pnital 36 Posted August 28, 2010 It is the last 3 photos that are closing an unusual event. Please read (if you did not until now.)http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=11417670The tradition in all 3 of them ,is years upon years old. The mother accompanying her daughter to the ceremony under the canopy ( chupa in Hebrew ) that takes place under the open sky.Thanks for viewing. Link to comment
aarkp 2 Posted August 28, 2010 a poignant moment... i like the pov and the warmth in this photograph Link to comment
amalsircar 2 Posted August 28, 2010 Pnina, what attracts me most is the composition and contrast.Very good exposure, DOF and use of light .You have enlightened us about the tradition and custom of your ancient land. Link to comment
Donna Stavis 0 Posted August 28, 2010 While the supportive older woman (mother?) prepares the bride (her daughter), there is a contrast here to the photo of the groom being led to the chuppah. The diagonal light falling across the woman's face illuminates a serious focus -- presumably reading psalms -- to the comfort of guidance. Her grasp on the bride though supportive -- because of the uncomfortable position of the bride's arm -- seems on the verge of forceful. It is the way she grasps, the veil over the bride's face (completing a suggestion she is partly bound and without power, being led by another). There is a feeling of unease. The lighting lends this an enormous feel of intimacy. Link to comment
adan1 0 Posted August 29, 2010 The candle and the hand holding the arm are very strong visual symbols suggesting guidance and safety. These captures are quite intriguing and revealing of customs that for most of us are very alien. Link to comment
pnital 36 Posted August 29, 2010 Rajat, thanks, it is a very poignant moment, as it is the highlight of the ceremony leading the bride to the unification with the groom. Amal, It was the first time I have participated at an ultra religious wedding, and it was really educational and very exciting. Donna, yes, it is the mother guiding her daughter to the chuppah ,after her head was covered with the bridal veil, she needed the hold and guided hand of her mother as it was a distance from the room of welcoming till the canopy in the yard outside( steps too) .It was a slow solemn walk, with the candle lighting the way, and the mother's hold of confidence. I understand that it looks at the edge of force, but it was a strong help for the bride to walk safely .I think it was a very strong intimate moment between mother and daughter. Adan, you have well interpreted the scene. Thanks. I'm glad to see you here. I hope you are well. Link to comment
richard hans 0 Posted August 29, 2010 Fantastic balance on exposure between dark & light, great DOF & details, perfect lighting, nice warm tones & cropping, Pnina, very well executed! Best regards Link to comment
jmcconnell2 0 Posted August 30, 2010 The shadows on the woman`s face are perfect! Without the shadows this would not be a notable picture, with the shadows this photo is Alive! This is one of your best Pnina, your friend Jim. Link to comment
jeffl7 0 Posted September 1, 2010 The sideways light, the veil, the darkness of the woman's dress, the tension of her hand on that slight arm....this strikes me as a bit ominous rather than joyful and comforting. Perhaps the mother figure knows that the brilliance of a wedding eventually and quickly gives way to the hard work of being married. Link to comment
pnital 36 Posted September 2, 2010 Richard, thanks for your feedback, Jim, long time, nice it see you back. Thanks Jeff, my feelings were that it was one of the very tense moments for the mother( and daughter too). It is like taking your daughter that you have raised all your life to a new way ,in her own life. I think that the mother's hold has many mixed feelings of keeping her /let her go situation. And probably the thought /worry that her new way will be successful.Thanks for writting your interesting point of view. Link to comment
Jack McRitchie 150 Posted September 2, 2010 I'm always of two minds about tradition, split right down the middle. When the understanding is there it can be quite moving but when it's simply empty form, it leaves me cold. Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted September 2, 2010 I think you've added to the moment by chopping off half the bride. That gesture (of yours) is very effective, especially with the mechanical look (which Donna has described well) of the bride's arm. The bride could almost be a mannequin, non-human. You've accentuated that with your razor-like framing. The mother is more flesh and blood. The mother's grasp doesn't feel supportive to me but rather ritualistic, emphasized by the candle which is a nice symbol. The light and texture of the veil is quite nice.What strikes me as I look through this series of photos is the utter lack of joy. I don't know if that was about your choices of what to show or more about what you had to work with. But, for me, it's palpable. Link to comment
pnital 36 Posted September 3, 2010 Jack, thanks, I think that this series has to be looked at as a whole, I have photographed the first part , it means the welcome gathering and my impressions of it, and the ceremony. There was another part after the ceremony of dance and food/refreshments,that I did not photograph Fred, thanks ,you are right that it was a serious event, I think because it is looked at, as such, in this community,especially till after the ceremony. In secular weddings it looks and done quite differently.(even though the general religious details of ceremony are about the same) As I wrote to Jeff , I think it was a very tense moment for the mother, (and bride too), especially for the mother, which for me as viewer translated to her hand touch, holding and guiding.The second part of the event in a big hall ,was separated to men and women and I did not stay. Link to comment
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