HOME | DD
welder — The Offering
Published: 2003-09-08 02:53:54 +0000 UTC; Views: 2337; Favourites: 88; Downloads: 1085
Redirect to original
Description
This photograph, for me, expresses a very basic element of being human. Depending on your view, it could be somewhat sad, or somewhat beautiful... If you'll bear with me for the explanation...I was in Barcelona, looking to shoot the amazing architecture of this cathedral. My eye caught the site of this old Spanish woman, walking up to a row of candles and preparing to make an offering. It was a striking, poignant moment to me. After I took the photo, she deposited her coins in the offering box and proceeded with her short prayer.
It dawned on me that she saw this place differently than I did. I was looking at it with the eye of a photographer, impressed by its architecture and structure, awed by the design and details that human hands succeeded in constructing centuries ago. She too held the place in awe--but for her, it was a place of worship. She looked at it with reverence. It was where she came to ask something of a higher power.
This photo is not about religion. It's about a very basic part of human psychology which is common to people of all cultures or religions. It's about knowing there are things you just can't control in this world. It's about that little part in each human's mind that wishes some greater power could help. It's about hoping that you, tiny and insignificant against the backdrop of the universe, can do something to get noticed.
I suppose I came away with a lot from taking this photo. Not any sort of epiphany...just realizing this longing for help is something we each have and deal with in our own way. (Whether or not you believe there is someone or something out there to help, and how you deal with that belief, is another matter....)
Anways, sorry if I rambled too much. Thanks for looking.
Related content
Comments: 118
ah you captured the spirituality of the place... awe inspiring. . . the best.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is an amazing shot. Wow. Everything about it is just perfect.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
this photo looks so graphical
do you use any effects?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well, I use Photoshop a lot in various ways.
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
This picture was done so long ago I forgot. Probably a lot of curve adjustments, burning/dodging, contrast, toning, etc...
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Hmm like what? I mean in this picture.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
A photograph so immense really puts things in perspective.
It brings me to an old saying I once heard; "You and I are different. We are the same. You and me."
Hard to find true peace of mind, the offering one makes to the universe can easily be overlooked.
The photograph really touches on it with the scale and tone, desaturated and old, as is the world.
I enjoy the composition and its harmony, I would be knit picking if I would suggest a tilt-shift lense for such an affair.
But like all things I think the whole picture would change, making it more, "mundane" if that would be the right word.
Very stoic the woman seems, aloof and puzzled.
Well done, really got something from this work.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Your description is very interesting. Photography is about meaning / common sense.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Very impressive
I like the way you captured the height of the chapel, emphasized by the women, also the contrast and the gentle hint of sephia.
The whole piece reflect a good quietness and your words make this picture complete.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
...you, your photography, and your explanations, are all beautiful...trust me. 
Rating:
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
ehmmmm...this photo leans aprox 1/3° to the right...i would rework this ^^
great photo
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
"It's about hoping that you, tiny and insignificant against the backdrop of the universe, can do something to get noticed."
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
The large grandness of this cathedral is captured well not just by the beauty of the architecture and the size, but the scale of it when compared and contrasted to the size of this one women. Reading you description, it does make one pause and think about the size and scope of the universe. The women making an offering is just one small part of a greater universe in which the inner portion of this cathedral takes on the proportions of the universe in large and she in small.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! excellent piece of work, by the creators of this structure, and you for capturing it in such a way that makes us go " 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Excellent story...I'm glad you included the descriptiong, it adds an amount of depth to the image that could not have otherwise been achieved.
I sometimes feel strange about capturing life with a camera. It is your own view of things, but it is interpreted by many others in many other different ways. If they are included in the picture, they are adding an even different perspecitve.
Great shot, I love the angle of it. Also, the tone of the shot evokes the appropriate mood. You've captured that woman very well too...nicely done all around
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
all i have to say is this is a pure amazing shot
soooooo nice
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Beautiful work, I like the composition very much, and the sepia tone really adds to it. If I may suggest something : perhaps lightning contrats could go slightly bit lower in the upper left corner, the whites look completely washed out. But it's a great capture anyway and I love it. And your comments are so interesting (not ramblings !) ; it's all about the difference between ethics and aesthetics... Congratulations
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Awesome shot you got there. Very clear and excellent perspective. And original idea too. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This makes me excited about my upcoming trip to Europe. As a photographer, I'm as amateur as they come. I doubt any of my endeavors will come out as good as yours did, but it gives me hope. I love the shot, and the message behind it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
awesome, i love the lady. she gives you a great sense of scale.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Shots like this themselves are always great, but when you add another element to it, especially one so powerful, it becomes a wonderful photo! Nicely done!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
You captured well the feeling both in word and image, I think, that the architechs planned. The scale of the image refects the moods of those that find sollace in these halls. A knoledge that they are there for to come into touch with that something greater. When I see this I note the size of the subjects and that little twist... the light isn't shining for her, it simply falls in it's place... maybe by design?
This is really well taken.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That's a very interesting point about the light, though I must admit I didn't have much control over it. I simply saw the scene and was lucky enough to have my camera in hand to get it.
Thanks for the comment.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I like this cathedral and his architecture.And with the sunlights and the woman it gaves a wonderful atmosphere.And i like your words about your shot!GREAT!
Andy
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
very beautiful shot.And it shows another thing you mentioned in your " ramblings".The woman is so small in comparison to the cathedral....just like we're only a speck in the universe.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
wow.. this is a brilliant photo.. great gothic architecture.
i love this shot..
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This is a gorgeous shot. Highlights not only the woman, but the beauty of the cathedral
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
simply amazing.....have to go to Barchelona now....+fav
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
its just so beautiful.... and emotional.... thats the only thing i can say....
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Incredible. The detail, contrast and the emotions it evokes. Great work!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Good picture and description of it. I agree that there is really someone who have created this whole universe and us. This is good capture of beauty of old city called Barcelona.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Do not apologise for your rambling. Your words are a prompt for introspect. Photography is just one of the many outlets for our emotions and when we capture something as beautiful as you have done, it's not about the architecture it's about evoking feelings.
.....Do you think about the people who built it? Do you think about the person who designed it? Do you feel humbled by its Beauty? Are you inspired?.......
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, I'm so glad you feel so.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
A very beautiful picture, and the description just gives it that extra touch of wonderfulness.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, I'm very happy you think so.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
love the architecture in this! I just love that style of old gothic building... mmm!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
The architecture found in this image is just superb. the contrasts and toning serve for a very good feeling of grandure.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
| Next =>