Purely taken as an Artistic Expression - no religious inference.

This Indian devotee is doing penance to the Indian gods for granting

him his wish during the holy festival of Thaipusam.

Very nice focus but perhaps, metallic parts should have been more focused and darkness in the bottom should have been remoted.

Background is well blurred and man standing position is fine. He seems thinkative.

Very nice picture !

i agree with the choice of focus here, the frame is a matter of taste, like the overall composition..regards

Supereb details, great crop & point of the view, very interesting captured Alec!!! Best regards.

Richard, Simon, thanks for coming. Charles, I focused on the devotee's face this time as I wanted to portray his commitment to his faith. Attached is a clearer image of the metal hooks and you can see from the grafted skin he has been through a terrible accident before. Perhaps that's the reason for his penance to the Gods.

To be honest,Alec, though the image is techinaly perfect, it is repulsive to me.

I'm surprised Sircar, isn't it a common sight in India since it probably originate from the idol worshippers there?

 

I look at it with respect and more as an expression of their faith - be it Buddhist, Christian, Muslim or any other religions, paying penance is also a common practice.

outstanding and most informative documentary portrait, alec.

Hi Alec, although it doesn't repulse me like it does Amalji, it is not necessary a "common" sight in the subcontinent. People do it of course, but I have actually not seen it during my various visits to India. Of course Amalji, who lives there could speak more to whether it is more "common".

Comon or not Alec, and even be it part of a culture, it is still a hard sight for a western " stomach...( and even for Amal).

 

From a photographic point of view it is a documentation and well presented. Pnina

No Alec, this is not a common sight in India. Ofcourse, worshippers of Murugaon do practice penance in this way, be it in South India,Singapore and Malaysia, but the fact is it hurts the onlookers more.I am not commenting on the justification of any religious practice. I only expressed my own feelings.

Thank you Amar, Pnina, Sircar for commenting on this sensitive issue.

 

Sircar, like I mention in my other image I look at their faces - they are in a trance and you are right it doesn't hurt them - it hurts us more looking at them but I respect them for their beliefs and as a photographer I document it here.

 

Isn't it more of an ordeal to witness those in the Philippines who act out the crusifixion of Christ every year or the Chinese mediums who cut and flog themselves - bleeding profusely? Look at "Ripleys Believe it or Not" and illusionary magicians in America today. I have seen TV documentaries of similar themes but on a more inhumane level. The point I am leading to is - respect them but we don't have to look or follow, the choice is ours.

 

 

Un bello retrato, algo impactante, color y testura perfecta, saludos Alec.

Wow, this is certainly an attention grabber, and thought provoking. I do so very much like the portrait. While it's a difficult image to look at, it's also one that is difficult not to look at. It stretches my comprehension abilities... almost to the breaking point.

Excellent image Alec. Congratulation you have the courage to display images that may be disturbing for somebody.

Alec, I agree with you entirely.

Excellent work, Alec. This is a festival I've always wanted to see, but so far I've yet to have the chance.

 

For those that are interested, here's a link to one of the Chinese mediums covered in blood that Alec mentioned. Chinese medium

Chaba, Brake, Julio, Sircar thanks.

 

Thanks Craig, you made my point very clearly. ^_^

 

I find all your portraits to be very strong, Alec, and this is no exception; I seldom comment because I have nothing to add that would help you in any way. This one, like the others, is well lit and well composed, and tells the story very well. Congratulations.

Thanks Richard, point taken.

I actuall thought of going out for some Thaipusam shots but don't think I can bear the sight so give up. Though this is a yearly rituals commonly seen here, I still feel pain for them, though they can't feel it. A very good documentary close up. Alec, & focus on the facial expression, instead of the spikes is good choice.

Strong image Alec! Very good.

it is so good, that is becomes dificult to keep the eyes glued on the shot

would have been difficult for me to see it too... if I hadn't seen enough shows of such theme on TV. so guys, who find it painful or hard to look at these shots, you need to spend more quality time with your TV :) nice shot Alec. try a b&W version please

So, after explanations, I understand the way you focus on the face and not on metallic parts. This conversation in here is interresting too.

Nice day to all of you, bye.