Brothers in alms

This shot was taken from across a busy street in Bangkok. Particularly difficult to take with the traffic buzzing by and no tripod or telephoto (it is cropped from a wider view).

The man in the red is the monk's helper. He was in charge of packing all the alms that the monk was receiving into the white bags that you see on the pavement. The almost full white bags are the monk's collections from under an hour.

This was a moment when things were going slow for them, so the helper decided to take a breather and look around. Coincidentally at the same time, the traffic slowed down and I managed to get this shot.

Bangkok, Thailand
2005

Arjun Purkayastha • travel & fine art photography •

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Comments

celisthecoolest says:

wow. you do get to travel a lot.

i like the orange against the gray. makes is very bright
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

AndroidParanoid [deleted] says:

...Fine explication,short and effective :-),the picture even cropped is magnific,tones,quality and colours are great...Ohhh sometimes around here we can speak about photography :-))
A pleasure sharing this space with you
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

sikaa says:

Wonderful!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

hn. says:

Very Bangkok.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

(gian) says:

Great!

(as usual)
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

нσвσ says:

Great capture and brilliant colors
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

varmlandspojk says:

Very interesting picture.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Guynneth says:

This is a great photograph! You have a good eye.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

yamaken says:

Yes! Very interesting!!

Also the description helps much!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

annabellafranc [deleted] says:

I love the colours of the two figures against the monochrome background !
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Bagryan says:

Congratulations for this beautiful picture!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Ctd 2005 says:

Wonderful composition , the color of the monk's robe and the vessel he appears to be holdiing.
A great people pic.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Jane_W says:

Very nicely captured; a great example of street photography.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

lukasd2009 [deleted] says:

The bright colors of their clothes agains the grey bacrkound makes this very interesting. Awsome shot!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

jaki good says:

I agree with everyone - this is a great capture - it really catches your eye and attention.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

chezamy says:

love the different energies in them-connected yet seperate...
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

nathalie booth says:

Wonderful and thank you for the story it makes the picture even more interesting
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Keri dreams of a Pentax K-x says:

Great title. Please add it to the Entitled pool.

And thanks for the description, too. I agree with everyone--that pulls title and photo together.

And the colors and contrasts are wonderful.
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeanne8 says:

2 of our children are teaching in Asia and they went to Thailand for Christmas they said it was so beautiful there.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Very lovely indeed!
Posted 49 months ago. ( permalink )

velvetart says:

great frame!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

hn. says:

Regarding the title, first i smiled, too. But then, seeing the different positions of the two people, i'd definitely not call them "brothers".
"Brothers" might have been a good title for two monks captured, but not for monk + helper.
Anyway, of course, it is a highly interesting and thoughtful picture.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

T Glow says:

great capture!!!!!!!! nice colors/light!!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

neloqua says:

I like the casual look:great capture!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Linda B (Wine Diva) says:

Nominated for Entitled!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

ThePres [deleted] says:

Nice moment captured here ; )
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

jason03yingling says:

Wow this is great!!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

GothamOddISee says:

The monks expression is so transcendent, peaceful. Which contrasts nicely with his helpers crossed arms and tired look.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

kool_skatkat says:

it's an amazing catch.. like they say keep your camera with you ready to shoot! Some beautiful warm colours!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

P Villerius says:

Great story and shot!...(1-2-3)
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Traces in the Sand [deleted] says:

good shot, but the story makes it. That's a lot of alms! 1-2-3
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Reciprocity says:

That's really a very interesting shot and description. Great title and great juxtaposition of the serene monk and the money-bagger.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

miss_kcc says:

great shot and interesting description - love the bright colors :)
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

dougsystrom says:

contrast of religion, race, colors, people, interest, work, mission, life ... this is a powerful photo. Well done.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

David H-W (Extrajection) says:

Well-captured candid shot. Works well because of the distance between the two figures.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Guy Flâneur says:

Very cool people shot -- much enhanced by your story. (3-2-1)
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Still Picture says:

What a contrast! Simply amazing!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

niklens says:

great shot....!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

the bright field [deleted] says:

An excellent portrait shot. Very good
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Mad Kad says:

You captured very well the serenity of this monk. Bravo!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

ESKarthik says:

This is a beautiful capture...
Great Street photography!!
Congrats!! (1-2-3)
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

!yomama! [deleted] says:

great shot.

would be fun to invent dialogue:

"'can't belive he brought the old pot. if i've told him once, i've told him a thousand times to bring the brass pott with the rafia base... i friggin give up!"
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

(Rimbaudian) says:

perfectly captured, great shot!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

malidinapoli says:

wonderful shot, i love their expression, the colours and the story behind it :)
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

celisthecoolest - I could do with more! Thanks.

Android Paranoid, Jeanne8 - A pleasure.

sikaa, Hobo pd, varmlandspojk, Guynneth, yamaken, annabellafranc, !Esther, Bagryan, Ctd 2005, Janebug, lukasd2009, *haibar, jaki good, chezamy, velvetart, T Glow, neloqua, thepres6, jason03yingling, P Villerius, miss_kcc, S u d a r s h a n, niklens, brightfield, Mad Kad, ESKarthik, (Rimbaudian), malidinapoli - Thanks.

h.neumeyer - Yes it is. The title was just a creative way of looking at it. Either way I don't see why they cannot be brothers (in a more general sense of belonging to the same country, etc.). Thanks for your constructive comments and thoughts.

(gian) - Thanks (as usual).

nathalie pahud-briquet, Traces in the Sand, DCVoyager - Glad you like the story.

panzer73, Wine Diva - Thanks for the nomination, have added it to the pool.

