N. Sukumar, APSA
October 2025 - Prayer wheels at Stakna monastery, Ladakh
About the Image(s)
Photographed with my Vivo V23e 5G phone with Center-weighted Average metering @ focal length 4mm, f/1.8, 1/100 sec. ISO: 102. Stakna Gompa is a small and secluded monastery, housing around 25 resident monks, located atop a hillock overlooking the Indus River. The name "Stakna" translates to "Tiger's Nose" and the monastery is so named because of the shape of the hillock on which it is perched. Founded in the late 16th century by Bhutanese scholar and saint, Chosje Jamyang Palkar, Stakna Gompa follows the Drukpa Kagyu tradition, one of the Red Hat sects of Tibetan Buddhism, that was introduced to Ladakh by the scholar and saint Lama Staktsang Raspa.
3 comments posted
1. I would crop out the red roof.
2. Boost clarity and contrast selectively on the embossed patterns to make the craftsmanship pop. Shooting in RAW helps to do that in post.
3.Enhance the warm tones of the wood and consider subtle vignette to draw the eye inward.
4. In this scenario, as per conventional thinking taking photographs without any specialized lens , it seems to me that I have two options...
a) Use a shallow depth of field (e.g., f/2.8-f/4) to isolate one prayer wheel while softly blurring the others. This creates a focal anchor and evokes intimacy.
OR
b) deep focus (f/8-f/11) can emphasize repetition and symmetry if aiming for a more architectural or meditative feel.
It does show two spinning wheels (seems to me with a slight blur)
Interesting POV. Nice work. Posted: 10/05/2025 16:11:52
2. Boost clarity and contrast selectively on the embossed patterns to make the craftsmanship pop. Shooting in RAW helps to do that in post.
3.Enhance the warm tones of the wood and consider subtle vignette to draw the eye inward.
4. In this scenario, as per conventional thinking taking photographs without any specialized lens , it seems to me that I have two options...
a) Use a shallow depth of field (e.g., f/2.8-f/4) to isolate one prayer wheel while softly blurring the others. This creates a focal anchor and evokes intimacy.
OR
b) deep focus (f/8-f/11) can emphasize repetition and symmetry if aiming for a more architectural or meditative feel.
It does show two spinning wheels (seems to me with a slight blur)
Interesting POV. Nice work. Posted: 10/05/2025 16:11:52
Thanks for the detailed suggestions. I was more bothered by the bland white foreground than by the red roof. Posted: 10/23/2025 05:44:57
I like the red roof and the contrast between the old roof and the old traditions. The white centre is a bit harsh. Posted: 10/25/2025 20:22:23