Three Pagodas in Dali Photo

Photographer’s Note

The distortion here is due to 2 factors: 1/ the 28 mm lens, & 2/ the fact that this area is prone to earthquakes, & 1 or more of these towers are already on a distinct 'lean'. The snowcapped Cangshan in the background, are 4,000 metres above sea level. The town of Dali (including the pagodas seen here), is about 2,000 metres above sea level.

"The main pagoda, which was constructed around 824-840 A.D. in the Tang Dynasty, is 69.13 meters (230 feet) high, and supposed to be one of the highest pagodas in China’s history."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Pagodas

ALIRIZA, pastadog, feather, sam224, efigesta, spence, HOBO, pablominto, macondo, Xalkida, Jeppe, weswang, gren4, jhm, babri, postvikram, devimeuxbe, PixelTerror has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bantonbuju (48706) 2006-04-15 4:06

hi chris,
what a fantastic example of oriental architecture, really something that is worth being a te member and being able to see, i am fascinated by the buildings,
distortion is quite obvious for this type of lense so we have to accept as it is, but it is compensated by the rewarding place and colours;
have a good easter weekend,
jerzy

ALIRIZA (16197) 2006-04-15 4:10

Hello Chris,
Nice shot.Point of view, depth of field, colors, framing and lighting are very well. Congratulations...
Ali Rıza

pastadog (12821) 2006-04-15 4:18

Hi Chris, it's a fantastic shot, beautiful compo and pretty symmetry; POV superbly chosen; I wasn't aware of this place, thanks for sharing! Daniel

feather (49868) 2006-04-15 4:34

Distortion or not you have achieved wonderful symmetry. Your POV has emphasised the height of the pagodas. I don't think I have seen one with such a modern design before. The mountains form an excellent backdrop.
Kath

sam224 (5851) 2006-04-15 4:53

Great composition here.. The majesty of these buildings is stunning. Great contrast with the blue sky. Nice POV and definition.
Good job!

efigesta (12181) 2006-04-15 5:01

Hi my friend
great shot and a great example of oriental art, the colors so perfect and a great pov
regards
manuel

spence (1679) 2006-04-15 5:44

Super shot, Chris - wonderful light and a beautifully balanced composition. Colours and sharpness are spot on. The pagodas are quite lovely.

nwoehnl (120) 2006-04-15 5:50

Hi Chris. Wow, on the thumbnail it looked like giant corncobs ;) Interesting upward capture of these structures in which the wide-angle lens works well and I'm glad you didn't try any maniacal correction of perspective. The colorful scenic surroundings and good light help to strengthen this one. Greetings from Hiroshima.

Gerrit (35861) 2006-04-15 5:59

Hi Chris,
great composition. Terriffic place.
Thanks annd regards, Gerrit

magdaj (1111) 2006-04-15 7:49

Hello Chris:)
Wonderful place. I would love to go there.
Perfect colors & compositions.
Regards & smiles.
Magda

carper (65106) 2006-04-15 8:00

nice photo, chris,
an unusual view, with a low horizon, I like the pov and the details, very nice job.
gr. jaap

HOBO (5244) 2006-04-15 8:05

Guten Tag Chris,
fascinating and for our eyes strange architeture caught in front of a great mountain scenery.
Thanks for the note.
Happy Easter
Knut

pablominto (40876) 2006-04-15 8:17

Hello Chris,
A great composition, where the background with the majestic mountains is as impressive as the leaning pagodas..!
Great colours and the most amazing sky with very pleasant white fluffy clouds!
Regards,
Pablo -

macondo (13141) 2006-04-15 10:13

Extremely interesting shot and notes as usual, Chris. The buildings and the mountains go well together, perhaps the one inspired the other long ago.
Andrew

Jeppe (18623) 2006-04-15 16:10

Hi Chris

Also a good angle you choosen for this impressive sight - Its hard to believe how those towers can still be standing with such a tilt.

Jeppe

Xalkida (11740) 2006-04-15 16:16

Hi Chris

Interesting composition. The distortion is somewhat wired but I think it's interesting. Great colors and very nice. The lighting is harsh but nice.

weswang (18223) 2006-04-15 19:52

Hi Chris, I like your symmetric composition to this picture. Good sharpness and excellent contrast against the beautiful blue sky. Well done.

gren4 (603) 2006-04-15 20:30

I like the strong blue in this one giving an attractive and eyecatching photo with a strong contrast .I'm not sure how I would crop this one,maybe rain in the symetry a little on the lhs

jhm (82759) 2006-04-16 5:10

Hi Chris,
Happy Easter!
Three Pagodas in Dali with a very lovely background too! Very sharp and clarity picture, it's always a discussion perspective make, yes or not!
But I like this image.
Best regards,
John

LCannon (2776) 2006-04-16 5:53

I love the perspective here you've captured, the architecture is amazing, and highlighted so well against that bright blue background, well done.

postvikram (1199) 2006-04-16 20:33

Hi Chris,
Beautifully captured.Good colors and clarity.Nice POV.
The structures look really unique.
The distortion actually looks artistic.

Vikram

Angshu (33815) 2006-04-17 4:43

Namaste Chris
What a supe shot you've posted here. The amazing shaped pagoda, the crystal clear blue sky is awesome...
Thanks for sharing this amazing shot
Regards
Angshu

devimeuxbe (55930) 2006-04-17 4:56

Hi Chris
I like this beautifull picture. I have never seen such a pagoda. The POV is impressive
Beautifull colors.
Thanks
Bertrand

capthaddock (28640) 2006-04-18 10:41

Hi Chris - the distortion has an interesting effect here, as it gives the illusion of the 3 pagodas converging in a triangle, nice deep colours. I had stayed at the little hotel behind this comples, teh San Tai Yuan or something like that, and had free entry to the grounds in the mornmings.

PixelTerror (86282) 2006-04-20 6:26

Hi Chris,
This pagoda is fairly impressive and I find the distortion not that bad here helping the two side pagodas point to the main subject, the way it stands out against the deep blue sky is also very nice. very good scan this one.
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

muadibe (144) 2006-04-21 18:32

Really impressive. Extra point because of equipment (i mean analog reflex camera)

Regards,
Adrian

everlasting (10918) 2006-06-07 13:15

Yes, they told me that behind that black monsoon clouds were beautiful snow-capped mountains............
Well chosen POV to create this wonderful symmetry. The blue sky and the mountains form an excellent backdrop for you.