Penitence Light
A group of 'Penitents' in an Easter procession in Cartagena, Spain, hiding their identities with the ancient 'Capirotes', the conic hats. In...
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A group of 'Penitents' in an Easter procession in Cartagena, Spain, hiding their identities with the ancient 'Capirotes', the conic hats. In the very old times, in several countries of Europe this cone was a sign of public humiliation imposed by the Authorities to the delinquents and sinners, who were obliged to walk through the streets with a simple cone in their heads in order to be recognised while everybody insulted them and threw them old food, potatoes, tomatoes or just excrements and even stones. Originally the cones did not cover the faces. Centuries later, these 'Capirotes' were addopted by the self-imposed catholic and christian Penitents in the Easter processions as a sign of humility, but with cones that covered their faces for discretion purposes (in order not to show-off their self-imposed penances, which could be very strong). This was how the 'Capirotes' took a self-humiliation and religious meaning throughout Europe. However, at certain point in history, some fundamentalist 'christian' groups started to use them as a coward identity covers for committing racists crimes, like the persecution of Jews in some countries of Europe or the KKK in Unites States, pretending that these supremacist crimes were 'justified' based on 'religious' reasons. Thus the conic ‘hats’ used nowadays in the Spanish Eastern processions have the same ancient origin than the infamous KKK coward identity covers, but have literarily an opposite meaning: humility and penitence vs. arrogance and sin. —Human being is the only animal with symbolic thinking, with the ability to give meaning to the symbols. Specifically, man is the only animal that can give to the same sign a different or even opposite meaning.
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Semana Santa, or Holy Week (the week preceding Easter Sunday or Pascua), is elaborately celebrated every year in Spain. During the week, each afternoon heavy 17th century floats bearing 'imagenes' of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary emerge from the old churches and process through the streets for hours. The ‘Costaleros’ bear the weight of these enormous floats, while ‘Penitents’ lead and follow the floats wearing the traditional ‘Capirotes’ and candles. The cries of the ‘Pregoneros’ bring the story of Jesus's crucifixion and are heard in the main streets. Sharing in the deeply rooted Christian traditions on this very special week in any important city of Spain is definitely worth while, especially in certain cities, like Seville or Cartagena.
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Photo taken at night, with a 70-300 L IS Canon zoom, at 300f, without flash and hand held. No photoshopped at all. Raw image is practically the same than this one.
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(File#: 2014-04-18 22.24.32_2_DxO-2)
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Semana Santa, or Holy Week (the week preceding Easter Sunday or Pascua), is elaborately celebrated every year in Spain. During the week, each afternoon heavy 17th century floats bearing 'imagenes' of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary emerge from the old churches and process through the streets for hours. The ‘Costaleros’ bear the weight of these enormous floats, while ‘Penitents’ lead and follow the floats wearing the traditional ‘Capirotes’ and candles. The cries of the ‘Pregoneros’ bring the story of Jesus's crucifixion and are heard in the main streets. Sharing in the deeply rooted Christian traditions on this very special week in any important city of Spain is definitely worth while, especially in certain cities, like Seville or Cartagena.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
Photo taken at night, with a 70-300 L IS Canon zoom, at 300f, without flash and hand held. No photoshopped at all. Raw image is practically the same than this one.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................
(File#: 2014-04-18 22.24.32_2_DxO-2)
Read less
Dec, 2014Views
6838
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Ceremony Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Faith Photo Contest with Scott Jarvie
Contest Finalist in All Together Photo Contest
People's Choice in PHOTOSHOOTING AT NIGHT WITH MODEL Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Night No Flash Photography Photo Challenge
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Love it
Virtuoso
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Categories
Platinum
kaimdilekeno
January 03, 2015
It reminds me "eyes wide shut" and the badly renown kkk but from the beauty of their outfit we can discard the second group obviously...
tjambga
January 04, 2015
Thank you so much for sharing not only the beautiful capture but the story that went with it. I learned something new today. Very lovely.
Platinum
PRO
aguilou4
January 04, 2015
I learned something new today. When I first saw it conjured up another thought. Thank you for sharing.
Stravinsky
January 10, 2015
We lived in Spain for some years and I cant tell you how wierd it was when I first saw this procession in our town.
