Photo essay: Carrying a heavy load, Asia’s hard working women.
Carrying heavy loads…
“These Women have become the bread winners
and support for their families.”
India - road construction, hard work but smiling faces
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During my travels in Asia I am amazed, shocked and in disbelieve when I encountered women carrying heavy loads or doing some extremely hard labor.
I’ve saw them performing task that made my hair stand up; young teens in Myanmar carrying wet sand in baskets up the Ayeyarwady River banks unloading barges all day long, while others walking as it were nothing with stacks of clay pots on their head plus what ever they could carry with their hands.
Tasks, they perform every day.
Myanmar 2013 - young teens unloading and moving the very heavy
wet sand for construction
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In India, women breaking rocks for gravel along the road or digging holes next to sand dunes in the Thar Desert in extreme heat, while others work hard all day in the fields. Not to mention the everyday task in getting water from distance wells to their households, sometimes involving long walks with a heavy load.
On the Island of Bali, women carry huge loads with offerings and take them to their temples of worship, balancing the heavy loads with ease on their heads. Or in Bhutan when I saw this old lady moving a "mountain" of wood, hard work under very harsh conditions.
Bhutan - moving a "mountain" of wood
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I have great respect for these women and the reason for my post today; photos of women (teens and children are no exception) I encountered while traveling through different parts of Asia, but lets not forget also those others, working in appalling conditions in Garment factories or other manufacturing areas.
It is their part of life, unfortunately they have no other choice, amazingly most of them doing it with a smile…
GD
Sri Lanka - picking tea with a smile.
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Myanmar 2013 - working hard at a pottery
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Nepal - harsh conditions and a heavy load
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India - a quick chat along the road
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Sri Lanka - the basket is empty now, but later she bring the heavy load up the hill.
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Nepal - all the weight is on the head
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India - Only women...road construction and collecting fire wood
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Nepal - Kathmandu - just another heavy load
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Bali Indonesia - going home after a hard days work in the field
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Myanmar/Burma - supplying households with water from wells
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Bali Indonesia - perfect balance
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Myanmar/Burma 2013-This pretty 16 year old teen carrying the extremely heavy
wet sand in a woven baskets up the Ayeyarwady River bank.
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Myanmar/Burma - just amazing
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Nepal - children collecting useable items from the garbage along the road.
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Nepal - up hill with a heavy load
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Nepal - carrying an extreme load
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Myanmar/Burma 2013 - A 16 year old teen
carrying wet sand up the river bank all day.
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Thar Desert - India - digging holes for rain water
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Rajasthan - India - getting drinking water from a Well.
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Just one more…
I case you’ve missed it, an interesting Interview that I had recently with the ArtBookGuy from New York, check it out at this LINK or click the banner.
Photography: Two minutes interval and a split second, the beauty about natural light.
“I love the simplicity in Nature” - GD
One afternoon during my recent trip to Cambodia (March 2013) I spotted this old, almost forgotten boat at the outer moat at Angkor Wat.
It was getting late and it didn’t look like to be a great sunset at this amazing historical site, but then I caught a glimpse of this old boat resting at the edge of the outer moat that surrounds Angkor Wat.
Subtle clouds and sky reflecting in the water, surrounding the boat in an ever fast changing light.
It didn’t take very long before the afternoon beauty had disappeared completely, but I got my images in an ever changing natural light.
I guess visitors to Angkor Wat that afternoon left disappointed since there was no real magic sunset over the main Khmer Temple, everybody walked right past the real beauty, except for me.
"I am blessed since birth with the very best and most technologically
advanced camera on earth... my Eyes." - GD
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Time: 5:48:27
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Time: 5:50:39
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Time: 5:52:09
Split second…
“Be ready when the Light is right…you have only seconds,
but this is the moment that counts.”
- GD
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The image above was taken on the way to Battambang, Cambodia about a year ago when I spotted these children playing in the rice fields.
It was very late already and the sun was just about to disappear, we stopped the car and I managed to get a few frames catching this boy playing with a ball in the last light of the day.
A split second…and one frame only.
"Light is Photography… photography is light." - GD
Fine art and signed limited edition high photographic quality prints are available upon request or via my Photo Shelter Gallery (see the LINK below) perfect for office or home decor.
View more images here taken in natural light and amazing reflections on water or land.
Photography: Grease and heavy metal, veering away from the norm in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Something a bit different from Cambodia;
Grease and Heavy Metal… the story behind the photos.
I have been traveling to Cambodia for over 20 years now, covering the amazing ancient Khmer ruins, the rural life of the beautiful Cambodian people and discovering new sites deep in the jungle.
We all know and seen those images of ancient Khmer temples, pagodas, old women selling their incense and orange robed Monks walking the streets.
So I decided during my recent trip to Phnom Penh to veer away from the norm since I had a couple days of R&R.
Don’t get me wrong, I love all those Khmer ruins and rural areas dearly and I shall continue my search for the unknown or try to discover yet the undiscovered.
But this time I needed a break from the usual… during my previous visits to Phnom Penh I drove past these workshops that are scattered all over town and I thought to myself… I must get my teeth into those areas one day.
Having just completed a long Photo Tour/Workshop in Myanmar and right after 2 more in Cambodia, the last one was more on Aperture 3, I was now ready for a good break.
But knowing myself… I can’t sit still for too long and after a day’s rest I did what I been putting off for a long time, having a crack at those off the beaten track, definitely non tourist areas in the side streets of Phnom Penh.
I previously observed also that the afternoon light was key for this exercise; I hired a Tuk Tuk, told the sort of English speaking driver where to go, grabbed just one camera with my favorite 50mm lens and off I went.
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It was amazing… getting right into the action at these workshops, the afternoon light filtering through those simple but yet effective work areas. It was really Grease and Heavy Metal all the way.
The objective; showing working Cambodians in their environment and on most occasions I had no problems getting the images.
Some of the workers were shy to have their photo taken; others were only to happy and even put on a show for me.
But now and then I was ask also very politely by the big boss to move on… I wonder what their “secret” was, or were there some items hidden deep in the corners, not meant to be for my eyes. I guess I never know, or I might discover it next time around.
If you ever been to the Russian market in Phnom Penh and thought wow…then think again… these heavy semi industrial areas are super impressive, we’re talking about the real big stuff and tons of it, rows and rows of massive gearboxes, mountains of springs, complete old truck chassis stacked up to the roof… I can go on and on.
(BTW: The Russian Market (Psar Toul Tom Poung in Khmer), in the southern part of Cambodia’s capital city, got its name from its popularity among Russian expatriates in the 1980s)
Using the word from the Aperture software “stacking” is about the right description for some of these places. I never seen anything like it and one starts to wonder how all of these piles/stacks hold together or even finding anything.
I know, at least with Aperture it just works perfect; after editing thousand’s of photos recently I had nothing heavy fell on top of me.
There were mechanics covered in grease, junk shops beyond your imagination, new & used spare parts, any type of tools and engines, earth moving equipment, US military jeeps, trucks and tuk tuk parts, bikes & scrap metal... I am sure if you can’t find it in Phnom Penh then you never find it anywhere else.
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I only scratched the surface during my 3 day “break” but continue when I return to Phnom Penh later this year, a fascinating area and a great way shooting with very little equipment, the 50mm was just perfect.
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This time I certainly veered away from my norm in Phnom Penh … but loved every bit of it!
GD
Photography: Bizarre, interesting and utterly weird images from my last Journey in November 2012
First things first… A Very Happy, Colorful & Peaceful
New Year to YOU all.
Prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun
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Almost in one day… I got the "Beatles in a Sexy Street" a Condom Machine, well that was another day in my small home town. A crooked House, yellow footprints, homeless people, colorful Graffiti, an Octopus on the wall and the saddle-less push bike in Paris…
2012 is gone and we’re already two days into 2013 and this is my first Blog post for the year.
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A Sexy Bus Stop in Hamburg, Germany
The last two-month in 2012 had been very hectic to say the least, traveling to Germany and later to France for my Exhibition. (running until the end of February)
I had very little time for photography on this trip but like to share with you some interesting, bizarre and weird images that crossed my path during my stay in Germany and Paris.
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The "crooked" Building by Architect Rizzi, Braunscheig Germany,
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Strange but true… A Condom Machine hanging on an outside wall in the streets of the
small town Koenigslutter. Note the sign high above; meaning this is a One-way Street.
NO… I did NOT put the small bottle of Vodka there.
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Yellow footprints on the footpath, this is supposed to help children to watch out for traffic on this blind corner of the street before crossing the road. Koenigslutter, Germany.
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Bizarre…in an Alley way on the Reeperbahn, the red-light district of Hamburg, Germany. 
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"Sexy"…text read… please keep the garage entry open Day and Night. Reeperbahn, Hamburg, Germany
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This is where it all started… the Beatles Platz on the Reeperbahn,
St Pauli, Hamburg Germany.
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Weird wall painting on the streets, Reeprbahn Hamburg Germany
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The small sign in front of the man reads... Schaefer ohne arbeit…shepherd without work…Braunscheig, Germany.
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Bizarre…"camping" in front of the sex shops at the Reeperbahn,
Hamburg Germany
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Weird…Express Teller Machine with a Pole dancer…
now that is a good one…
Hamburg, Germany.
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Waiting for it? Or did he got a hangover from the party the night before?
The yellow sign says…80th and 90th Party,
Hamburg Germany.
