Exercise 16: Exploring function

This exercise asks to choose any interior space, either domestic or public, and consider it from the point of view of its function.
First I am supposed to note what I think the space ought to be doing — a short list.
Then consider how well I think it succeeds.
Forming a point of view is important, because it will influence how the I decide to photograph the space.
Having made the analysis, I am supposed to make a carefully considered photograph of the space in order to put across the way it works — or should work — for the people who use it.

Recently, I have been on holiday at the Island of Mauritius and for this exercise I chose to photograph the interior of an Hindu temple in the Grand Bassin.
The Grand Bassin is a lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius and it is a holy lake for Mauritian of Hindu faith.
It is said that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges of India.
The Hindus of Mauritius declared the Grand Bassin as a Holy lake.
Beside the lake there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods including Hanuman and Lakshmi.
The Hindu community performs there a pilgrimage every year and I was lucky enough to be there at the right moment.

What space should be doing.
- Generate interest in the religion.
- Display in an interesting and attractive way the religious activity.
- Be appealing to all ages.
- Provide a safe “home” to its users.
- Provide a convivial atmosphere in which successful interaction between believers and priests can take place.

How well it succeeds.
Although it looks small the temple is fascinating and contains a really diverse collection, including some colourful votive offerings brought by local people.
It has a really relaxed and intimate atmosphere, helped by the knowledgeable voluntary staff who run it.
Overall, I think the temple well succeeds in its function and even I, despite not being Hindu, was fascinated by the intense activity and the atmosphere I found at the Grand Bassin.

The exercise itself has emphasised the importance of having an idea of what I want to capture and why before I press the shutter.
Sometimes this will be obvious, sometimes it will take more thought, but in the two cases I have taken shots that I would probably not have considered without that discipline.
My biggest difficulty was deciding how to photograph the temple from a users point of view, and how it works as a usable space.
I considered a few viewpoints that I felt would demonstrate this aspect.
I wanted to include the votive offerings within the frame as they are very important to the purpose of the space.
I decided to take my image from outside looking towards the altar area in an attempt to show the heterogeneous and informal nature of the conference.
I feel that the space works well from a users point of view.

f 3.2, 1/50 sec, ISO 100, 24 mm