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“How to take a picture of a man standing in a sea of corpses” | Mar 27th
Yemrehanna Kristos church
No matter how many Photography magazines I read searching for the answer, I just can’t seem to find an article on this topic! “How to take a picture of a man standing in a sea of corpses.” Well, here you go… You never know, it might come in handy one day.
I thought I’d share this photograph from Yemrehanna Kristo’s church I finally got around to editing. The monk’s name is Keas Hable Mariyam. He is the caretaker of the cavern-church and speaks very highly of his work. Here is the scrap from my Ethiopia journal to go along with it.
Today at Yemrehanna Kristos church, I photographed a monk surrounded in corpses. He explained to me they were pilgrims, mostly from Jerusalem. There were over 10 000 skeletons at one point, but now it is hard to say since they have been decaying over the years. Whatever the debated number, I can describe it only as wading out with my camera into a sea of skeletons. I tried my best to be respectful and not go into the parts the monk warned me not to, staying on wooden boards and tombs… but every once in awhile I would hear the crunch of a bone under the pressure of my weight, or feel my hand brush against the smoothness of a human skull. The monk was very patient with me, and I feel I captured a moment in time I never thought I’d see in my life.
Let’s look closer at that image…
And another…
You can view these images bigger and the rest of the Holy Men series on http://www.joeyL.com
Anyway, have a great sleep tonight!
JL
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Christina:(Mar 27th - 19:00) Hi Joey, I've been following your blog - I love your images. I felt compelled to comment on this particular post. These images really left me speechless and first. Simply amazing.
Jody:(Mar 28th - 15:43) You do what I thought I'd be doing and still hope to do one day. For now it's weddings but you are an inspiration. Your work is amazing - keep it up :-)
rob:(Mar 28th - 16:02) Woah thats intense man, now that shows you have HAVE done everything. how did you even find out about this place? did you ask the monk if he happen to have 10,000 corpses lying around...? afterwards i would have gone out and disinfected ALL over, lol.
Daniel Delidjakov:(Mar 30th - 07:40) Amazing photographs, great detail, great character.
Daniel Delidjakov:(Mar 30th - 07:41) Amazing photographs, great detail, great character.
elizabeth:(Mar 30th - 20:52) Your work is incredible.. I cannot even imagine a place like this let alone being allowed to photograph it as well. You have done an exceptional job.. you are truly gifted.
Craig Ferguson:(Apr 01st - 07:58) You sure do get around to some interesting places. Nice work Joey.
marie:(Apr 03rd - 05:24) you are absolutely amazing at what you do. You are gifted beyond belief. Your work actually leaves me speechless, and it is so great that you have found something that you love and are so good at, at such a young age
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Bart:(Apr 07th - 15:01) Just discovered ur site and blog! U have a great portfolio and great work here! Really amazing, no words for! Go on, ur doing good! :)
Bart:(Apr 07th - 15:01) Just discovered ur site and blog! U have a great portfolio and great work here! Really amazing, no words for! Go on, ur doing good! :)
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Adam Svensson:(Apr 08th - 05:58) Hey Man! Love your photos, u're awsome. The holy men and the ethopia series are so sweet. Good job. A Little jelous ;) only been to egypt in africa, want to go more into deep as u man, would be sweet as hell. I have a question which appeard when watching the video. What camera do u use? and what lens for most of ur photos? Anyhow, great job bro. keep up the good work and keep posting
Kris:(Apr 08th - 17:19) Awesome place, great captures. My favorite is the last one.
Alejandro:(Apr 11th - 00:05) I've got to tell you, your work has inspired me to become a better photographer. I have been taking photographs for about 2 years now. i am passionate about photography...even when i have no money to buy a good camera. All my work i've done is because i borrow my jobs camera jaja since i work as a photographer for my university news paper. Hope to get to know you some of these days. Alex.
Matt Bamberg:(Apr 11th - 05:33) Ouch! Fascinating photography. matt Bamberg, author http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Secrets-Create-Winning-Photographs/dp/1598639021
Last Forty Percent:(Apr 12th - 18:49) This is amazing - what an experience! - brianna
mooch:(Apr 16th - 20:39) This is fantastical. Only once I had read the article did I believe you. Not sure how this can exist without disease being present? Really very striking. The close up images really capture the reality too, only once you see this does the gravity of this finally sink in. How you get to hear about such places I do not know!
Chris N:(Apr 18th - 07:49) That must have been quite disturbing to see. I like your "have a great sleep tonight" at the end. haha! ... *gulp*
Michael Ferguson:(Apr 22nd - 06:53) There is going to be a lot more of this very soon. Just google NEW WORLD ORDER! But your pictures are really amazing. Thanks for the Honesty!
Adam Cavanagh:(May 02nd - 16:59) WOW...
Katherine Massier:(May 11th - 07:32) I love this, your work is amazing and inspiring.
BlackTheFotologist:(May 11th - 10:26) Amazing! A wonderful capture... The textures & shades of light bring so much mood & highlight the monk's blessing of life... at it's purest! a very straight-forward contrast... deliciously organic!
BlackTheFotologist:(May 11th - 10:27) Amazing! A wonderful capture... The textures & shades of light bring so much mood & highlight the monk's blessing of life... at it's purest! a very straight-forward contrast... deliciously organic!
Steve Gerrard Photography:(May 18th - 14:54) Amazing photos as always. This is why I check your blog every week. Always inspiring. Greetings from the UK :) Steve
Elena Hernandez:(May 26th - 14:25) Hey Joey, really powerful image...I am glad you were respectful of the dead. Did you catch any ghosts in your camera? I caught a few when I was photographing inside of the pyramids in mexico....i was shooting infrared film...pretty spooky stuff.
Dennis:(May 27th - 14:09) You are the coolest photographer I swear! looking forward to see more of your work.
Jake:(May 29th - 11:12) incredible picture of the dead, lol , where did they all come from
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