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An Octopus on the wall… Hamburg Germany.
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Interesting…In Paris they make sure they don't steal your Push Bike, by not only locking the bike but also taken the saddle off for good measures…try and riding this one with out it… he, he.
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We also updated our Photo Tour and Workshop Site changed and listed some very interesting Journeys for 2013 in the Calendar.
Our first two Photo Tours to Burma/Myanmar and Cambodia starting in February are fully booked now and I am really looking forward to meet new participants and see familiar faces again.
This time we have participants from Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, USA, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
We start in Burma by mid February with two separate tours and after a few weeks I continue to Cambodia with two special Photo Tours back to back. By middle of February I am very much out of touch for some six weeks, so please forgive me if my Blogs, FB entries will be very thin during that time.
Plus I have to squeeze in a trip to Palawan and Boracay Island in the Philippines, I guess not a bad start for the
New Year.
GD
Travel Photography Cambodia: The story behind the photos, a remarkable woman called Chea Samy
The story behind the photos… a remarkable woman called Chea Samy, the survival of traditional Khmer Dance in Cambodia.
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Traditional Khmer dancer outside at the Royal Performing Hall
at the Phnom Penh Grand Palace, Cambodia.
This post is about a remarkable woman whom I meet in Cambodia exactly 20 years ago, it is also my last post for 2012. Still busy with all the arrangements for our upcoming tour to Myanmar and Cambodia in February and March.
1992… the Mekong River… on assignment for Animan Magazine; traveling through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia for some 3 month following the Mekong River where ever possible.
…I arrived on a hot humid day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; it was the same day the United Nations Peace keeping forces swarmed in from all over the world, trying to stabilize the war ravaged but ever so beautiful Country.
I was still on my Mekong trip but now found myself right in the middle of all this chaos and UN berets, I had completed Thailand and Laos, now it was Cambodia where the mighty Mekong River is part of everyday life. The next stop was Vietnam by road from Phnom Penh but that is another story. BTW…the Mekong story got published a few month later and became a 24-page article in Animan Magazine.
Hanging around those days was a very different story, it was almost like “Wild West” in the streets of Phnom Penh with Pol Pot still hiding deep in the Cambodian Jungle. Besides the country was littered with land mines and venturing out in the countryside was a high risk factor.
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Traditional Khmer carvings APSARA can be found at Angkor Wat
and many other Khmer Temple Ruins in Cambodia.
Part of my Mekong River story was to capture also the traditional and culture aspect; places the Mekong touched on his long Journey and this is how I found this truly remarkable women in Phnom Penh.
Her name was Chea Samy… dedicating her time to the traditional form of Khmer dances, unfortunately Chea passed away some years ago but she will be long remembered for her passion and dedication to Khmer Art.
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Chea Samy, preparing one of the traditional Khmer dancers at
the Royal Performing Hall at the Phnom Penh Grand Palace, Cambodia.
Chea Samy was a teacher before Pol Pot arrived, but went into hiding as a vegetable vendor during the horrific times of the Pol Pot regime that had no tolerance for Intellectuals or for the art in Cambodia.
Having survived the horrific years of Pol Pot, Chea was instrumental in reviving the traditional Khmer dancers.
I meet her in an old damaged school house where she was teaching the Khmer Dances, at the time Chea was the only surviving person who could teach these traditional dances.
I took some photos but thought it would be nice to see them also perform again at the Grand Palace adding the grace to their almost forgotten art.
So I went to work… after three days of red tape and countless discussions I finally got permission from the Ministry to photograph this group of dancers with Chea Samy at the Royal Palace.
When I told Chea the news a few days later a big smile crossed her face and she beamed with joy.
Though Chea Samy has since passed away the APSARA Arts Association is still very active in preserving traditional arts in Cambodia, an important part of Cambodia's Culture and rich History.
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I felt extremely privileged been treated to more then
just one exceptional performance that day
at the Grand Palace Royal performance Hall…
a day I always will remember.
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One of the dancers at the Grand Palace in 1992.
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It was the very first time after the fall of the Pol Pot Regime that these girls performed
in the Royal Dancing Hall at the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh.
Traditional Khmer Dances – it takes 6 years to learn and 9 years to perfect for these amazing and beautiful dancing skills.
It was the very first time that these girls performed in the Royal Dancing Hall of the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh after the notories Pol Pot Regime. …a first for them and me.
GD
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It takes 6 years to learn and 9 years to perfect these dancing skills. Not only for their movement but also in understanding the meaning of all the different dances that date back to the ancient Khmer Empire.
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The very first time these girls performed in the Royal
Dancing Hall of the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh
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At dusk in 1992,
the Royal Dancing Hall of the Grand Palace in Phnom Penh
NOTE: All photos taken with Kodachrome Film.
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If you interested and like to discover the undiscovered with me in Cambodia, Myanmar/Burma or some other Asian destinations please check our Adventure Travel Photo Tours on our Calendar for 2013.
Note: Cambodia special Photo Tour for 8 participants only in late 2013.
For more Info CLICK HERE
Combining 55 years of experience… 35 years of Photography and 20 years traveling through out Cambodia and other Asian Countries. Gunther has not only produced numerous articles for international Magazines but he knows also the right locations at the right time of the day.
We guarantee that you get the quality time you need on each and every destination with Gunther and his team.
____________________________________
To my family, my friends, Photo workshop participants, supporters & readers
thanks for all your support over all these years.
Cheers Gunther
Wishing YOU all Merry Christmas
& a colorful HAPPY 2013.
Photography: November madness… Photo Exhibition in Paris, Aperture 3 tutorials in Hamburg plus a lot more.
Late Autumn... November "Madness" 2012
Late Autumn, Koenigslutter, am Elm,
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Last November has been very hectic with some private/personal and very exclusive Photography and Aperture 3 tutorials in the Philippines and Germany and of course my Solo Photo Exhibition in Paris, France at the end of the month.
It was in early November; and it all started with a personal Photography trip for a couple of my clients from the US and Thailand in the Mt. Pinatubo Volcano area including some serious Aperture 3 training.
After one week and only one day to spare I left for Germany; here I visited my hometown and then took the train to Hamburg for some scheduled meetings with Magazine editors and yet another private session on Aperture 3.
Right outside my Hotel - Hamburg, Germany Nov. 2012
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Big thanks to my good friend Mojan who made some of my travel arrangements in Germany and traveled all the way from Duesseldorf to Hamburg just to catch up with me.
I also caught up with my good old buddy and exceptional Photo Editor Klaus Plaumann from CEPIC Center of the Picture Industry, had a great dinner together and chatted about the good old days.
iPhone memories, with Klaus Plaumann and Mojan in Hamburg, Germany and Jacques in Paris
After a few days in Hamburg I left for Paris for my solo Photo Exhibition; Les Voyages de Gunther Deichmann, a great event and the Exhibition will run until the end of February 2013.
My sincere thanks to Jacques, Pierre and Sarah from ANA Agency who worked so hard during the last few days prior the opening. Besides making last minute arrangements in the Gallery I got spoiled with good French wine and food during my stay… oh how I miss this already… oh well, my favorite hangout in Manila the Cave Wine Bar in Yakal street is not so far away…
Les Voyages de Gunther Deichmann, Paris France 2012
20 carefully selected and special images from Australia, Myanmar/Burma, Spain, Germany, Philippines, Palau, Cambodia and India.
Collage: Some of the Prints on display and signing the limited
edition prints 1/9
The opening of the Exhibition was great with lots of interesting people attending including Editors from some major French Magazines. I made new friends and connected with some cool people from the photo and publishing industry.
It was during opening night when the Editor from the French Geo Magazine approached and handed me fresh of the press the December 2012 Issue of Geo Histoire featuring a double page spread of one of my images.
Now the evening was complete…
The double page in the December 2012 Issue of Geo Histoire, article on Buddhism
While having breakfast the following morning at my Hotel I received an email that one of my images made the cover of the Asian Geographic Passport Magazine in Singapore, including a 10 page article with my images and text by Carmela Cruz on Micronesia.
This morning news developed later into a nice French lunch with Jacques, at our by now well visited Restaurant near the agency.
Of course with the wine not far off…
Cover of the December 2012 issue of Asian Geographic Passport Magazine Singapore, and a 10 page article on Micronesia. 
Opening spread of 10 page article in Asian Geographic Passport Magazine Dec. 2012
I actually had very little time for photography during the entire trip but I did managed to squeeze in a few images during my stay in Germany and France, and one of them made it into the exhibition, a last minute call after Jacques sternly insisted on it.
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A Willow Tree reflecting in a Pond during Autumn, Koenigslutter, Germany, taken only days before the Exhibition and the last call by Jacques to include it.
The Exhibition consists of 18 carefully selected images from Australia, Myanmar/Burma, Spain, Germany, Philippines, Palau, Cambodia and India and will be on display until the end of February at
GALLERY ANA - NOV. 29th 2012 until Feb. 2013, 6 avenue René Coty 75014 Paris, France.
They are available as Limited Edition signed prints 1/9 only; print sizes from 45x67 cm
and 50x70 cm.
Printed in exceptional archival quality, the prints are available also after the exhibition via ANA Agency online order but only 1/9. No more then 9 in total will be printed, the complete selection and pricing will be announced on my website in due time.
Please note that we have already updated my main web site with pdf files from the recent publications and the Paris Exhibition.
