Hi TS,
My takes on this particular picture ...
I felt that the picture would be better if the tress were not part of the composition such that distractions are being removed. Also, the statue of the Buddha if placed in the center of the picture to create a balance. Lighting wise, unless the intention is to create a silhouette effect, the picture is definitely incorrectly exposed.
There are a few ways to create a picture that reflects a sense of peace. The facial expressions of Buddha is often a depiction of peace and serenity. Another alternative would be to compose the subject (in this case here the Buddha statue) with peaceful surroundings like bamboo forests, mountains .. etc.
I was in Hong Kong recently too and took a couple of pictures of the 大佛 too. I was also trying to create pictures to reflect the "Greatness" and "Serenity" of this religious image that is oneof the key source of faith for the Chinese people of Hong Kong. If you don't mind (would removed it at your request), below are 3 pictures taken while at Nong Ping, Lantau Island.
(1) I used the people climbing up the stairs for 2 purposes. First to show devotions and their demonstration of faith to climb uphill to pay their homage and secondly, to show the size of the Buddha statue as compared to the devotees. Timing of the shot was not favorable. It was already evening and a bit of a dull sky when I compose this picture near the entrance to the stairways.
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The second picture and third picture was while we took the cable car up and I saw the picture of the Buddha sitting with the sparse background of mountains. I quite like the effect and though it was shot behind glass, it gives a peaceful impression. Personally, i felt the 3rd picture below has a more peaceful effect.
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No intention to over sensationalize my own pics and I hope TS, you really do not mind me posting my own pics here. Just thought of sharing the little bit of knowledge that I picked up along the way. Photography is a journey and the more we observed, shared and shoot, the better we become over time.
Cheers
Daniel