June 2026 - Eyes of Innocence in the Bathing Buddha Ceremony
Original
About the Image(s)
Canon EOS R10 Mark ii with 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS | Contemporary
Setting: F8, 1/500 sec, ISO 160, @ 82mm
Photo Date: May 24, 2026
Eyes of Innocence in the Bathing Buddha Ceremony
Following the Vaisakhi Day celebrations in April, I would like to share another piece of cultural heritage captured in May. This is the Bathing Buddha Ceremony in a Chinese temple in Richmond, British Columbia. Without using a "very" wide aperture, fortunately, I was still able to isolate the gleaming statue of the infant Buddha and the suspended moment of the water pouring over its head. I hoped to draw the viewers into the act of devotion. Additionally, I aimed at creating the juxtaposition between a timeless ritual and the living curiosity of the next generation witnessing their heritage, grounded by the modern smartphone that anchors the scene in contemporary reality. An accompanying image (20260524_01) was enclosed to document the massive scale and layout of the event; however, because it lacks a singular emotional focal point, it is served purely as contextual background, leaving this close-up to carry the true heart of the story.
5 comments posted
Jen Fawkes
Hi Christine, thank you for sharing the story behind this image, what it does suggest to me is that you have the potential for a series of images that can tell the whole story about the Vaisakhi celebrations. This could certainly include your additional image that shows the scope of the event. Your main subject, the infant Buddha is nice and sharp and the justaposition with this and the young child behind is very nice (and well spotted). What I would like you to think about his where the subject is placed in the frame, seemingly close to the left edge and looking out of the frame. Positioning yourself a little more to the left will allow the viewrer to see a little more of the subjects face, and give more room for it to move into. The woman on the mobile phone is a distraction and sadly spoils the excitment about the event. I'm guessing that she was about to take an image, but it does look like she is just perusing her mobile phone. Posted: 06/04/2026 13:05:59
Ron Davis
Hi Christine. My first impression of this photo was the out of focus lady with young child in the centre and the lady on the phone. It took me some time to realise it was the Buddha to the left. As Jen has said placing yourself more to the left would have overcome this problem, presuming you could move easily. If movement not possible then a wider shot much less than 82mm, say 28mm would have captured the person tipping the cup over the Buddha. Posted: 06/05/2026 18:11:52
Leslie Larson
Agree that subject should be closer to the center. I also would like the child and mother looking on to be in focus as well as the Buddha. Woman on cell is a disconcerting distraction. Very interesting ceremony. Posted: 06/07/2026 10:24:49
Richard Goldenberg
Hi Christine - Very interesting photo! I have a slightly different take than others who have commented. I think it's kind of cool to have the statue in focus and all the people blurred. It's still very much a human interest photo even with all the humans blurred and still tells a fascinating story. If I could change anything to make what I think might be a stronger photo, it would be to remove more of the arm holding the ladle, e.g., by cropping or moving to a slightly different location, but I like the photo as is very much. Posted: 06/07/2026 16:14:32
Tom Brott
I like the story that you are trying to tell here. I would have liked to have seen the little boy and the adult holding him be in better focus as I feel the wonderment on his face is a great part of the story. As for the lady with the cell phone it is a little distracting but unfortunately they are such a great part of society today it is hard to get a shot without someone holding a cell phone. Posted: 06/10/2026 12:39:54