Thank You Paris!
It was a hectic November for sure, but I am also happy to be back now with my family, they saw very little of me the past two month.
December is still very busy and on February 19th our Adventure Photo Workshop Tour starts in Myanmar. And right after Myanmar we have our very special exploratory trip to Cambodia for a very small group only.
FYI…Myanmar is fully booked since October and we have only one more spot for Cambodia.(small group for only 5 participants)
But check below for other amazing Journey's in our 2013 Calendar.
For more information, bookings and dates please see our International Adventure, Travel Photo Workshop Tours ASIA Calendar 2013.
GD
Myanmar-Nepal Adventure Travel Photo Workshops in 2013
Final and confirmed schedules for our February & March 2013
Adventure Travel Photo Workshops to Myanmar and Nepal
Myanmar-Nepal 2013
Adventure Travel Photo Workshops
MYANMAR
Yangon - Bagan - Mandalay - Inle Lake - Yangon - Mawlamein and Hpa An - Yangon
Feb. 19 - Mar 03, 2013
Optional:
USD 2985 ( 9 nights / 10 days)
USD 3485 (12 nights / 13 days)
Feb. 19 - 21: Yangon
21 - 24: Bagan
24 - 26: Mandalay
26 - 28: Inle Lake (on the 26th experience the Full Moon with festivals and a Moon rise over Inle Lake)
28 - (end of 9 nights)
28 - Yangon
Mar. 01 - 02: Yangon to Mawlamein and Hpa An)
03 - (Yangon Departure)
NEPAL
Kathmandu - Pokahara - Kathmandu
Mar. 5 - Mar. 15, 2013
Optional:
USD 2975 (11 nights / 12 days)
Mar. 05 - 08: Kathmandu
08 - 13: Pokahara
13 - 14: Kathmandu
15 - (Departure)
For more information and detailed Itineraries please contact me direct @ gdeichmann@mac.com
Travel Photography Asia: Patience, a bit of luck and magic Light in Cambodia
The Monsoon season can produce
some real magic light in Cambodia.
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Reflections on the way to the Tonle Sap, Cambodia
I keep my text brief today and rather let my images do the talking… taken over a three day period these photos are from some remote temple ruins and around the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia.
While going through my archives recently, preparing more images for PhotoShelter, I came across these photos from Cambodia taken in 2006. It was again during the Monsoon season when rain is never far off, but it is my favorite time for traveling in Cambodia when everything is lush green and so fresh after earlier rain showers during the late afternoon.
I like to mention also the photos of Buddhist Monks are NOT set up, I saw them wondering around in the Temple ruins, so I just waited at the right spot outside where the light worked well for me. My patience payed off… luck was on my side. It certainly helps if you know those places well and I could almost predict where they would reappear… lets face it, they could have also walked out at the other end and that would have been bad luck for me.
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Scooping up Algae for Duck feed on a small Pond near
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
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Simple life on the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
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The Tonle Sap bathing in the late afternoon light, Cambodia
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Buddhist Monk exploring the ruins from the ancient
Khmer Empire, Cambodia
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Late afternoon light in the temple Corridors, Cambodia
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Magic light at the Temples, Cambodia
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Patience payed off… Cambodia
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Remote and hidden ancient Khmer Temples, Cambodia
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The last light at ancient Khmer Temples, Cambodia
BTW…Non of the Images have been manipulated in Photoshop except for RAW conversion, straightening and some minor cropping within Aperture 3. These Photos and more now @ PhotoShelter
GD
Adventure Travel Photography… you can touch the clouds in Nakchu, Tibet
You can "touch" the clouds in Nakchu, northern Tibet
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Awesome landscapes on the way to Lake Namtso, Tibet
This festival is not for the faint- hearted, oxygen levels in Nakchu are approximately 61 percent and temperatures can range from 40 degrees Celsius at high noon to minus one degree Celsius in the early morning.
It all started in August 2006 when I decided that my upcoming Book was not going to be complete until I had ventured into Tibet and so we set off; my Son Mark-Lee and myself. It was an amazing Journey, four weeks cruising the high Tibetan Plateau passing Monasteries and awesome landscapes on the way…we took our time, stopping on the way and staying overnight in small guesthouses or in a Monastery, but our final goal was to reach the province of Nakchu.
After our time in the Nachu province we spend some time in Lhasa and after a few days ventured out again to other remote places within in reach of our permits. Yes, you do need permits, everything is strictly regulated and check points are a common sight.
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Monasteries reaching towards the sky…Tibet
For this post I have selected Images from my archives, photos that did not made it into the book "A Journey Through Color & Time."
There is just so much to see, learn the Buddhist way of life and if you ask me…four weeks is just a drop in the Ocean, I could spend a lifetime exploring this amazing country. Unfortunately it is not easy these days getting into Tibet due to the massive restrictions the Chinese Government has opposed upon Tibet, it is very sad and I feel deeply for the Tibetan people and I do miss my beautiful friends I met during this Journey with my son.
The text below is from a published article I wrote for the Asian Geographic Magazine
a few years ago, but now enjoy a little bit of Tibet...
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Storm approaching on the way to Lake Namtso, Tibet
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We visited some amazing Monasteries along the road….Tibet
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Walking clockwise inside the Monastery corridors, Tibet
Tibet’s province of Nakchu in Tibet hosts many festivals throughout the year, but one stands out more than any other; it is the highest horse racing festival in the world – a spectacle of color, festivities and endurance for participants and visitors alike.
Over 10,000 people will cross high passes of more than 4,000 meters by foot, horse and jeep to make their way to the Nakchu Racecourse, to race, eat, drink and make merry during this annual festival. This racecourse, at 4,500 meters, is undoubtedly the highest racecourse in the world.
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Tibetan Nomads near Lake Namtso, Tibet
But be warned – this festival is not for the faint-hearted – oxygen levels in Nakchu are approximately 61 percent and during the month of August, temperatures can soar up to 40 degrees Celsius in the shade at high noon and go right down to minus one degree Celsius in the early morning. There are few tourists in this area due to the high altitude – that and camping is the only accommodation available.
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On the way to Lake Namtso, we met this Tibetan Nomad family
Traversing the Lhasa-Nakchu-Golmud route along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway features landscapes of grasslands, snow-covered mountains and villages, with the occasional
view of the newly built railroad from China to Lhasa. It is an amazing journey and if you’re lucky, you just might encounter a prostrating pilgrim or two performing their ritual along the way. (we certainly did)
If you decide to travel to Nakchu, check with the local authorities or organize a local guide, then prepare yourself for extreme temperatures. Bear in mind that you are very close to the sun, and as mention you can almost touch the clouds, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and to lower the effects of altitude sickness.
Travelers should spend a few days in Lhasa to acclimatize to the altitude before hitting the road – when traveling from an altitude of 3,650 meters to Nakchu at 4,500 meters, everybody reacts differently so walk slowly and enjoy the festival; and before you get caught up in the spirit of the festival and decide to jump head first into one of the races, remember that Tibetans are used to this high altitude, you are NOT.
Crowded along Nakchu’s vast hillsides are the white tents of monks, pilgrims, Tibetan nomads, and city dwellers who have come, dressed in their colorful clothing and elaborate jewelry. After a grand opening ceremony, various recreational and trade activities such as horse or yak races, tug-of-war games, sgor-gzhas (a Tibetan group dance), and Tibetan operas will be on display for all.
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Skillful displays on horseback Nakchu, Tibet
Riders perform skillful displays on horseback, while women chat away in groups before their colorful dance; Buddhist Monks stroll the countryside with their prayer wheels, and others, inspired by the laughter and cheers from spectators. Partake in contests of stone-throwing, now these are not your normal stones, I had problems carrying my camera gear at this altitude but these guys oh boy… (see the photo below) and there is a tug-of-war as well, I was getting dizzy just watching these performances…
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Check out this stone-throwing Nakchu, Tibet
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Horse racing competition Nakchu, Tibet
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Local beauties during festival time at Nakchu, Tibet
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Dance performance during the Horse Racing festival Nakchu, Tibet
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Women wearing the most elaborate cloths during the festival in Nakchu, Tibet
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Tibetan women during the dance performance in Nakchu, Tibet
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Buddhist Monks during the festival at Nakchu, Tibet
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Tibetan women at Nakchu, Tibet
The festival lasts for four to five days, with activities held throughout, which makes one wonder where these locals get their energy from – performing these tasks are difficult enough at sea-level, much less at such high altitudes. However, if you aren’t too exhausted by the festival and still have some time to spare, then stop for a day or two at Lake Namtso-Chukmo, one of Tibet’s largest and most sacred saltwater lakes. Here, travelers can find basic accommodation – a pleasant break from the camping grounds of the horse-races and I might mention going to the toilet in the treeless country side.
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Tibetan Nomad and his Yaks at Lake Namtso, Tibet
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Lake Namtso, Tibet
At a height of 4,800 meters, the lake is 70-kilometers long and 30 km wide. It takes Buddhist pilgrims 18 days to complete
a korla, or circumnavigation, and is definitely a worthwhile visit for its sheer size and location. On the way back to Lhasa, travelers can catch a glimpse of the spectacular Nechentangla Mountain range with its 7,816 metre snow capped peaks, bringing a perfect end to this festival of a lifetime.
Now back to Lhasa...
