Barbara Anello Long Son Pagoda Analysis

Analyzing Barbara J. Anello’s Long Son Pagoda
American photographer, Barbara J. Anello, has traveled to Southeast Asia documenting the historical aspects of traditional art and culture. Anello’s collection, “Photographs of Southeast Asia and Morocco”, focuses on the domestic architecture of rural areas and cultures. Anello’s photograph Long Son Pagoda was taken in Na Trang, Vietnam on March 3, 2008. The photograph Long Son Pagoda depicts the Vietnamese culture and the sacred land it possesses, demonstrates tranquility by the distribution of cool tones and smooth lines, which represents the belief in Buddhism. The photograph Long Son Pagoda, demonstrates the sacred land that the Vietnamese culture possesses. In the background, there is a shining

The background of the light blue sky is a negative space, emphasizing the statue of the white Buddha, which is a positive space that is one of the main focal points in the photograph. In addition, the color of the light blue sky is in contrast with the dark green trees and the dark brown incense pot, which also makes these two positive spaces more prominent in the photograph. However, the dark green trees also frame the photo, making not only the worshipers, but also the Buddha and the incense pot to be placed in the center of the photo. Also, the sun’s rays highlight the large, white Buddha statue, making it the most prominent feature in the photo. The light of the bright sun highlights the incense pot in the photograph; however, the incense pot is not as prominent as the Buddha statue. The colors in the photo are cool tones and are triadic colors from each other, giving the photograph a calming feel to the viewer’s emotions. The general aspect of the curved lines on the Buddha face and clothes also makes the photograph easy to view for the viewer

In the photo the massive statue of the white Buddha represents enlightenment, harmony, and purity (Heim 367). It is the most prominent object in the photo, making the overall photo about Buddhism. In addition to the Buddha statue, the concrete stand that is covered with lotus flowers represents fortune and beauty, since the lotus flowers are pink (St John 562). In Vietnam the three different colors of the lotus flower each represents a different meaning: red represents beauty; pink represents history; white represents purity (St John 562). The enlarge incense pot represents the ritual of the Vietnamese culture in honoring the gods and the dead (Heim 367). Therefore, the worshipers who are taking a photo with the Buddha statue are capturing their time and respect at the temple, to have a memory of their reminiscent. Anello has photographed the Long Son Pagoda to represent the belief in Buddhism in the Vietnamese culture by capturing the worshipers and the Buddha