An Earnest Prayer by myautofocuslife

An Earnest Prayer

I wanted to give this week's theme, On The Street, a go so I made a trip to Waterloo Street yesterday and managed a few shots I really liked.

This was taken at the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple in Waterloo Street. The central deity is the goddess of mercy, Kuan Yin. The temple, a historic site, dates back to 1884 and is well known among devotees for granting prayers. Many visit the temple every day, praying with incense and flowers.

I was fascinated by the earnest expression of this devotee's face as she prayed. She held this posture at the temple's entrance for at least five minutes, the joss sticks gripped tightly in her hands, her face turned to the morning sun. Whatever her prayer was, I am sure it mattered the world to her.

Once again, I have ventured out of my comfort zone. Ack, I was still nervous about being conspicuous, so I am very thankful that my Lumix compact camera has a great zoom!
So excited to see a pic like this from you Liv! Love that you are venturing out of your comfort zone :) This pic is fab- love the pov and light on her face- great b&w well done!
March 1st, 2012  
Great work Livia, this is an intense shot, well done you. Good luck with your theme entry:0)
March 1st, 2012  
Great capture I like the focus
March 1st, 2012  
Brilliant shot Livia. I love the tones in this shot, they are so good, as is the dof and focusing. As a piece of photojournalism it really is of the highest order.
March 1st, 2012  
This is fabulous. Very photojournalistic! FAV
March 1st, 2012  
Beautiful candid shot, Livia. You caught the expression on her face beautifully. Love it in B&W. And also the light (sun) shining right on her face is perfect. I would try this with my p&s . . but not the larger camera that I have now. A compact camera has its advantages. And you got a great picture. :)
March 1st, 2012  
Excellent moment to capture. Very good work for the theme. :)
March 1st, 2012  
love the use of black an white Livia!
March 1st, 2012  
Hooray for getting out of your comfort zone. You're doing it so well!
March 1st, 2012  
This is an amazing capture, Livia! Street photography makes me so nervous! I'm proud of you! Fav!
March 1st, 2012  
eva
Fantastic capture. Excellent!
March 1st, 2012  
This photo speaks volumes. Glad you are venturing out of your comfort zone... great photos are your reward!
March 1st, 2012  
Amazing what we will do for a photo! A still hand is required with a zoom when you haven't got time for the tripod!
March 1st, 2012  
This is a wonderfully dramatic image Livia it speaks loudly of her emotions. I really love this. Nicely done for breaching your comfort zones...again!
March 1st, 2012  
What a great picture! I love it in B&W.
March 1st, 2012  
Wow - this is wonderful. Beautiful image with lovely editing.
March 1st, 2012  
Absolutely terrific street shot. It is stunning! A fav for me!
March 1st, 2012  
Terrific shot! The DOF, tones and composition are spot on.
March 1st, 2012  
Amazing moment and expression you captured. It is so neat!
March 1st, 2012  
Fabulous shot! So great for the theme. I like the composition and the b&w.
March 1st, 2012  
Well done! I like this and it really is so different for you! Keep it up and you will increase your circle of comfort. The expression on her face is one I've seen many times from many a person in ernest prayer. I recognize the look! Great shot, Livia!
March 1st, 2012  
Congratulations Livia, you have matched your subject's intensity with a passion of your own. Skill and an artist's creative eye are evident in all your work. +Fav
March 1st, 2012  
Great capture of the moment. Really suits b&w too
March 1st, 2012  
Wonderful piece of street photography!! Well done.
March 1st, 2012  
Great people photography. I love her expression!
March 1st, 2012  
A really great street capture Livia. Perfect for B&W.
March 1st, 2012  
Well done for being brave. The light on her is just right and you have captured her and her expression and all it says. Great street shot.
March 1st, 2012  
Fantastic candid, she has great expression in her face, perfect in b&w!
March 1st, 2012  
Well done candid - perfect in b&w
March 1st, 2012  
Beautiful shot. Love how you've composed it. I totally understand your feeling when taking this sort of pictures: sometimes I whish I could be transparent
March 1st, 2012  
You`re very brave, ..... And the results are marvelous pic.
March 1st, 2012  
Great, intense picture!