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The Patola in Lhasa during a storm, Tibet
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Debating Monks at a Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet
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Debating Monks at a Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet
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"Shoton" in Tibetan means sour milk banquet. As Tibetan operas are performed and Buddha paintings are exhibited at this time, it is also called "Tibetan Opera Festival" or "Buddha Exhibition Festival." The traditional way of starting the Shoton Festival is to show Buddha paintings. The main contents include Tibetan operas and gala parties, Lhasa Tibet.
GD
More Photos from Tibet are on my PhotoShelter site
Please note: If you interested you can join our Photo workshops, unfortunately not to Tibet due to the restrictions at the moment but we have amazing Photo tours to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam for more details check our Calendar for 2012 & 2013 HERE.
Just one more…
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What a smile for a 78 year old Tibetan Nomad!
Travel Photography: Festivals, cremations, Sadhus and animal sacrifice plus updates on our Photo Workshop Tours in 2012.
The story behind the Photos… Water and a full moon festival,
cremations, Sadhus and animal sacrifice in Nepal.
After Sri Lanka and Bhutan I just finished my editing from my last trip in April 2012 to Nepal; I fell a bit behind with this one due to other urgent matters, but now the latest photos from this destination are in my PhotoShelter archives and galleries.
These are only few images on today’s post, all other photos you can view at my PhotoShelter site. I might also mention the Photos have been processed and edited using Aperture 3.3 using only the basic RAW conversion and adjustments with no other manipulation.
My recent visit to Kathmandu coincided with the full moon festival at the Boudhanath Stupa, the Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival and at Pashupati a lot of cremation took place at this time. Not to mention a visit to the “bizarre” and strange animal sacrifice rituals held twice a week at Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana.
There is never any shortage of things to shoot in this part of the world, when it comes to color and subjects. Sometimes it can be quiet difficult to decide and isolate your subjects, be it for a story or just for this one great image, there is always so much happen all around you and a lot of patience is required.
___________________________________
Lets start at Pashupati the local cremation area, a place I have visited many times before, there was a lot going on this time with scores of monkeys roaming around amongst the many cremations on this particular day.
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Cremations at Pashupati, Kathmandu, Nepal
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A Sadhus Mirror, Pashupati
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A body is prepared for Cremations at Pashupati,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Sacrifice at Pashupati temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
___________________________________
Then there was the Balaju mela Hindu bating festival were thousands of people worship all day long, passing along the water spouts offering rice, flowers and other items, creating an almost carnival atmosphere, yet another colorful spectacle.
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The long line at the water spouts, Balaju mela
Hindu bathing festival, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
___________________________________
At the full moon festival at the Buddanah stupa; the area also know as “Little Tibet”, here hundreds of Buddhist Monks from surrounding Monasteries gathered that day, a beautiful atmosphere and by nightfall the whole area was lit by butter lamps and candles.
Challenging photography but yet so very rewarding, especially when I got permission to get very close to the main prayer area at the base of the Buddanah Stupa with all the Buddhist Monks.
Later I wondered around through the ally's; vendors selling candles and other offerings and exploring in low light the base of the Stupa where the Butter Lamps been blessed and kept alight. A wonderful experience, a great evening with the pleasant smell of incense all around.
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Buddhist Monks at dusk, beginning of the full moon festival at the Buddanah stupa,
the area is also know as "Little Tibet" Kathmandu, Nepal
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Spinning the Prayer wheel just outside the Monastery
opposite the Buddanah stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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During the full moon festival
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During the full moon festival, Butter Lamps and candle light at the
base of the Buddanah stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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In the ally's during the full moon festival, near the
Buddanah stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Preparing the candles, Kathmandu, Nepal
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A more bizarre and not for the faint hearted, a strange ritual (not strange for the locals mind you) is been held twice a week about 2 hours drive from Kathmandu (all depends on traffic on this winding road) at Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana the animal sacrifice temple which is truly a “bloody” event.
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A chicken waiting for it's "turn" Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana
the animal sacrifice temple, Nepal 
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A Goat is sacrificed at Dakshinkall Bungamati,
Khokana the animal sacrifice temple, Nepal 
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Worship at Dakshinkall Bungamati,
Khokana the animal sacrifice temple, Nepal 
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After the worship and sacrifice a goat is prepared
in boiling water at Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana
the animal sacrifice temple, Nepal
___________________________________
All this happens during our last Photo Workshop: we arrived from Sri Lanka with a stop over in Nepal on the way to Bhutan. Then on the way back I did spend a few extra days in Kathmandu to intercept all those festivals, these extra few days were well spend and rewarding.
Of course I might as well mention all those other interesting places like: Bhaktapur (love this place) or the daily life in and around Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square, the traditional villages of Bugmati/Khokana Lolitpur or for just a warm-up on your first day you could stroll around the Thamel area with it's bustling street live, shops and restaurants.
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Colored powder used for rituals at Dakshinkall Bungamati,
Khokanathe animal sacrifice temple, Nepal
___________________________________
Our next trip to Nepal and this one will be very special in 2013, is an Expedition and Adventure trip in late March - mid April 2013, you have to reserve this one early as we take only 8 participants on this tour.
Note: This is NOT our normal workshop...this will be an Expedition into some very remote and seldom visited parts of Nepal, traveling on horseback and camping, this is by invitation or upon request only. The final itinerary will be available by 3rd quarter 2012.
For more details please contact Gunther Deichmann
See below also some of our other upcoming Expedition Adventure Photo Work Shop Tours in 2012 and you don’t have to be a pro to be part of this, we except all levels of experience.
LAOS - VIETNAM - CAMBODIA – Myanmar 2012 starting on September 8th. You can choose either one of these tours or combine them, for more info and the complete Itinerary please contact me.
Or check our GD Photo Workshop calendar for 2012
Note: Please make your reservations early for Myanmar; due to the recent positive changes in the Country we have to make Hotel bookings way in advance.
Tour starts on October 05 - October 16, 2012 - 11 special days of pure adventure and amazing photography. Max. of 10 Participants on all Tours unless stated otherwise.
Please do not hesitate in contacting me if you have any special request or queries.
On this special journey through Myanmar we will explore the remote parts of the country but also some of the known places. We promise that this will be a very special trip.
This photographic tour of Myanmar takes guests from the captivating capital of Yangon where the sparkling Shwedagon Pagoda glistens at sunset. From Yangon guests take a short flight to Bagan where it's difficult to ever put your camera down.
Countless temples and pagodas are scattered across its desert like plains. Crumbling architecture adds to the inherent beauty of the place.
Visit Tayokye Pyay, an elevated temple with sweeping panoramic views of the plains below. Then Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Ananda Temple, one of the most impressive masterpieces.
We also head to Myinkabar and Old Bagan to discover lesser-visited sites with unusual stone inscriptions. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset from the terrace of a temple.
For Testimonials from previous participants, please Click this LINK.
Details and bookings/reservations, please Click this LINK
GD
Photography: Gunther Deichmann's main website has a new look, a complete overhaul.
It was about time…
A few weeks ago we decided to make some changes and give my main website a facelift, now it is ready and active.
Here are some of the newer features; fewer and larger photos, updated the Biography, tided up Publications and Link pages and included a Thumbnail Icon below the image located between the Arrow buttons, plus a direct LINK to our GD Expedition Travel Adventure Photo Workshops Tours in ASIA.
Without a doubt the hardest part was choosing the photos, only 48 images... You might ask why only so few? The answer is quiet simple…PhotoShelter!
Most of the high resolution photos are kept in my PhotoShelter archives and in their selected Galleries anyway, so there was no need anymore in duplicating and having repeats on my main site. It is sort of a Gateway to all my other images that are nicely represented in PhotoShelter.
Of course there is still the Search Archive field for easy access to all my Galleries if you're looking for any specific photos.
New look and overhauled main site
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
In due time we update these 48 photos but for the time being I hope you enjoy and like these selected images and the NEW LOOK.
Use the arrows and view the images in large one by one or If you click on the new
Thumbnail Icon you can see the Thumbnails and navigate easy through the 48 photos, 
We're still working behind the scene a bit, ironing out a few more not so visible glitches but other then that we are all up and running. I like to thank also my good friend and assistant Arj who put in many hours of hard work in this new look, thanks Bro.
Until soon,
GD
Photo Exhibition Paris, a new book plus info on our Travel Adventure Photography Tours ASIA
A Photo Exhibition in Paris France, a new completely
overhauled website and a NEW Book in the works.
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Iban tribal elder, Borneo, Malaysia
Besides traveling and organizing my Photo Workshops for the rest of the year I am excited and preparing already for my upcoming Photo Exhibition in Paris, France in late November, this was confirmed only the other day, plus there is a new book project in the works too, details will be announced soon on this Blog.
What I can say, is that the Book project is very different from my previous one "A Journey Through Color & Time" this is an interesting and exciting concept, and the images took many years to compile. I guess here is my suspense again…
Oh… before iI forget, by next week my main website received also a complete overhaul with a different look.
Please Note:
Non of the photos featured on this post are in anyway related to the new Book project, I release more details in due time.
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Monks gathering during a ceremony, Bhutan
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Sadhu, Nepal
As for our upcoming photo workshops to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar in September/October this year:
You don't have to be a Pro to join our Travel Expeditions & Adventure Photography Tours,
all levels of photography experience is accepted.
We only travel in small groups between 8 to 10 participants on all published destinations, providing you the full attention making these workshops very personal, fun and fulfilling experience for you. Stress is not on our agenda.
