When Burmese boys turn nine, they often start a period of monkhood as white-robed novices. Some will remain in the monkhood for just a few months. Most leave before they turn 20. Carrying their rice bowls, these novices are lining up along with monks for their daily meal at Amaraura's Mahagandhayon Monastery.

Over a thousand monks and novices participate in this lunchtime ritual. I create mood and atmosphere here based on contrast and repetition. I chose to anchor the image with the novices who become larger in scale and more detailed because of where I choose to stand. They become the subject and the monks become the context. I also contrast white to red, and innocence to maturity. The young monks are a bit more restless, and look in various directions, while most of the monks seem to be more patient. The light flows through the trees, casting highlights on some of the faces, and subduing others in shadow. The atmosphere is calm; the mood is one of acceptance.

How I structure this image has created much of its mood and atmosphere. The scene is essentially a portrayal of repetition and conformity, as both red and white robed people flow diagonally through my frame. The fact that so many people are simultaneously behaving in essentially the same way also speaks of discipline and order, both of which are emotional states of mind associated with monkhood.