mind is Pele (fire/volcaloes) and that theses Gods can take the form of animals or plants). Is this similar?

My first inclination was to create these images in color but my family was here on vacation and we were at this location mid-day. Further, they were ready to go when I captured these and there were more of them than me so off we went. Alas, black & white it is as the processing of them in color was giving me fits!

[Wavelength]

Hinduism has such faiths, where in God can incarnate in animal forms with purpose of protecting Universe; offering flower garlands is very common

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashavatara

[IzzieK]

Interesting captures, Shane...sorry to be late here, you have already said your thank yous to everyone before me...but I find #2 here to be very nice, especially the shapes of those plants at the base of the rock and the little rock balancing on top of the big one. I like the conversion too. .. and the story of the leis not to be thrown. Different culture beliefs, nice to know as it is not as harsh...compared to the movie we saw last night that gave me the jibbers and nightmares hence I am awake early .

[ShaneS]

Thank you Izzie! It's never too late for kind words