These workshops are for all levels of photographers who like to gain insight into how to make better photographs for editorial, stock or just for personal satisfaction and having fun at the same time.
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Sri Lanka 2012
Join us for “A Journey Through Color & Time “ on our next GD Photo Workshop, Travel Expeditions & Adventure Photography Tours throughout Asia & you discover the undiscovered.
For all Destinations Click Here to view the Calendar
Travel Photography: Water is life… traveling during the stormy rainy season can be rewarding for your Photography
Water is life… it’s fury can be devastating
but it can also be tranquil and enchanting.
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The photo above was taken some years ago with my old trusted Minolta X700 film camera in a Hugyfot underwater housing during the hight of Typhoon "Huaning" right at Manila Bay, note the lone person in the background. Make sure you take good care during this Monsoon and Typhoon season!
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Photo above: worshipping the sacred waters of Phnom Kulen.
...two years after Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III in AD 800.
King Jayavarman II ascended to the top of Mahendraparvata (today’s Phnom Kulen), and declared independence from the island of Java. There he proclaimed himself devaraja, heavenly ruler of the ancient Cambodian religion and cult of the “god-king”, and founded the Khmer Empire.
A devout leader, King Jayavarma II soon had the river on the mountain hilltop diverted in order to carve hundreds of lingas into the riverbed, hence its name – river of a thousand lingas. In the event, Mount Kulen was blessed and beatified.
Above text Courtesy of my good friend Jamie Irenaliena Keet from our joint article in the Asian Geographic Magazine "The hidden treasures of Phnom Kulen."
Our bodies are largely made of water, as is much of the food we eat. Without water, we could not exist… it is that simple.
In some countries we worship water and in others parts of the world we take it for granted, it is more precious then anything else on our planet.
Water… the reason for my post today; the Typhoon/rainy season has started with our first tropical storm blowing outside my window.
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The rainy season has arrived…Palawan, Philippines
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Lightning storm over Manila Bay, Philippines
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The towers of Angkor Wat reflecting in the Water pools
during the wet season, Cambodia
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Flood plains of Northern Australia during the wet-season
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Dramatic cloud formation during the monsoon, Palawan Philippines
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Bathing and worship in the Ganges River, Varanasi, India
I captured many "wet" images during my travels, experiencing the good, the bad and the ugly, crossing mighty rivers, wading through flood revenged areas or just sitting along side beautiful and tranquil lagoons watching the sun go down.
Covering many countries, the selected images on this post showcasing water in its fury and tranquility, its direct connection between man and nature.
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Unfortunate street children during the
Monsoon season, Philippines
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During a tropical rain shower children selling sampaguita
flowers to passing cars, Philippines
Teaming with life…whistling Ducks on a Billabong
(fresh water pond) just before the wet season, Northern Australia
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Shimmering leafs in a small stream, north Queensland, Australia
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"Merging" with the water, teenagers having fun in the
Phnom Kulen river, Cambodia
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Rainforest and waterfall during the wet season in Palau, Micronesia
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Simply Nature…Phnom Kulen during wet season, Cambodia
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Monsoon time in Cambodia 
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Nature and man made… wet season in Cambodia
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Fishing… Water the source of life…Laos
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Wet season storm approching in the Pacific, near Chuuk, Micronesia
It is not only freshwater that we need for our survival but also our Oceans that support us with life.
Water is so precious and man has the "intelligence" to protect our oceans and natural resources, so please don't take water for granted; we’re lucky (some nations are not) to be blessed with this amazing liquid we call water.
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Aerial view of the Northern Territory Flood Plains
during the wet season, Australia
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Enjoying a tropical downpour, Battambang, Cambodia
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Simply Nature… water the source of Life, Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
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"Taken shelter" from a tropical rain shower, island of Chuuk, Micronesia
Tip:
If you do go out during these rainy days make sure to pack some water proofing; a raincoat and a "Condom" for your camera and of course a good water proof camera bag.
But most important, take care of yourself and watch out during strong storms and Typhoons… remember Safety first!
GD
Just one more…
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Photo composite; we have to take care of our Planet before it is to late.
Editing 18,000 images with Aperture 3 after our Expedition and Travel Photography Workshops to Sri Lanka, Nepal & Bhutan.
Some 18,000 photos later...
An endless Journey through Color and Time.
Performing with a Condom and Phallus in his hands… during the Talo Tshechu
Festival with Dramitse Nga Cham
(sacred Mask dance of Drum and Stick) Bhutan
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After a 5-week Journey through Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan the editing and culling back of images is complete. (still working a bit on Nepal, had to have a break before I get square eyes)
But the main editing has been complete for quiet some time, thanks to the outstanding performance on my Mac BookPro using Aperture 3.
Ohhhh…I don’t know what I would have done without Aperture…my thoughts drifting back to the old days using Kodachrome film, labeling and sorting through mountains of plastic cases.
Honestly I do miss my Kodachromes but then times have changed, some for the better and some for the worst, it is almost all digital now.
(I do admire some of my good old friends who still shoot with film, but mainly in B/W now)
Tea Plantation worker, Sri Lanka
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School is out…Sri Lanka
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I do as much editing with Aperture while still on the road and by the time I get home a lot is done already. (rough and first edit only)
Back home; first I back up all those images (Aperture Libraries) from my portable Lacie Rugged drives to my Lacie Raid system, then some more editing and later upload selected images on to my PhotoShelter site. PhotoShelter; yet another welcome addition in todays digital age for safe keeping, storing and selling your images.
Through out the entire trip Aperture performed just awesome, at times pushing my Mac and Aperture to the limits.
Tip: I strongly recommend that you do all your key wording, captions etc. while on location, it will only take a few extra minutes during or after import but everything is still fresh in your mind.
Oh… I can do this later when I am back home, I am to tiered now…believe me, you never end up doing it or you forgotten all those places. (we’re only talking some 5 to 10 extra minutes here)
I am forcing myself in doing just that, it saves me a lot of time and my NEW images can be up on PhotoShelter or my own site within a few days after my return.
Bathing festival, Kathmandu, Nepal
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In a village near Bhaktapur, Nepal
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Sadhu preparing his color mix, Nepal
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I might mention also for those who are located in the Philippines, we have some Aperture 3 classes (Aperture Level Basic and Beyond) scheduled, starting in June through to December at the brand new PMC Power Mac Center AATC facilities at Arnaiz, Makati, Philippines. (final dates/times to be announced shortly on Twitter and Facebook)
You might ask why Aperture? Aperture’s capability is greatly underestimated in particular when it comes to editing huge number of photos. It has a superb and easy to use filing structure, not to mention all those other adjustments, but for large number of photos, I believe it is the best software out there.
Now you might think I am biased when it comes to Aperture; well I have been using it since day one and never looked back and this is not the first time I had to deal with so many photos.
How could I have edited 18,000 or so images in Photoshop in just a few days? No way, I be still working for the next 3 month.
Once you understand the fundamentals of Aperture 3 the rest is easy, exceptional fast and very efficient. Spend some time with it, study the tutorials or enroll in a classroom session with Aperture.
Buddhist Monks at the Trongsa Dzong,(Fort) Bhutan
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Young Boy in the Traditional Village of Sopsokha, Punakha District, Bhutan
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For all our Expeditions and Adventure Travel GD Photo Workshops through out Asia click this LINK.
You don’t have to be a Pro Photographer to join our Expeditions and Adventure Travel Tours; we cater to all who are interested in Photography.
With Gunther Deichmann and his experienced assistant you get to know different cultures and explore amazing landscapes. Getting you not only to the right locations without wasting time but also at the right hour of the day. For the latest testimonials click here.
We make sure that you get the best possible photographs from these truly amazing destinations.
GD
Just one more…
A very funny Farmer at the Traditional Village of
Sopsokha, Punakha District, Bhutan
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Adventure Travel Photography ASIA : A very beautiful morning in Sri Lanka…now on PhotoShelter, plus a lot more
A very beautiful morning in Sri Lanka…
plus a lot more
Sunrise at Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
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The alarm went off at 3:00AM, oh boy…this was an early start and of course no chance for breakfast or coffee.
Joerg and myself had to cover some 2 hours, traveling through winding roads and catch the sunrise at this particular spot in the Mountains of Sri Lanka, also called “World's End” - Nuwara Eliya.
I had checked out this location the day before but it was way to late for any decent Landscape shots that day. So I decided to have another crack at it the next day… the painful thought of getting up real early crossed my mind, but at the same time I could visualize that this was the right location. Crossing my fingers, hoping that the weather would play along the next day.
Morning mist/clouds just on Sunrise at Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
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We arrived at my selected spot; our timing had been perfect, it was still dark but about half an hour later we were greeted by the appearing sun and got blessed with perfect light, and clouds covering the valleys below.
Early morning mist/clouds in the valleys below, at Nuwara Eliya,
Sri Lanka
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Wow…what a sight, nature at its best, the pain from the early morning wake up call was gone in an instant; even the withdrawal symptoms from not having any coffee that morning had disappeared.
This very special and magic moment lasted only 30 min.; a nice reward for the early morning call and making do without coffee.
Oh…I almost forgot to mention…the famous Ceylon Tea, we actually drank more of this then Coffee on this Journey, very nice indeed.
Please Note: The latest photos from Sri Lanka are now residing in my PhotoShelter Gallery and Archives, (you can view all the images from this mornings event at PhotoShelter now).
