Author: rainbow

2018

Myanmar Part 3

18 November 2018

Myanmar Part

1. 22 April 2018 Nikon D3s iso 6400 28mm f5.6 1/60sec Nikon 24-70mmf2.8

Myanmar Part

2. Nikon D750 iso 3200 130mm f5.6 1/125sec 70-200mm f4

Myanmar Part

3. Nikon D750 iso6400 160mm f5.6 1/160sec

Comments

Blog 2018

We were staying at Loikaw which is the capital of the Kayah State. The purpose of tourist visits here is to see the Padaung women or long neck woman. I wanted to see them as well and photograph them but was mindful of treating them like novelties in an amusement park. In Thailand at Chiang Mai you can visit them at a refugee camp. You pay them some money for the photograph and this is a very artificial experience. At least in Myanmar we are at their real home.

We asked the guide what was the most appropriate way to help them. He arranged for us to take clothes washing powder and food to the village. I noticed at the village that the women had snap shots of themselves on the wall given by tourists and they were quite proud of them. That made me feel better. They didn’t mind having their photos taken and it did bring income to the village as tourist buy their wares.

So I tried to photograph the ladies in the most respectful way and also decided at the time to send them some photos once I processed them. I also arranged at the hotel for them to receive the prints and the guide to collect the prints for the women. In Wellington I got 10 x 8 inch enlargements made , laminated the prints and sent them to Myanmar. I hope the ladies received them as I haven’t heard from the guide!

Padaung Women

1. 22 April 2018 Nikon D750 iso400 200mm f5.6 Nikon 70-200mmf4

Padaung Women

2. 26 April 2018 Nikon D750 iso1250 70mm f5.6 1/200sec Nikon 70-200mm f4

Padaung Women

3. Nikon D750 iso2200 190mm f5.6 1/200sec

Padaung Women

4. 22 April 2018 Nikon D750 iso6400 200mm f5.6 1/160sec

Padaung Women

5. Nikon D750 iso6400 200mm f5.6 1/160sec

Padaung Women

6. Nikon D750 iso 6400 200mm f5.6 1/160sec

Comments

Blog 2018

Inle Lake

22 September 2018

I was last in Burma 32 years ago on a five day tour as that was all that was allowed those days.

I had fond memories of the one leg rowers and the naturalness of the scenery.

We stayed at a hotel of my sisters recommendation as it was perched on the lake with great views. The food at the hotel was the best we had (western style) in our whole journey.

I had a chance to try the wine from the local vineyard. Sauvignon Blanc(SB). Those people who know my drinking habits know I am not a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, but I do appreciate a good one. I am from Marlborough – the biggest SB wine exporter in NZ. Verdict….. drinkable and it tasted like a bland SB but without the cats pee and gooseberry. Glad I only ordered a glass, pass the beer please.

I read comments online that Inle lake is too touristy, and the tours are spent going to various shops. A bit like I have experienced in China. However the difference is that it was among the peoples natural surroundings and there was no hard sales or pushyness. This presented me with more photo opportunities than the enclosed fluorescent lit rooms with a security guard on the outside!

The leg rowers were a challenge though. Most photos of them are posed at sunset and their body positions do not represent normal fishing practices. They do this for a donation which we didn’t mind helping them. I also tried to capture them doing their everyday thing and also record the natural activities on the lake. They even grow tomatoes on the lake-pass the ketchup.

Apparently they are in the process of building another 60 (!) hotels around the lake.

So get there before it even gets more commercialised, but hopefully not more polluted !

Inle Lake