Haeinsa (Haein Temple) - Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks

[cyanide]

Just wanted to share some photos from a recent weekend trip to Haeinsa (Haein Temple) near Daegu, South Korea.

I took many photos but these were the best of a bad lot, I am afraid.

Some background (from http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=737):
"The Temple of Haeinsa, on Mount Kaya, is home to the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts, engraved on 80,000 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248. The buildings of Janggyeong Pangeon, which date from the 15th century, were constructed to house the woodblocks, which are also revered as exceptional works of art. As the oldest depository of the Tripitaka, they reveal an astonishing mastery of the invention and implementation of the conservation techniques used to preserve these woodblocks. "

These woodblocks were used for printing (ie put rice paper over the top of the carved woodblock and rub with graphite or similar...). The woodblocks are stored like books on shelves, in buildings which had slats covering all the window openings... so I had to stick my lens in between the slats to get photos.

I would appreciate ANY criticisms/comments on composition, exposure or any other aspects.

Hope you find them interesting, if nothing else. Larger photos available by clicking thumbnails (thanks for the tutorial, leek!!).

Cheers.


























Edit: Typos grrrrrrrr...

[Potatis]

Looks like a photographers paradise. Great clear shots. I think you've got a very good eye, Rae.

Nice exposure on #2, I would think getting a good exposure with that shot would have been tricky. The 2nd last one is a bit overexposed in places, I guess to get the exposure of this entrance way/archway (?) exposed correctly. Perhaps you might need to blend 2 images of different exposures to avoid the overexposure?

Thanks for sharing this interesting series.

[cyanide]

Looks like a photographers paradise.

Yes, yes it was.... shame I was not up to the task!!

Nice exposure on #2, I would think getting a good exposure with that shot would have been tricky.

OK - I'd better come clean and say that the sky is actually PS'ed... the sun was just out of frame to the right so the shot was badly blown in that corner --- I managed to work out how to use the magic wand just well enough to get a passably realistic sky.... but thank you anyway...

The 2nd last one is a bit overexposed in places, I guess to get the exposure of this entrance way/archway (?) exposed correctly. Perhaps you might need to blend 2 images of different exposures to avoid the overexposure?

That is a very good suggestion and I considered trying but my PS skills are almost non-existant still so I have literally no idea how to do that.... I almost left it out of the series but wanted to give a bit more variety to the other woodblock shots.... But yes - the highlights are well and truly blown!

I am only working with PS4 at the moment - looking to upgrade at some point in the next few months (or sooner). I have to admit I haven't been trying very hard with PS4 as I figure I will just "start from scratch" with whatever upgrade version I go with - CS2, CS, or 7.... (plus usual caveats of busy at work, preparing to move etc)

Thank you for taking the time to comment, Doug - much appreciated.

Cheers!