A selection of photos from SE Asia during my period of traveling from 2002 through 2008. Since I’m no longer really taking photos, but can’t let go of the blog, I thought I’d use this from now on as more of a record of past experiences.
The pictures from Thailand are from Ayutthaya, a former Thai capital. The woman in the shrine holding up the flower is in Ubud, Bali; the figures descending the stairs from the temple with the boar statue outside, the painter and the geese (sorry, shameless HCB reference) likewise. This last one was taken using infrared film.
This photograph has a special place in my heart, because of what it meant in terms of my practice of photography. It was taken in 2007, the second time I had visited Bali. I had gone there to meet my partner, who was traveling back to the UK after a year-long stint studying ceramics in Japan.
We were staying in a small hotel in a room on the first floor (British) overlooking the gardens, in which there was a small shrine. This young lady was performing a morning Hindu ritual; I snapped a couple of shots from the balcony but knew that this scene was too beautiful to be satisfied with that far a remove. I rushed downstairs.
This was the only shot I from the ground floor. It was with a Leica and a 1950s collapsible summicron. The lighting was complicated because it was a bright morning but the shrine was in shade. I was extremely careful with the composition, waiting for the optimum moment as the woman’s posture changed, and I knew that if she noticed me and looked up, the moment would be gone forever. I took the photo before she noticed, but the sound of the shutter alerted her. She looked up, smiled, and thanked me. It should have been me thanking her.
The fact that everything came together, as well as the good-natured manner of the woman, is the reason this photo is so special to me.
I should also note that I have printed it many times before in the darkroom, but the flare of the old lens and the complicated lighting has always made it a difficult negative to print. With the digital scan I have been able to get an image closer to how I remember it, compared to the prints. Just saying.
Anonymous says
Yes, that Bali photograph is ethereal, amongst the stonework. Great job. I look forward every time to new posts. Cheers!
carylon says
Anonymous, is that you?
Ingrid says
Sad to hear you’re no longer taking photos Paul but I’m glad you can’t let the blog go! I love living through your pictures… Thailand has always been on my list of places to see 😊