Padaung Women

20 November 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!

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

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

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

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

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

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