The Largest Wooden Structure, a photo from Nara, Kinki

Photographer's Note

The following is copied from this Todaiji Temple handout:
Todaiji Temple was built in the Nara period (710-794AD) at the behest of Emperor Shomu (r.724-749). The temple was officially positioned as one of the many state-established provincial temples. However, since the chief object of worship of the temple is Variocana Buddha ("Buddha that shines throughout the world like the sun"), a magnificent temple was built to reflect this importance.
... ...
The Great Buddha Hall was burned in the fires of was in 1180 and 1567, and the current building is actually the third generation structure, which was built in the Edo period (1615-1867). The width of the current building is approximately 33% smaller than that of the original structure, but it is still ranks as the largest wooden structure in the world.

Great Buddha Hall is listed as Japanese national treasure (width -- 57.01m; depth—50.48m; height – 48.74m)
The Octagonal Lantern at the front of the Hall is listed as Japanese national treasure as well (height 4.62m)

carper, mrcrow, Fixfocus, nwoehnl, Tue, pitai, singuanti, PJE, sergio1, Wirraway, feather, apache, jhm, papagolf21, alvaraalto, john_c, Emile, ChrisJ, aloyho, jrj, berek, MLINES, axiotea has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

carper (96) 2006-02-23 12:52

very nice one Wes,
the bright in the shot is vewry nice follow the lines, a very good perspective, good details and a very fine composition, very good job wes.
gr. jaap

mrcrow (3993) 2006-02-23 13:08

good capture..i would get the tree out of the shot next time...:|..and the lamp posts...if possible..
timeless cultural shot
the note is exemplary

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Fixfocus (9385) 2006-02-23 13:44

Hi Wes,
Nice central view on this impressive temple.The soft light without any harsh contrasts makes the details very good visible.
Greetings,
Hermann

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Cricri (176) 2006-02-23 14:44

Hi Wes,
Une vue superbe de ce grand temple, légére lumiére
ou l'on peut apprécier la structure et ses jolis détails, magnifique image
Amitiés
cricri

nwoehnl (122) 2006-02-23 14:52

A solid, well-executed presentation of this Nara temple, Wes. Good inclusion of the foreground lines converging towards the main subject (the effect could be even enhanced by a lower shooting angle and/or including a bit more foreground). The contrasts are quite good and the inclusion of people is always welcome for color and scale.

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Tue (92312) 2006-02-23 14:56

Hej Wes,
Great shot of this impressive temple building! The perspective of the path leads the eye nicely towards the building. Very good view, well done!
Hilsner,
Lars

Kenny10pin (19301) 2006-02-23 20:17

nice capture here, I can tell you it looks better with the blossoms and the autumn leaves, good one

pitai (3985) 2006-02-23 21:14

Hi Wes... another fabulous perspective.... the setting is beautiful. The angle you used really highlights all the magnificence of this building. nice colors and dof. tfs, gabriel

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singuanti (15250) 2006-02-23 22:15

Hi Wes. This is great with the lead-in and the people. Also the tree helps liven the composition up. That architecture is beautiful. We can get a good feel for how large it is with the people there for reference. Good one Mr. Wes!

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PJE (20758) 2006-02-23 22:15

Well Wes this is another good travelogue photo of Japan! I like how you balanced the walkway in the frame along with the tree on the left and woods on the right. Nicely done. Lots of interesting details to see here. Thanks for sharing Wes!

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cessy (13647) 2006-02-24 2:25

very nice capture of the temple, Wes
excellent contrast and sharpness
it looks huge

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sergio1 (12152) 2006-02-24 5:08

Hi Wes
Interesting Temple, really is very very beautiful. Compo and pov good.
Well done.
Sergio

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Wirraway (1985) 2006-02-24 6:28

Well executed landscape Wes, great looking structure and well informed note, good stuff.

Regards Ian
Townsville,Nth Queensland

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Graal (103040) 2006-02-24 8:29

Hi Wes,
very nice Japanese architecture, nice wooden pagoda. Good quality of picture. Well done and interesting note.
Rgs, Aleksander

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feather (51130) 2006-02-24 9:02

The size of the people compared with the building really show the size of this temple. It looks incredible. Well composed using teh walkway to lead us in.
Kath

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apache (1426) 2006-02-24 10:02

Hi Wes,
Wonderful shot. Brings out the size of the temple by the way the people are shown inthe frame. A real imposing structure taken very well.
Nice sharpness
Ranjith

jhm (211736) 2006-02-24 13:35

Hi Wes,
Splendid east architecture picture, a total other culture of here in west. You bring these very nice and show us excellent with great depth, you did good with adding the people so we can see the scale between the gigantic building and the people.
Have a nice weekend,
John.

