Wedding - Tradition N3

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=11417670

The tradition in all last 3  concludes the series here  but the ceremony is years upon years old.

It is another version of the ceremony under the chupa ( canopy) with the lighted candles. For me the candles light are symbolizing the blessing for the new way of life of the   married couple.( It is a sepia PP for obvious reason.)

I thank Mr. Meshi Zahave for inviting me to take part in this special event.

Thanks for viewing.

i like the pov, composition and presentation... the depth of their expressions suggests you caught a good moment

With the absence of yellow candle glow in the other frame, which revealed the warm, gentle face of the father, tentative countenance of the careful groom about to take his matrimonial wine, and inviting feel for us, the specators, of being there in the immediacy of time of this ceremony, with this new posting, there is a different feel with the tone and slightly different composition.

Here there seems less corporal warmth and more of a feeling of remove.  However, the eye of the groom captures my attention strongly as he looks to his father for instruction, and the wine takes on real ritual and serious celebratory significance.  Both bride and groom are vulnerable, and all parties are forever caught in this moment in time.  There is a solemnity here that is deeply touching; the father is gentle, guiding, imparting history and ritual, helping the groom forge a link in Jewish tradition.  The way the light falls upon the groom's forehead suggests deliberate thoughtful action (his place, his time, this creation ).  We spy just a bit of the bride under her veil -- hidden but present her costume highlighted by the bejeweled, supporting hand of the woman holding the candle, illuminating the covenant being made under the chuppah with fringes we can just see.  This scene is ritual, history  -- it's intimate and distanced but feels like we are witnessing along with many others.  It's spiritual and full of "chen"   grace.

Do you know what group of Chassidim they are ? P.S. I have a strimel I would sell if you know anyone :-)

Rajat, thanks, as I wrote the last 3 frames  are the highlights of the ceremony   very poignant moments with a long history behind.
 
Donna, thanks for a very interesting analogy between the two ceremony frames.Both are representing the event, but this one represent IMO the long long faraway  history, which unites Jews all over the world ( diaspora, and Israel too )  There are differences  in the ways of life  ,between the  streams of faith, and customs. I added the sepia tone to enhance the feeling of history and  time dimension..
 Thanks for taking the time for expressing your feelings about them , very much appreciated.
 
Meir, they are Chassidim, but I can not help you with your request, sorry.

A very strong documentary, and well captured moment. I like the centrally positioned and concentrated profile of the groom in your composition, and personally think that the slightly perceived blur, like the sepia choice for tones here, give this photo a timeless quality, imo... Congratulations on this very interesting wedding series, Pnina & best regards, Marjolein

Very nice Pnina , like the sepia tone. Works really well. Kind Regards Andrea

This photograph is a wonderful ending to your wedding series.  It portrays everything I would expect in a meaningful wedding ceremony:  the deep love a father has for his daughter, the reverence a son-in-law has acquired for his father-in-law, the sweetness of the wine, and the light - the light of love, the light of G-d.  This photograph reminds me of the saying that a candle loses none of its light by lighting another candle.

I love the composition of this photograph, especially the father's face bounded by both the cup of wine and the candle.  The fact that only one side of his face is illuminated tells me that he straddles both the past and the present, and looks to the future - all guided by tradition.

I am grateful for your sharing this series with us.  It has touched me very deeply.

My best,

michael

Chag Sameach! 

I like the mood of the traditional! And it is all over this picture including the sepia tone used! Ciao Pnina!

PDE

Marjolein, Thanks for your interest in  the series. I wanted it to be seen as a series,and chosen this one in Sepia ,and the last one, was intentional.  For me it was  conveying the timelessness of the tradition.

As in other monotheistic religions, there are different ways to celebrate the tradition (ceremony,) this is one of them that I participated for the first time.

Andrea,thanks, I'm glad you  liked  the sepia.

 Michael, what a nice point of view ! Thank you. You are close  and familiar to that tradition and details of the ceremony ,even though it can have different ways of  celebrating it, but the main procedure of Jewish traditional  marriage did not change. So I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Chag Sameach!

 Pierre and Fabrizio, thanks both of you for your nice  feedback.

The tone here are wonderful and seem to convey something of the mystery of the ceremony.

This photo touches me deeply, I've seen it some times already, and every time I've spent a lot of time with this emotional atmosphere. Maybe because I enjoy photographing weddings myself, I find this stopped moment interesting...I'm sure Pnina you make me to be a better wedding photographer with this work, thank you.

I'm glad to meet you and read your  very nice and touching comments, It was  nice to read your impressions and if it helps you it is  wonderful.I'm not a wedding photographer and it was a special occasion. I will do a real travel in your  work and write you my impressions,Thanks so much!