Hey @myday! Thanks so much for the contest and making me third place, I am honored.
As to your critique, I want to add two points: 1) Yes, a vertical crop of the right monk would have been the more "perfect" and "conventional" shot. I totally agree. 2) However, I like the person in the center becasue while the two monks in front appear to be "sure" and strict about what they think, the one in the back looks at them in a kind of doubting way. To me, that is what makes the picture more than a normal portrait, it makes it a statement about religion.
And that is not my work, I was just really lucky, just pointed the camera and shot. So, I agree, it is imperfect, but the imperfection makes it a more "speaking" picture in my taste. And again, I dont wanna blow my own trumpet, everyone with a digicam could have done it.
Anyways, I really like that you take your time and say something about the pictures, this way we can have a productive dialogue! Thank you!