- Bagan Temple with Monk and Umbrella
This was a shot set up by Win (http://asiaphototravel.com/).
Win would go to the local monastery where he was well known and get a few boy novitiates to pose for us. He knew the boys. They had lovely faces and knew what Win would need in a photo shoot.
Win would set up the photo and then we would take our shot. We could give instructions, via Win, to the boys if we wished. Here, I didn’t ask anything of the boy, but now I wish I had either asked him to walk in a more centered line toward the tip of the temple or maybe I could have moved my tripod. Also, I could have shot from a lower viewpoint.
I know excuses are boring, but I hate to get on my haunches as then the camera that I am not using must be protected from falling from my lap to the ground. It gets awkward. (I use two Black Rapid straps, modified with home made safety straps.) The one thing I can say is that this arrangement diminishes the pressure on my neck and it is easier to use either camera. But , it isn’t a perfect set up by a long shot.
OK, back to the photo. When I got home and looked at the shot on my computer, I realized that my temple was off-center and my monk was wandering to the left. I fixed the temple with liquify, but the monk should be centered. At least that’s what I am thinking today. Maybe next year, I’ll think differently.
Here’s what I’ve learned. Always take advantage of your grid. Maybe centered is the best or maybe it isn’t, but if you take several viewpoints, you can choose after the fact. I didn’t get any shots that were centered and I wish I did, but it’s way too late now.