Followed soon by the latest from Bhutan and Nepal.
Sri Lanka is in my opinion totally underrated; it has wonderful people, a rich Buddhist culture and many historical sites not to mention the beautiful Mountain ranges that reach up to 2524.13 m.
Tea Plantations at Hortons Place, Sri Lanka
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In a Village near Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
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Enjoying the Ice Cream… Sri Lanka
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School Girls on an outing,Fort of Galle, Sri Lanka
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In Colombo,Boy and his Cricket Bat, Sri Lanka
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Ravaged by a long lasting civil war that just finished some 4 years ago, Sri Lanka is definitely on the way to recovery.
I also visit the Beach area where on December 26, 2004, the mammoth tsunami took thousands of lives; life is “almost” back to normal, and here you find the unique still fisherman of Sri Lanka trying to make a few Rupees.
The unique still fisherman of Sri Lanka
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The unique still fisherman of Sri Lanka
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Yale National Park: The elusive Sri Lankan Leopard in Yale National Park unfortunately eluded us (perhaps next time) but we got rewarded with other interesting animals including a spectacular display by a mating Peacock.
Mating performance by a Peacock, Yala National Park Sri Lanka
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Spotted Deer Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
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Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus),
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
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Join me on one of my next Adventure Photo Expeditions to Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia or Sri Lanka and a super special one in Nepal for April ’13. (please note: Nepal is only available upon special request, and all participants have to be reasonable fit and be able to travel on Horseback for days, there is also no luxury accommodation except in Kathmandu our start and finishing point.)
If you’re interested please CLICK HERE
Just one more...
Lovely old lady along the coastal road, Sri Lanka
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For all other 2012 and 2013 GD Photo Workshop/Adventure Travel calendar dates please CLICK HERE.
We have also updated my main Website (Home Page), added Bhutan, and changed some images from Nepal and Sri Lanka.
NEW SriLanka on PhotoShelter
GD
Travel Photography ASIA: In stark contrast to Sri Lanka & Bhutan, the Journey continuous through Nepal
I love contrast... and this was certainly an extreme
if you compare Nepal with Sri Lanka and Bhutan
A Sadhu during the Hindu bathing festival. Balaju Mela or
Lhuti Punhi, Kathmandu, Nepal
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We sadly left Colombo in Sri Lanka and took the flight to Delhi en-route to Kathmandu, Nepal our second stop before leaving for Bhutan.
I love contrast and this was certainly an extreme if you compare Nepal with Sri Lanka (my next post) and Bhutan. I visited Nepal many times before, but every time I find something more unique or bizarre, I just love this place, its mix religion, people, culture, tradition and of course awesome colors.
Sadhu at the Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest Hindu
temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
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In the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal
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Oh…those Eyes, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Boy selling sugar candy Durban Square, Kathamndu, Nepal,
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Durban Square, Kathmandu, Nepal,
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Yes, it can be a bit chaotic at times, and the traffic especially during festival times is a nightmare, but it is also very rewarding for photography a constant challenge isolating subjects amongst the crowd.
We made another stop over for a few more days on our way back from Bhutan and intercepted two festivals before hitting back home, this was a welcome change after the higher altitude from Bhutan, a sort of R&R.
The cool one...In the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal
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Child playing with large Prayer Wheel at one of the
Monasteries, in "Little Tibet" Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal
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A pilgrim during a Chaktsal prostration, a powerful way of
showing devotion at the Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Nepal
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One of my favorite places I keep returning to when visiting Nepal is the Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, and my recent visit here coincided with the full moon festival. This ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Compas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. It is a UNESCO World heritage Site since 1979, the Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha. This area is also know as little Tibet.
Right next to the Boudhanath Stupa, this is where the Butter lamps
are kept during the full moon festival, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Movement… start of the full moon festival at the Boudhanath
Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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This is only a small selection of images on todays post, there will be a lot more once I am done with my editing and have uploaded them on to my PhotoShelter site, I keep you posted when that is ll done. I hope within the next few days, cross my fingers.
I might add Aperture 3 performed absolutely flawless, all photos have been processed using only Aperture 3 and only basic and RAW adjustments have been applied.
The ancient Swayambunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple)
is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine.
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Above: I waited a long time to get this shot, standing in one corner for ages, trying to capture a Monkey just in between those Eyes, the original image is only cropped, with no other adjustments except for the basic RAW conversion and a tweak on the color temperature.(Aperture 3)
Perched atop a hill on the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, the ancient Swayambunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple) is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine. The sleepy, all-seeing Buddha eyes that stare out from the top have become the quintessential symbol of Nepal.
When this temple was founded about 2,000 years ago, Kathmandu Valley was filled with a great lake. According to Buddhist legend, a single perfect lotus grew in the center of the lake. When the bodhisattva Manjusri drained the lake with a slash of his sword, the lotus flower settled on top of the hill and magically transformed into the stupa. Thus it is known as the Self-Created (swayambhu) Stupa.
The earliest written record of the Swayambunath Stupa's existence is a 5th-century stone inscription, but scholars believe there was probably a shrine here as early as the 1st century. Even before that, it is likely that animist rites took place on this hill. Swayambunath is one of Nepal's oldest Buddhist temples and it has an ancient atmosphere, especially when one approaches on foot with the pilgrims.
Bizarre and strange faces…Kathmandu, Nepal
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No explanation needed…street scene Kathmandu, Nepal.
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Hard working…Kathmandu, Nepal
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Carrying heavy loads in the streets near Durban Square, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Carrying heavy loads in the streets near Durban Square, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Women with her heavy load in the streets
of Kathmandu, Nepal
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Sadhu at the Pashupatinath Temple,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Sadhu at the Pashupatinath Temple,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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The Pashupatinath Temple the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, The deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati, the Lord of the Animals. Pashupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D.
The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or holy symbol of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple, that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings'.
Wicks are mixed with butter and then set alight, burning for hours during animal offering at the Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana Animal sacrifice Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Worshiping at the Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana Animal sacrifice Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
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The full moon day of April, Lhuti Punhi, is important for both Hindus and Buddhists the full moon festival took place in the evening at the Boudhanath stupa the other festival on the same day but in the morning was the Balaju Mela or Lhuti Punhi
Hindu worshiper during the bathing festival. Balaju Mela or
Lhuti Punhi, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Here Devotees celebrate the festival by visiting Balaju (or Lhuti), about 3 km north of downtown Kathmandu, to take holy baths under the 22 dragon-headed stone water spouts and pay homage to the reclining image of the Hindu deity Budhanilkantha. People also climb the nearby Jamacho hill to worship the Buddhist stupa located at the top.
The hill is held sacred because ages ago, when the Kathmandu Valley was a lake, it was from this summit the the Bipaswa Buddha had cast a lotus seed into the water which blossomed into the flaming holy lotus over which the Swoyambhu stupa now stands.
Near the Nepal traditional vilages of Bugmati/Khokana, Lolitpur
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Did I say in my first sentence…We sadly left Colombo in Sri Lanka… yes that is correct, but I was also extremely happy when I arrived in Nepal…the contrast was just awesome.
Please stay tuned for the next and last part…amazing Sri Lanka featuring some awesome landscapes and wildlife, another very contrasty piece.
Also as a reminder we still have a few spots available for our next Journey with the GD Photo Workshops into Myanmar starting June 29, 2012, book now this workshop is filling up very fast and final bookings have to be made by latest May 20th, 2012.
I am going to announce once I have updated my main website and my PhotoShelter with the latest, more images from Sri Lanka - Nepal and Bhutan.
I hope you enjoy the images from Nepal today, until soon from Sri Lanka…and the contrast continues…
GD
Asia Travel Photography: First impressions, the Journey continuous in Bhutan with GD Photo Workshop.
Bhutan… Land of the Thunder Dragon
After a long Journey I have returned and only now found the time to update my Blog…it has been over 6 weeks since my last entry.
My Journey started in Sri Lanka then to Nepal and from there to Bhutan where I meet most of the participants for our GD Photo Workshop who flew in from Bangkok, Thailand.
View of the Himalayas with a perfect view of Mount Everest.
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Flying from Nepal to Bhutan was just breathtaking, we had a superb clear sky and the 45 minute Journey via Druk Air (Bhutan’s only Airlines) took us along the Himalayas with a perfect view of Mount Everest. Then came the approach to Paro Airport… wow that was exciting, flying through Valleys before touching down.
Sri Lanka was absolutely fantastic again with some spectacular landscapes and wildlife and Nepal wow…my trip coincided with some cool festivals there and on my way back from Bhutan via Kathmandu we picked up the full moon festival in little Tibet.
But these stories and Images have to wait until I am done with Bhutan…so lets start with the Land of the Thunder Dragon the amazing Kingdom of Bhutan.
On our second day we left Paro and set off for the famous Monastery the Tigers Nest perched high on the cliffs at approx. 3200 meters. We all decided to go by Horseback and my experience from the Outback of Australia came in very handy with the exception that the track took us along the cliffs ever so close to the edge… our return Journey for more than hours had to be made on foot since it is to risky for the Horses on the way down.
Last light on my walk down from the awesome Tigers Nest,
at 3200 meters Bhutan,
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A Monk on its way to the Tigers Nest, Bhutan, he is not sitting on a chair, but behind him is his backpack a heavy load to carry but easy for these spiritual Monks, about half way up.
