Steps to Enlightenment

[Rob MacKillop]

From 2017...

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Very nice, Rob! Excellently captured light!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thank you, sir!

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Thank you, sir!

What is this place, Rob? There seems to be a strange contrast between the ‘supposedly ancient’ statue and the modern staircase. And where does the light on Buddha's face come from? Is it a natural source?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I think it was/is the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. So, yes, a strange contrast. I wish I'd taken notes, as I think it might well be 'ancient', placed in a 19th-century building. The lighting is of course an unflattering electric light from above, at least angled towards the face, leaving a generous shadow behind. I remember thinking they could have placed the statue better, not on the staircase which leads only to the gentlemen's toilet, but on reflection such a destination has often led to an enlightenment of the bowels...

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

Beautiful light and well done.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Merci, monsieur.

 

[Gary Ayala]

While I appreciate the capture of all those light zones ... I keep thinking of the title and that the steps to enlightenment is either to be rewarded with hammer hit to the forehead with a ball-peen hammer or one's needs a ball-peen hammering to find enlightenment. (Sorry for being shallow ... but I am an American. )

 

[Rob MacKillop]

What does peen mean?

 

[Gary Ayala]

What does peen mean?

Ball Peen Hammer:
It is a hammer type.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Oh, not all Americans are shallow