GothamOddISee, Reciprocity, dougsystrom, David H-W (Extrajection) - Thanks for your perspective on the shot.

kool_skatkat - Yes, it always helps to have the camera around for these candid moments.

!yomama! - Nice addition. ;-)
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

bamboquiri says:

Great!!!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

daniel suarez says:

well spoted...
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

the_nannish_one says:

Hey, who can argue? Wonderful contrast between the two figures. And I LOVE the color against the monochromatic background. This is really a brilliant shot! Whether you set it up or not. Sometimes the 'breaks in traffic' turn out to be the very best. (1-2-3)
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Joe Cashin says:

Brilliant picture and thanks for the text it explains everything. You have a very interesting set of pictures, well done.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

jam343 says:

nice!!!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

George the Greek says:

Very lovely, and thank you for the good title and interesting commentary.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

singingpixel says:

The contrast in their attitudes and expressions is what makes the photo really fascinating, besides the nice composition and great colors.

Thanks for your comment on my cherry-blossom photo!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

nyomee wallen says:

Very clean,good looking and well robe monk.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

kozan says:

oh my god.. what a composition!
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

baby7 says:

very nice composition''
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Farl says:

the story behind the photo is real with or without explanation
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

Catherine Reyes says:

Wonderful! The contrast in poses is priceless... and I love how the monk has distanced himself from the material gooods that he has collected.
Posted 48 months ago. ( permalink )

woolloomooloo says:

wow!!! this is really great!! i had to come back to look at it a few times... ^-^
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Nature Photographer says:

Wonderfull story with your good photo. Made an intyeresting read. At first I thought old vs new but your note changed that idea. Very well done.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul Sparks says:

A fantastic candid portrait. A great slice of life.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

bamboquiri, daniel suarez, jam343, kozan, baby7, Nature Photographer, Paul Sparks - Thanks.

the_nannish_one - They definitely do. Thanks for your perspective.

Joe Cashin - Thank you and hope to see you around for more.

George the Greek - You're most welcome.

singingpixel - Thanks for your take on the shot.

nyomee wallen, woolloomooloo - :-)

Farl - Interesting thought.

CDReyes - That's a great observation, I had not thought of that earlier.
Posted 47 months ago. ( permalink )

Jennifer Esperanza {Mahita} says:

great street shot....just great
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

Jennifer Esperanza - Thanks.
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

pj58 says:

great shot... also good story!! :)
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

ShawnXian (Busy trying to Heal) says:

Fascinating capture!
A real thought provoking viewing pleasure!!!
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

pj58, ShawnXian - Thank you.
Posted 41 months ago. ( permalink )

-vodka- says:

great angle
good story
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Alon_A says:

Spectacular capture !!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Jonathan Taylor Photography says:

Nice image
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

keeper380 says:

There seems to be a wonderful contrast between the two mens facial expressions and body language. well done
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Suren Rupasinghe says:

Wow ... the picture tells a big story ... A capture cant be better than this ...
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Daniel A. Norman says:

Special Invite to RAW Street Photography group
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

-vodca-, Alon_A, Jonathan Taylor Photography, keeper380, Suren Rupasinghe - Thank you.

Daniel A. Norman - Thanks for the invite.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

rachma.safitri says:

excellent.. it must be a challenge to get a street photography like this.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

rachma.safitri - Yes, this was a tough one to pull off. For more, see the notes.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

paranoidandroid_ says:

Wow!
He actually has a helper??????????
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

paranoidandroid_ - Yes he did! :-)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

songedeluxe says:

superbe story
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Dippold says:

molto bella!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

s R i N a T h says:

nice candid..
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

langkawi says:

Great story and capture - showed it around a lot!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Peon Peetie says:

great capture!
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

songedeluxe, Dippold, s R i N a T h, langkawi, Peon Peetie - Thx.
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

YENTHEN says:

Please post this image in the RAW Street Photography group
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Enchanter of Camelot says:

Please add your photo to our group, Impressions & Expressions and feel free to join us unless you’ve already done so.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

~mintas.fotos~ says:

one of the Buddhist precepts is that we are all one.... & in that light....i luv this title......gr8 play on words & a gr8 capture!
namaste'
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

divya babu says:

Very cool shot.... wonderful composition and title! The monk with his peaceful stance and the helper with his very business-like impatience make for a very interesting contrast! :)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

fuzzylogic55 says:

Unica!!! :)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

onkel_wart says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Slowing down the Flow of Time, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

™ goraiapick ™ catching up says:

fABULOUS sHOT

This photograph did slow down the flow of time for me -- thanks!

Slowing down the Flow of Time
Please comment on one or Invite a new one!

YOUR IMAGE HAS BEEN HAND-PICKED. PLEASE POST IT TO OUR GUILD
PLEASE REMEMBER - POST 1 AWARD 1 using our AWARD CODE

Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

nrares says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called God above, and we'd love to have this added to the
group!
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

Blackhorse17 says:

I love the title, "brother in alms"
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

Tim Noonan(away, Merry, Merry!) says:

Congratulations! You have been awarded the
Daark Goblet Award quot;
Daark Goblet Award

You are invited to post this photo at
~Amazing Amateur Photographer
Please Tag Image amazingamateur
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

lil' Tupelo says:

I jst say let grown peopple do what grown peopple
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

cltan47 [deleted] says:

nice colours
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

ganobristol says:

Wow, great photo....and so interesting to read the background of it as well.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Burt Youngsters says:

Awesome shot!
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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Additional Information

Taken in Bangkok, Bangkok (map)
Taken with a Nikon D70s.
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Taken on December 21, 2005
Viewed 7,549 times

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