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Bhutan is a destination like no other. Identified as one of the 10 bio-diversity hot spots in the world, this ancient kingdom first cautiously opened its doors to tourism in1974. Ever since, visitors have been mesmerized by Bhutan’s timeless Buddhist culture, soaring snowcapped peaks, and magnificent landscape dotted with numerous monasteries, temples and Dzongs (fortresses).
The Dzong (fortress) in Paro Bhutan
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Amazing architecture at the Dzong (fortress) in Paro Bhutan
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Nowl I like to thank all the participants who joined this GD Photo Workshop in Bhutan and thanks to Joerg who came along with me to Sri Lanka and Nepal.
It was another super cool group and many familiar faces amongst them, Luis M. Harder and JP Yulo from the Philippines, Joerg Schueler from Germany/Shanghai, Hubert Weber from Switzerland/Philippines and Massimo Casal from Italy/Jakarta.
Trongsa: Lama performing a blessing ceremony at the village of Wangdiphodrang
near Trongsa, Bhutan.
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A Monk at the Trongsa Dzong, fortress, Bhutan
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In due time I post again the Images behind the scenes and of course the participants work, you see all the fun we had, not only from the Tigers Nest but from very cold mornings “chilling out” at higher altitude.
My sincere gratitude and thanks to our Bhutanese Guide Sonam Dendup and Driver Tschering, who certainly were some of the very best I ever worked with.
Oh… not to forget… the Bhutanese people they were exceptional friendly and charming where ever we went…they are very beautiful people and so traditional.
This and so much more made our Journey very special and enjoyable…just awesome.
Thank you all!
Pretty young Bhutanese Girls in the traditional Village
of Sopsokha, Punakha District, Bhutan
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Image above: At the Talo Tshechu Festival, I only found out later, after showing my Guide Sonam Dendupthe photo that the old Gentleman on the right is the famous Bhutanese singer Ap Dhopay who is from Talo under Punakha district. He has been serving the 3rd King for many years and later joined the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (famously known as Royal Dancer) He sang many traditional songs and is keen in the preservation of the culture and tradition in Bhutan. He was awarded a Silver Jubilee Gold Medal in the year 1999 by the 4th King of Bhutan.
Monks and locals getting ready for the Talo Tshechu Festival with
Dramitse Nga Cham (sacred Mask dance of Drum and Stick) Bhutan
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Local and some foreign spectators at the Paro Festival, Bhutan.
Durda Chham, dance of the Lord of cremation and the dance
of wrathful deities.
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Talo Tshechu Festival with Dramitse Nga Cham
(sacred Mask dance of Drum and Stick) Bhutan
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Talo Tshechu Festival with Dramitse Nga Cham
(sacred Mask dance of Drum and Stick) Bhutan
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Colorful Bhutan… Talo Tshechu Festival with Dramitse Nga Cham
(sacred Mask dance of Drum and Stick) Bhutan
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Colorful Bhutan… Talo Tshechu Festival with Dramitse Nga Cham
(sacred Mask dance of Drum and Stick) Bhutan
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In due time, once I have finished my editing I share more images with you on my Photo Shelter site updating my main website and on this Blog. For today I have selected only a few images, first impression from Bhutan the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.”
I might add Aperture 3 performed absolutely flawless, handling with ease almost 20,000 images during the duration of the entire trip.
I am going to alternate my Blog post’s, next in line is from Nepal and then Sri Lanka, please stay tuned for a lot more in the coming weeks.
In the Traditional Village of Sopsokha, Punakha District, Bhutan
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A heavy load for this old lady…Traditional Village of
Sopsokha, Punakha District, Bhutan
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Near the traditional Village of Sopsokha, Punakha District, Bhutan
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On the way from Trongsa to Thimphu, Bhutan. along the road paintings
of Buddha on Cliff face. (Chendepii) Paintings of Buddha & Guru
Rinpoche from the Buddhist movie "travelewrs & Magicians" produced
by Dzongsar Jamyang Khentse Rinpoche Nove. 2002
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Paro Festival, Bhutan. Durda Chham, dance of the Lord of cremation and the
dance of wrathful deities.
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Just one more…
Crossing the road in Thimphu, Bhutan
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FYI… our next GD Photo Workshop in ASIA starts on 29th of June in Myanmar, and I might add, this is a very special one with some exciting new locations.
Later in the Year we have also trips to Laos-Vietnam and Cambodia, scheduled for September 2012.
For more information please go to our GD Photo Workshop Calendar for 2012 and 2013.
BTW… for those who live in Manila, Philippines we have a special workshop at the Power Mac Center, Greenbelt 3 starting on Monday, “the Digital Darkroom” a three-day event in cooperation with the Ayala Filipinas Heritage Library.
GD
Travel Photography: Everyday life from India, Myanmar, Laos & Cambodia in 2011
Everyday life from India, Cambodia, Laos & Myanmar.
Inside the Jama Masjid Mosque in Delhi India
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In the past few days I had to go through my personal archives from 2011 before leaving tomorrow for Sri Lanka - Nepal and Bhutan.
I like to share some images in this post that are not yet in my PhotoShelter Galleries and Archives, simply called "Daily Life" from the destinations last year, there are so many more but for now Sri Lanka Nepal and Bhutan are calling and I have to get packing.
Security Guard at the Red Fort in Delhi, India
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Images from all walks of life, places I visited in 2011 alone and during the GD Photo Workshops.
I keep the text very brief and I guess my next post will be upon my return in early April, until then, cheers.
GD
Red Fort in Delhi, India
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"Care Taker" inside the Ananda Temple Bagan, Myanmar
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Children in the corridor at the Maha Muni temple
Mandalay, Myanmar
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Buddhist Monk explaining the history of the temple in Laos
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Good morning…Buddhist Monk brushing his teeth,
Yangon, Myanmar
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Cleaning the dog at the Phnom Kulen waterfall, Cambodia
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The T-shirt reads…Wonderful LADY because of You
my world is filled with Happiness
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Cheeky smile…Inle Lake Myanmar.
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At the Jama Masjid Mosque in Delhi India
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Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
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Traditional fishing in Laos
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Fun in the Rice Paddy, Cambodia
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Keeping it clean, Red Fort Delhi India
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Lunch Time…Yangon, Myanmar
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You love music? Delhi India
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Having a good old chat…Delhi, India
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Feeding the young…Inle Lake Myanmar
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Street Vendor Delhi, India
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The shop keeper…Inle Lake , Myanmar
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Red Fort Delhi, India
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Tonle, Sap Lake, Cambodia
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Flooded Siem Reap in 2011, Cambodia
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Novice Monks…Inle Lake Myanmar
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Looking across the Mekong River towards Thailand, Laos
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Our June 2012 GD Photo Workshop to MYANMAR is very special indeed, we’re not only cover the know areas but venture to more remote and seldom visited places in this amazing Country.
For all the details and Itinerary's and our other GD Photo Workshops in Asia please follow the LINKS.
http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/myanmar/tours/myanamar-through-the-lens/
Travel Photography ASIA: Amazing faces & places discovering Yangon, Myanmar.
Exploring and discovering Yangon, Myanmar…
the faces and places.
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Photo above: This old Buddhist Monk in the market of Yangon is probably suffering from a skin condition called Vitiligo, a condition in which white patches develop on the skin, due to destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes.
Yangon also known as Rangoon, is a former capital of Burma, Yangon as it is called now has a population of over four million and continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial center.
Interesting to note is that Yangon has the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia today, a Photographers haven with its busy markets and very interesting Dock/Harbor area.
But most impressive is the Shwedagon Pagoda that has existed for more than 2,500 years, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Burma and the world.
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At the Shwedagon Pagoda, the stupas during a full moon, Yangon, Myanmar
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At the Shwedagon Pagoda, Buddhist Monk meditating near very large Bell, Yangon Myanmar
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At the Shwedagon Pagoda, gathering of visiting Buddhist Monks
Yangon Myanmar
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A teenage girl worshipping at the Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon Myanmar
According to some historians and archaeologists, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.
The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets and the crown or umbrella is tipped with some 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies.
But if you like action and watch hard working-man then a trip to the Port of Yangon situated on the Yangon River is a must. Here is where the real hustle and bustle takes place, dock-workers unloading small and large boats with all types of goods.
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Hard at work, Port of Yangon situated on the Yangon River, Myanmar
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Hard at work, Port of Yangon situated on the Yangon River, Myanmar
Another interesting place for a visit is the Yangon Circular Railway the local commuter rail network that serves the Yangon metropolitan area. The 39-station loop system connects satellite towns and suburban areas to the city. The railway has about 200 coaches, runs 20 times and sells 100,000 to 150,000 tickets daily.
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Boy playing inside the Railway Carriage, Yangon
Circular Railway, Myanmar
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Railway station in Yangon, Circular Railway, Myanmar
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On the way to Insein inside the Railway Carriage,
Yangon Circular Railway, Myanmar
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On the way to Insein inside the Railway Carriage,
Yangon Circular Railway, Myanmar
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Young child on the Yangon Railway station platform
During our last GD Photo Workshop we took a short but memorable trip for about an hour, passing by villages and observing the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people en route.
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At the Insein station about 45 min from Yangon,
Yangon Circular Railway, Myanmar
We disembarked at the small town of Insein, meet with the friendly locals before returning to Yangon to explore the amazing downtown of Yangon exploring Chinatown and Little India.