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papagolf21 (152607) 2006-02-24 17:24

Bonsoir mon ami Wes,
Je reste toujours admiratif devant ces architectures venant d'Asie. Il y a une sorte de mystérieuse beauté qui se dégage de ce temple.
La présence de personnages dans la composition donne bien l'importance de ce temple.
Très belle réalisation et note particulièrement intéressante et très documentée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

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Jeppe (18654) 2006-02-24 18:10

Very impressive view indeed - specially with people in front to give us the true sizes as well - I like the perspective of the road as well leading the eyes toward the temple - thanks Wes for sharing.

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alvaraalto (42804) 2006-02-24 18:13

Hi Wes,
I totally agree with the critique of Lars this time. But he should have mentioned the golden horns on the top of the roof. They led the eye to the top of the building.
Groet Rob

john_c (24666) 2006-02-25 11:41

Hi Wes,
A clear crisp shot of this fine temple. Your POV is superb, and I like how the people in the scene give a good sense of proportion and depth. I also like the symmetry, with each side of the foreground balancing the other. You subtly managed to place the temple off centre, to good effect. A very fine capture, Wes, with an educational note.
John

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Emile (20352) 2006-02-25 17:16

Impressive temple Wes, nicely captured, very good enquadrement with great details and sharpness. Love the way you captured the surroundings. Good POV. Colors and composition are very good too, well done and TFS.

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huynt (5081) 2006-02-26 0:32

hi Wes
A beautiful shot of Japan. I like this architure. well done. Enjoy sunday. Huy

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aloyho (6798) 2006-02-26 8:36

Hi Wes,
You are at the right position for this shot as we are drawn in to the majestic building. I find the tree to the left as helpful in supporting the large building. Nice lighting management and good clarity. Well done!! Have a pleasant weekend.

Galmeida (12559) 2006-02-26 13:28

Hi Wes,
Splendid perspective and angle approach in this nice temple in a panoramic view in a open space. Great and a good capture of the buiding and the external surroundings so nicely framed. Good colors, weather mood, contrast and also a fine sharpenss. Very well seen and done. My congratulations to your nice work and other critique to you next one.

Best regards and thanks for sharing your excelent posts.

Fernando

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rabdelnoor (3423) 2006-02-26 21:03

Hi Wes,
Great capture of this beautiful temple. Great light and sharpness and superb colours. A really impressive shot.
Take care,
Ricardo

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ChrisJ (171818) 2006-02-27 3:44

Hi Wes

Fantastic linear perspective & a good sharp shot of this stylish & elegant Oriental Temple. Good sharpness & contrast. I like the 2 'gold horns' against the blue sky. Tfs!

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jrj (34843) 2006-02-27 9:30

Interesting shot of the fine building as seen with your notes. Good capture with a fine lead up to the building.

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berek (50518) 2006-02-28 4:40

Hi Wes,
incredible architecture. long and wide roat ended beautiful temple. the perspective is very successful. have a nice day.
B.Erek
Meaning(Sense) :10,Framing:10,Idea :10

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cam (9043) 2006-02-28 16:05

Hi Wes
I like this slighly off centered view of this building that makes me think of a giant insect.
Imposing in size and in style.
I see that you had a sunny day for this one
Take care

mumek (20226) 2006-03-04 9:04

Good evening Wes!
Very nice capture of the Todaiji Temple. Interesting architecural details, good composition and natural colors. Your note as usual very informative.Thanks for sharing
best regards
ziggy

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plimrn (21344) 2006-03-26 12:36

Hi Wes,
There is little I can add to your excellent reviews above.
I first read your note and found it very interesting and informative. Like ChrisJ, the first thing I noticed was the detail of the golden horns against the sky. Then as many commented, your POV with the broad walkway and the small people emphasized the grandeur of this temple.
TFS, Pat

MLINES (12516) 2006-06-08 6:23

Hi Wes, Japan has many interesting places to visit and this certainly is one which looks well worth a visit. Good clarity and colours with an excellent note. TFS. Murray.

axiotea (21651) 2006-06-18 23:32

Hi Wes,
What a beautiful and majestic temple!It is a fine compo with good POV, details and nice soft colors...
Have a nice day,
Marilyn