March 1st, 2012  
wonderful capture of her expression
March 1st, 2012  
A wonderful moment captured :)
March 1st, 2012  
Congrats on going out of your comfort zone! Look at the great, emotional photo you got! Nicely done.
March 1st, 2012  
Really great candid shot and well doen for trying something different
March 1st, 2012  
I like the expression on her face, great shot!
March 1st, 2012  
Brilliant capture!
March 1st, 2012  
Cool capture
March 2nd, 2012  
Perfect theme shot! I feel the same way when out in public, but the zoom is good! Great job capturing the emotion here!
March 2nd, 2012  
powerful portrait pulls me right in.
March 2nd, 2012  
Great street shot, well done
March 2nd, 2012  
very well done. it is a moving shot..
March 2nd, 2012  
This is amazing! I love the use of black-and-white!
March 2nd, 2012  
Beautiful street shot! i'm still trying to work up the nerve for street photography. Suburbs just really aren't that interesting for people watching, either! I love how earnest and powerful this photo is. Tells a wonderful story.
March 2nd, 2012  
great theme shot you got
March 2nd, 2012  
wow Livia - you are something else - out of your zone and functioning SO beautifully; this is wonderful
March 2nd, 2012  
super theme shot
March 2nd, 2012  
great theme shot!! I need to venture out into the streets!
March 2nd, 2012  
lovely theme shot Livia!
March 2nd, 2012  
I can feel the strong emotion in this wonderful street shot. It is also a great black and white.
March 2nd, 2012  
Lovely shot ...great in B & W ....wonderful for the theme!!
March 2nd, 2012  
Such a moment captured! And well processed too!
March 2nd, 2012  
you are brave
i always worry about their privacy even if they are in a public place.
but you did a very good job of capturing the spirit of the moment
March 2nd, 2012  
This is a fantastic shot. Love the B&W treatment too
March 2nd, 2012  
Nice capture!
March 2nd, 2012  
Amazing portrait Livia. That lady looks sooo concentrated in her prayers and wouldn't have seen you where you very close to her. B&W is perfect in this shot.
March 2nd, 2012  
Great street shot! I struggle with them too. Nice expression and shadows too.
March 2nd, 2012  
A street photo Yay! And what a good one! I love that you left your comfort zone :)
March 2nd, 2012  
Beautiful capture of this moment--worth that you went out of your comfort zone (:
March 2nd, 2012  
Great street shot Liv! You captured it beautifully :D
March 2nd, 2012  
AN excellent candid shot Livia. Congrats for stepping out of your comfort zone. You captured this woman's intensity very well.
March 2nd, 2012  
A great theme shot and use of b&w. I am glad you did step out of your comfort zone for this shot.
March 2nd, 2012  
Great candid shot!
March 2nd, 2012  
First time viewing your photos and your attention to detail is beautiful, interesting, colorful and you have a gift. I can see why you have so many that follow you. Thank you for viewing mine. I too am drawn to pointing and shooting things that catch my eye. Life Is Good!
March 2nd, 2012  
Great B&W
March 2nd, 2012  
Wonderful capture!
March 2nd, 2012  
You are doing a great job!! Love the black and white!
March 2nd, 2012  
Another great street capture.
March 3rd, 2012  
This is terrific. her pain is matched by size of incense
March 3rd, 2012  
Another great street capture, it's daunting isn't it! Well done!
March 3rd, 2012  
A great, big, B&W-toned, heartfelt "THANK YOU!" to everyone!

Thank you for your feedback and your supportive words. I don't have much faith in my street shots but I know I had to try. I like to look at faces and see different expressions and, for me, street photography is really more about the people than the street. People fascinate and inspire me. Every face tells a story. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know that you've enjoyed seeing this photograph. I hope her prayer is answered.

Again, thank you!
March 3rd, 2012  
Love that you ventured out of your comfort zone!! It's a fantastic shot , her expression is so intense and the b/w really adds to the pic!! Well done Livia :)
March 3rd, 2012  
Great timing! You captured her facial expression perfectly in time. Beautiful in B&W!
March 3rd, 2012  
Love the selective focus on her face, her expression is captured perfectly! Lovely processing too!
March 4th, 2012  
Great photo - looks great in B&W
March 4th, 2012  
nice capture of the intensity in her expression
March 5th, 2012  
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