The Giant Buddha of Leshan

When using a wide angle lens (here a 24mmPCE), the best results are obtained when an subject is placed in the foreground. This increases the "depth" of the image. A comparison can be made between the photograph posted earlier today and this one. In this later image, I placed the back of a river boat (with its Chinese flag visible!) in the left corner. As a result, this photograph appears not as "flat" as the earlier one. I could unfortunately not arrange to place a boat in the foreground of the landscape shot! I kept it anyway as it shows the two guardian figures that are flanking the Buddha. The little people at the toe of the statue gives an idea of the scale of the monument.

The Giant Buddha of Leshan

The giant 71 meter high Dafo (Great Buddha) was carved into red sandstone at the confluence of of the Min, Dadu and Qingyi rivers. The imposing statue was built in 713AD at the initiative of a monk, to safeguard the passing boats from the treacherous currents by creating a protective icon in the rock.

The Dafo is best seen from the river. Short cruises are arranged from Leshan to enjoy the site.