Jettinabout
January 21, 2015
Just a beautiful " raw" capture, and thank you for sharing the history..
pamelisa
January 24, 2015
This shot is intimidatingly great! And thank you so much for taking the time to provide detailed explanations; love your work.
nikond200
January 30, 2015
excellent well taken and exposed photograph .my eyes are drawn to the light but still looking to were to focus most upon the most yet I do love the pic.
pondhopper007
February 09, 2015
I absolutly love this... Excellent composition, the Lighting tells its own story... Awesome Job
Momo1369
February 14, 2015
Thank you for the description. Certainly not what I thought it was. It is a beautiful photo indeed.
Platinum
Rolenz
February 18, 2015
Eyes drawn to the 'dress style', then to the crowd. Easily spotting the religious intent. An outstounding display of quality photography. Thank you for the image also the information which completes the scene.
Tiekie
March 27, 2015
Excellent shot with the lighting just perfect. Thank you for the description of the purpose and ritual. I also learned something new today.
PRO+
LookSee
April 06, 2015
An excellent photo... hehe, I have to admit it put me so much in mind of kkk that I was ready to report it and demand its removal! Your description was a relief... :)))
GEFAELL
April 06, 2015
Thank you! What a relief as well that you took the time to read the explanation!
tonybruguiere
April 08, 2015
Very nice image. Thank you for the Details info throughout your portfolio!
jonesaiko
April 20, 2015
thanks for the information, i always wandered to know abt this, thanks alot
THOMMAS
May 26, 2015
WOW,GREAT WORK,LIGHTING,DETAIL,COLORS ALL IN LINE,THATS ONE FOR THE WALL,NICE PHOTO,KOOL
Platinum
TammyBouchard
August 26, 2015
This is what I love about art. It can make you feel so many different emotions. Looking at this, I'm creeped out, scared, intimidated even. Reading the background, then I feel a sense of humility. A+
Motherofdeez
October 26, 2015
Wow what an awesome photo with an even more Awesome History. I like what you wrote with what we as humans can turn something positive to a negative as the symbol Hitler used.
gonzalo_gutierrez
October 29, 2015
Indeed, such a great pictura and illuminating narrative. Thank you!
PRO
lseven
January 28, 2016
I appreciate the artistry and difficulty in capturing this low light image. However I have a hard time shaking the likeness to the US Ku Klux Klan. It means something else right off to others.
PRO
PRO+
scruffyherbert
February 29, 2016
Certainly a shot that makes you take a double look.......more than once. Terrific photo and they have to be some of the best notes I've seen on VB, very informative.
sarahallegra
May 10, 2016
Wonderful capture! I also enjoyed the history lesson that came with the beautiful image! Wonderful capture, especially handheld and at such low light levels!
Richard4473
June 03, 2016
Great low light work you are very talented and creative keep up the great work
Premium
Cruiser87
June 21, 2016
Wow!! Like most of you, Oh My Goodness thanks for the explanation... I too learned something today!
PRO+
DShewmaker
July 02, 2016
Very dramatic and shooting in the dark only heightens the drama. Fantastic image
Anon_1234
August 08, 2016
Thank you for sharing - I had no idea about Capirotes - I'm glad to learn something new!
jenniferlambertnash
August 10, 2016
This is an amazing photo; one of the best low light photos I have seen. I had just read about the Penitence, but had never seen an actual photo. Well done!
BeCraven
February 23, 2017
Outstanding! I had no idea of the background and this photo made me want to find out what it was about.
PRO+
Chaztastic1
April 15, 2017
Thank you for the insightful TRUE meaning that many racist cowards use here in the United States! From first sight, I couldn't believe the "why" behind this beautiful image, but now I do thanks to you! ????????
PRO+
Laureli
June 14, 2017
"A picture is worth 1000 words" . . . . this one is worth by far more than that. The story it tells is amazing and, like many others, I'm quite humbled by your artistry. Thank you for sharing it!!
Beautifully_Soft
March 18, 2020
Man, I am grateful you explained ... because I was about to report this one. Just goes to show don't always give into FEAR (false evidence appearing real) on first glance without looking deeper.
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