Three Images That Came to Mind

So I randomly asked myself today, out of the blue, what are the three images that I have taken which I am very happy with, and would be proud to show people who will be seeing my photos for the first time?

I know that if I put more thoughts into selecting my images by going through my archives I would take days to answer that question. However, if I were to mentally select 3 images that came to mind in 2 minutes, I came up with the following three images.

I thought, hey why not show you guys these images, and discuss them?

Deepavali

E-PL5, 17mm F1.8, 

Holi Festival

E-5, 50-200mm F2.8-3.5

Thaipusam

E-M5 Mark II, 40-150mm F2.8 PRO

There are the interesting facts about these selected images:

1) They were all taken during Indian cultural and tradition-related festivals. The girl with the candle was taken during festival of lights (Deepavali), the color painted faces was shot during festival of colors (Holi Festival) and lastly, the water splashed praying boy was taken during Thaipusam, a huge Hindu celebration during beginning of the year. I am very fortunate for all these beautiful festivals take place in Malaysia too. 

2) While I generally favor the use of longer focal lengths (second and third photographs were taken with super telephoto lenses, 50-200mm F2.8-3.5 and 40-150mm F2.8 PRO respectively), the first image was taken with a focal length which is not my favourite, the 17mm F1.8 lens. Though I find difficulty composing shots with this perspective, somehow this shot of the girl lighting the candles on the floor in a dark hall has remained stuck in my mind for a long time. 

3) These shots were not perfect. What I meant to say was, I could have done better, technically to get better images. The first image, Deepavali, I have accidentally used high ISO 3200, which was not necessary, as I could have gone away with ISO800. For the second shot, the moment was not the "peak" or "decisive". There was a better photo of the girls at their highest "high" laughter, but that image was out of focus (I do not blame the camera, I was too slow to react) and the resulting captured image was the next best thing after that best moment. Third image, it was not easy to get the boy to be in focus through the walls of water splashes, I decided to take the easy way out and focus on the front (water) instead. What, why can't I be lazy, sometimes?

4) All these three images have been published in local Malaysian photography magazines. 

5) Why are these my personal favourites? This is not an easy question to answer. Despite the imperfections, and many would argue I have many better shots than these (which is subjective and I am open to your comments), To me, I just look at my images based on emotions. I know, I know, all the master of photography would ask us to disconnect ourselves from emotions as we view our photographs and not let our feelings as we react to our own photographs cloud our judgement.  I have read somewhere recently that Art is the shadow of humanity. How can we not see humanity through emotions? Our emotions make us human, and if my photographs can evoke these said emotions, then I'd say I have successfully imprinted some content of art through my photography. These three photographs? They speak to me emotionally. At least to me. 

What do you guys think of these three images? Please do let me know! After all, like many of you here, I am also a learning photographer.