Photography Tips: Thailand Photo Competition

If one has visited a photo exhibition in Thailand, it is evident that a large majortiy of the pictures will be either of Buddhism, Buddhist monks or Buddha.

Lanna Archetecture

I participated in a photo competition sponsored by Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) Chiang Mai and IPOT. Each day for 5 days a new subject was given. They were:

• February 3 : Thai Architecture
• February 4 : Flowers of Lanna
• February 5 : Landscape
• February 6 : Lifestyle
• February 7: Street Photography
  

  Fruits as Flowers. Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2012

Notice that none of the subjects are related to Buddhism, Buddhist monks or Buddha, or that is what I thought:

However the winner is>>>>>>>>>Monks praying at a Wat Suthep.

Yep folks, 4 of the 9 chosen winners were of Buddhism, Buddhist monks or Buddha.

Check out the winners.

ipot.thaiphoto.net/?p=499

Moral of the story. Know thy competition. In Thailand, no matter what the theme of the competition, submit a picture of buddhists monks or a temple.

Wan Pantao Asaha Bucha 2012

For more pictures, visit my gallery at: http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/galleries

Photography Tips: Get Out and Shoot – No Ego

Reflections. 1/125, F 5.6, ISO 1600

I had to go to the USA for a few days. I decided to take my Olympus E-PM1. Each morning at 6AM I went to a nature reserve to take sunrise/early morning pictures.

Deer staring down an Egret. 1/100s, f 5.6, ISO 1600

I admit the Olympus E-PM1 with a 14-42mm lens is not an ideal camera for nature photography, not to mention birding. It is still a better camera than what was available to photographers 60 years ago.

Since it was early or dark in the woods, I needed to up the ISO to 1600. I felt this was the highest possible usable setting for the Olympus. I held the camera against a tree for all the pictures except the geese flying. There I had set it down in a blind.

Geese 6:47 take-off. 1/80, F 5.6, ISO 800

Why no ego? When one is going out to shoot, there will probably be other photographers around with better cameras and longer lenses. One morning I saw photographers with 600mm, 400mm and other ultra zoom lenses. That will always be the case. What is important is that I was out with my camera, enjoying a beautiful morning and with the hope of catching “THE SHOT”.

 Moral of blog. There is never a better time, place, camera or light than the present. If the pictures do not turn out, learn from the experience. Then go out again. Get better, not an EGO.

Hey don’t shoot. 1/6s, F 5.6, ISO 1600

 Get out and shoot.

For more pictures, visit my gallery at: http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/galleries

Photo GPS

When I mention to fellow photographers that I am taking a GPS unit (Sony GPS-CS3) with me, I am usually given the reply:  “What for”? The answer for me is obvious. So I can record where we went and where I took my pictures.

Amongst others, I am a “travel photographer”. I have taken pictures in numerous countries,    but until recently without GPS. When asked where was this picture taken, I can usually remember or refer to the file name. Now with Mr. Google Maps or similar programs, it is possible to show where. 

I use my elephant pictures as a perfect example. There are quite a number of elephant camps around Chiang Mai. Which one our tourist guide arranged for us was a mystery. However with GPS I was able to find it.

The picture featured next is not anything special. For me though it has enormous meaning. The picture was taken at GPS Coordinates 18°47’32” N 98°33’7″ E. If one looks at the location on Google Maps,  one will see it is in the middle of nowhere.  We were not technically lost, since our other GPS unit knew exactly where we were, however this was not a “road”. In the end we covered 40km in 4.5 hours and were lucky that was all.

The main problem with using GPS for pictures is the workflow. Most digital “travel” cameras shoot only .jpeg. The coordinates are integrated automatically in the exif data. That is easy. However, if you shoot RAW, good luck. With my sony unit I have to: a.) Download the photos to the computer. b.) Process the photos and create .jpeg. files c.)  Launch the Sony software to link the .jpeg to the gps file.  A real time consuming process.

Moral of the story: It is alot of extra work to have a Canon and use GPS. However, it is an added plus if you are a travel photographer. On my upcoming trip to India I am looking forward to using GPS.

For more pictures, visit my gallery at: http://photobyphm.smugmug.com/galleries

Thaipusam Singapore 2012

Zermatt – Matterhorn October 2012

Photography Tips For Chiang Mai, Thailand

As a temporary resident of Chiang Mai, I am amazed to see the number of world renown photographers holding workshops here. I realized I must take advantage of this situation and share some of the sites I like to visit to photograph:

Favorites:

• Wat Chedi Luang
• Wat Phantao (candle light meditation the night of major buddhist holidays)
• Wat Srisusphan (the silver Temple)
• Wat Suan Dok
• Wat Suthep (at night)
• Buddhist monks at 06:00 for the morning alms round
• Terra Cotta Garden
• Elephant Camps
• Muay Thai practice
• Katoey Cabaret
• Chiang Mai Walking Street : Every Sunday from 18:00 – 22:30 aprox. If you want to avoid the crowds go at 17:00 when the stands are setting up
• San Patong Buffalo market  – Saturday mornings from 06:00 – 11:00
• Loy Kratong : November 24-29, 2012
• Songkran : April 13-15, 2013
• Chiang Mai Flower Festival : February 1 -3, 2013
• Central Airport Plaza: Saturdays and Sundays it is an absolute madhouse with activities for young adults

Did I forget something? 

For my Chiang Mai Favorites Gallery click here Philip Meier Photography