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Architectural Dichotomy
Architectural Dichotomy
BHuseman


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Dichotomy (Advanced Editing V)
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Lens: Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX
Location: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Date: Jul 6, 2007
Aperture: f11
ISO: 100
Shutter: 30'
Galleries: Cityscape, Urban
Date Uploaded: Jul 6, 2007

 This photo is of Bongeun-sa, a working Buddhist Temple in the heart of Seoul, Republic of Korea. Established in 794 by Ven. Yeon-hoe (the National Master Monk of Unified Silla at that time), the temple was originally called Gyeonseong-sa (meaning "seeing true nature"). The temple was rebuilt in 1498 and renamed Bongeun-sa (meaning "offering benefit"). In 1562 it was moved about 1 km to its current location and rebuilt. Destroyed by fire in 1592 and 1637, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and renovated. The major restorations came in 1637, 1692, 1912, 1941, and 1981. A 3-story stone stupa enshrines the Sari of Sakyamuni Buddha, brought from Sri Lanka in 1975.

The big building in the left center is the COEX mall an integrated shopping, culture, education, and leisure complex in the heart of Seoul. Connecting the Convention and Exhibition Center (COEX) and World Trade Tower with the Samseong subway station (line 2), the area contains over 85,000 square meters of underground dining, shopping, and family entertainment facilities, The COEX Mall offers everything from international foods to the latest books and CDs in a traffic-free and all-weather environment. The Mall also spills outside into one open-air section.

I got this idea of showing the contrast between the rich cultural heritage of the Korean people with the modern lifestyle they have grown acustomed to.

This photo was taken at about 8 pm. the skies were hazy all day so I knew I needed a later photo to get a better sky.

For post procesing, I ran the photo through Photomatix and Tonemapped it. Then I opened in CS3 and bumped the levelas for more contrast. I used the healing brush to get rid of some sensor dust that I need to clean. I then used the shadow highlight control to bring the highlights downa little bit in the lights, and then I used neat image ot remove the noise and try to blend the ever so slight haol that I don't like. I then resized, sharpened and saved for web.

I took several photosfrom diverent angles to to come up with the best idea. Below is another one that I chose not to use:


I also took a photo of the three story standind Buddha:


Overall I am happy with the Dichotomy photo. This was a tough challenge to get an idea for and I am happy that I was able to get soemthing together. I did a serach for Architectural Dichotomy on Google and was surprised by the results. From architects talking about blending form and function to people discussing a city that balances the old with the new. I think this image represents both of these ideals very well.

(Information courtesy of www.lifeinkorea.com)
Thanks again for all of the kind comments and votes. 3 straight 6.5+ votes in a row makes me do the happy jig!

Team Strangers, this one counts! STRANGERS #1!!!

Statistics
Place: 9 out of 159
Avg (all users): 6.5738
Avg (commenters): 6.9091
Avg (participants): 6.3913
Avg (non-participants): 6.6842
Views since voting: 4078
Views during voting: 235
Votes: 122
Comments: 19
Favorites: 3 (view)

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AuthorThread
Nikon D700
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon
 09/01/2007 10:04:48 PM
This is just plain cool. I love the difference between the classic beauty of the old vs the harsh clean new.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
 07/26/2007 03:22:42 PM
This is outstanding. Getting to know Korea pretty well looking through your portfolio, and this is just great. Is it an HDR?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM
 07/18/2007 07:52:11 AM
WOOHOO top 10 photo. This is such a great photo, the time of day this was shot with the great balance of light. Exactly the right time to shoot a night shot. The colors are brilliant. What more can I say!!

I agree that this might be a candidate for HDR.

Comment - no vote. GO STRANGERS
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED
 07/18/2007 07:21:26 AM
This is a very cool shot. Have you ever used photomatix ? The right time of day I think this would be a great candidate for HDR. But, as it is an awesome shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Panasonic DMC-FZ30
 07/17/2007 03:45:49 AM
A wonderful image
Congrats on your placing
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D850
Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD for Nikon
 07/15/2007 11:49:39 PM
Great colors!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III
 07/15/2007 12:53:45 PM
nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 07/15/2007 10:50:10 AM
Love the colors and symetry in this. Great eye and view of the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF
 07/14/2007 09:10:21 PM
Isn't Seoul beautiful at times... This temple particularly stands out against the Samsung district. Great capture! The framing is very good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital
 07/14/2007 10:01:38 AM
This certainly is quite the comparison. I hope that is not a fast food restaurant in front lol. Your processing gives the pic this cool sci-fi look.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 07/12/2007 08:56:55 AM
I love the lighting in this image. Very nice composition as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D70s
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 07/10/2007 03:54:10 PM
Nice lighting and colors.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Canon
 07/10/2007 03:12:02 PM
Very neat looking skyline. Very well composed...the arrangement of buildings really makes this interesting. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Nikon AF Nikkor 28-85mm 1:3.5-4.5
07/09/2007 06:36:57 PM
I like this it would be better if godzilla was ion the background but ya can't get everything...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A100
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 07/09/2007 05:45:50 PM
Great juxaposition!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus E-400
Olympus 14-42mm f.3.5-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom
 07/09/2007 11:15:38 AM
Contrasts seem a bit strong - the shadows result in a smudgy/muddy effect - not sure that I am explaining myself properly. An interesting example of Dichotomy however.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark IV
Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 USM
 07/09/2007 11:06:11 AM
Absolutely. This is a great concept for dichotomy. One of the few here where I get it unmistakably.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
 07/09/2007 04:30:27 AM
Extra nice image!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A200
Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6
 07/09/2007 12:28:34 AM
I really like this idea of dichotomy in architecture. Wouldn't have thought of it until I saw this photo. Nice!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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