But Yangon has so much more to offer besides the sights mention above, an amazing city, with its Buddhist monasteries, shrines and temples, I continue soon and talk about this another day.
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Sisters at their small store in Little India, Yangon, Myanmar
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Red teeth from chewing Beetle nut, shoe vendor in Little India,
Yangon, Myanmar
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Muslim Boy in downtown Yangon, Myanmar
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Street scene in down town Yangon, Myanmar
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Street scene in down town Yangon, Myanmar
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Chicken feet…market in downtown Yangon, Myanmar
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Slippers in the down town market area, Yangon, Myanmar
So why you don’t join us in June 2012 for an incredible Journey to Myanmar where we discover the undiscovered and explore other unique places seldom visited by others.
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A very happy Nun at a Monastery, Yangon, Myanmar
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Amazing faces…Yangon, Myanmar!
Our June 2012 GD Photo Workshop is very special indeed, we’re not only cover the know areas but venture to more remote and seldom visited places in this amazing Country.
For all the details and Itinerary please follow the LINKS.
http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/myanmar/tours/myanamar-through-the-lens/
Part two; Vanishing Cultures & Tradition - rare photos of ceremonial & tribal Aboriginals from Arnhem Land, Australia.
The story behind the photos… Tribal Aboriginals from their sacred land in Arnhem Land to rare ancient rock art & burial ceremonies. (Part two)
Dreamtime… tribal elder, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Seldom seen images that date back some 30 years, shot on Kodachrome and Ektachrome film, way before the digital age.
Going back in time…Dreamtime “forgotten” cultures and tradition of the Australian Aborigines,
Part two. Arnhem Land Northern Territory.
Please remember that I can't show all the photos I have in my archives, and I also had to keep the text brief, otherwise I end up with a Book.
There were many more images I saw, but could NOT record them in respect for the Aboriginals and their believes, recorded only with my eyes, but the memory still lives very deep inside of me.
“At times I am very contend to take home the memory, instead of pursuing the image, this in turn will gain you respect.”-GD-
Tribal elder in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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During the mid 80th I visited Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park many times, and during the cause of my visits became friends with some Aboriginal tribal elders. I am grateful for their spiritual guidance that I got to know some places seldom visited by others.
But even more important, I learned how to take care of our environment and only take from the land what is needed to survive.
I like to thank my dear old friend “Nipper” for his friendship and trust for allowing me into areas normally not visited by any outsiders.
Hunting in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Australia's Aboriginal culture probably represents the oldest surviving culture in the world, with the use of stone tool technology and painting with red ochre pigment dating back over 60,000 years.
Arnhem Land is strictly an Aboriginal Reserve located next to Kakadu National Park in the tropical north of Australia. Travel to outside persons is restricted and visitors must obtain an entry permit.
Mysterious Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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There are no paved roads and getting around is difficult most of the time but in particular during the wet season when rivers swell and flood the swampy marches. The rivers, swamps and billabongs are also abundant with the large Australian Salt Water Crocodiles and care should be taken when camping near waterways.
An alternative to Arnhem Land is to visit Kakadu National park, which is more accessible, and the Aboriginals left their mark here too, in particular at Obirri Rock, a fantastic gallery of detailed ancient rock art. Or a visit to the spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Waterfalls along the Arnhem Land Escarpment is just breathtaking.
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The Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) is a tall long-necked wading bird in the stork family. It is a resident species across south and southeast Asia with a large population in Australia and is very common at “Yellow Waters” in Kakadu National Park.
A visit to Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park is a must once in the area, a swamp (flood plains) with its amazing variety and abundant of wildlife, huge congregation of water fowls, white breasted sea eagles on trees, monitor lizards and saltwater crocodiles that make this area a haven for wildlife photographers.
The Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory have left a great legacy of their culture in the form of art that can be found in caves and rock overhangs where it is protected from the elements. One of the richest of these areas is in Kakadu National Park, the traditional lands of the Gagudju people, in the Top End, west Arnhem Land. There are superb examples of Rock Art in the galleries of Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr, where you can view them easily.
Selection of not so common rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Compared to the arid region in Central Australia, it comes as no surprise with such an abundance of wildlife in the area that in ancient times the aboriginal artist had a lot of motives for their rock art. The area is not only a source of food but played an important role in their spiritual life “The Dreamtime”.
Ubirr, or Obiri Rock for example in the north east of Kakadu, has some of the finest examples of "X-ray art" in the world. The artist not only painted the outside but also the bones and internal organs of the animals, mostly fish like barramundi, but also turtles, birds and reptiles.
A rare detailed painting of an unusual "Hand stencil", more of a
painting then the commonly found Hand stencils.
Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Hand Stencils are also common all over Australia and some can be dated to 50,000 years old. Aboriginal rock art was still being retouched during my visits in the 80th as seen in the photos from Arnhem Land, thus making it the world’s longest lasting artistic tradition at that time.
Aboriginal art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Detailed Bark painting from Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Aboriginal rock art being retouched in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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A not so common rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Dreamtime… Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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The “Ruined City” near the Roper River Aboriginal settlement in Arnhem Land is called also “ruined city of the Moon.” The Aboriginals call this place “Burrangie” the legendary home of giant people who live in the realm of dreamtime.
The “Ruined City” is considered and ultra-sacred Aboriginal site and is strictly off-limits to outsiders.
The "Ruined City" before sunrise in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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In the early 80th I was extremely lucky to gain permission from the tribal elders in visiting and exploring the area on foot for a couple of days. This is an amazing and eerie place and no wonder it is considered very sacred to the local Aboriginal tribe.
Burial Cave in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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After my visit to the “Ruined City” a burial ceremony took place a few days later at the Roper River aboriginal settlement and after some discussions with the Elders I was permitted to take part in this ceremony…well at least for the first part of the burial, an experience that I never forget.
As for the second part of the ceremony, the elders denied permission and no outsiders were allowed to take part, it is known as the most sacred part of the burial ceremony.
Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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This is another important time for ceremonies on the death of a person, when people paint themselves white as seen in my photos, cut their own bodies to show their remorse for the loss of their loved one, and conduct a series of rituals, songs and dances to ensure the person’s spirit leaves the area and returns to its birth place, from where it can later be reborn.
Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Burial ceremony Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Bathurst Island, home of the Tiwi people, just of the coast of Darwin the capital of the Northern Territory. The facial and body painting of the people here have been described as the most colorful and elaborate of any Australian group.
Bathurst Island - The decorations essentially relate to the Tiwi people occasions for major ceremonies, for example the pukumani (mortuary or burial) by painting their bodies with white clay and pulling out their beards.
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A deep red ochre is obtained from the oval polished red stones found on the beach, which are ground then mixed with water; yellow is obtained from a soft yellow ochre stone, also ground to a powder. (The Tiwi sometimes burn the yellow to produce red.) White is generally taken from a clay found all over the island, and black is obtained from charcoal.
Traditional food sources... Northern Territory, Australia
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Aboriginal women collecting fresh water turtles and File snakes in the vast swamps of the Northern Territory. (Freshwater streams and billabongs of the Northern Territory are home to the non-venomous file snakes; the Arafura file snake gets its name from its rough, baggy skin, which feels like a file. A nocturnal reptile, the Arafura file snake keeps in the shadows of overhanging trees during the day and forages for food during the night.)
Dingo running across the dry flood plains in
northern Australia, Northern Territory,
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The Australian Dingo plays an important role in Aboriginal society but they did not arrive in Australia with the first aboriginals some 60,000 years ago as previously thought.
They arrived some 6000 years ago in Australia and were then adopted by the native aboriginals. Dingo bones first appear in faunal deposits between about 3500 and 4000 BP.
Please Note: The following LINKS provided me with some information on the Australian Aboriginals; they are also a good source for further and more detailed reading. Thank You!
GD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corroboree
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/index.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-necked_Stork
http://ozoutback.com.au/Australia/rockartkakadu/index.html
http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_mythology/index1.htm
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/religion.shtml
http://ozoutback.com.au/Australia/rockartkakadu/index.html
NEWS RELEASE - Exotissimo Travel Launch Specialist Photography Workshops in ASIA led by International Photographer.
Exotissimo Travel Launch Specialist Photography
Workshops in ASIA led by International Photographer
See below the official release:
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(Bangkok, 19 January 2012) Exotissimo Travel, Asia’s leading DMC has unveiled a collection of niche photography workshop tours covering four top destinations in Southeast Asia. Each tour lasts between 6 – 10 days and is hosted by international photographer Gunther Deichmann who passes on his expertise in the field.
This novel selection of tours are open to all ages and abilities with professional photographer Gunther Deichmann teaching new techniques from basic to advanced over the course of each. It’s a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and gain first hand tutorial as you practice new methods. Gunther’s passion and friendly approach make his tours extremely popular and there is no doubt this series will prove just as well-liked.
All the essential elements of photography are covered with guests leaving confident in knowing how to compose the perfect shot. With over 30 years experience as a professional photographer, Gunther has worked in more than 25 countries with his camera and travelled extensively in Asia. His existing knowledge of the people and places means no time is wasted on these tours.
It's a rare opportunity to explore the unique cultural practices of a country while gaining insight into the architecture and heritage of a destination that few tourists see. The chance for spectacular photographic opportunities is unrivaled in these tours while also witnessing dramatic landscapes and meeting intriguing people that make remarkable subjects.
Gunther said, “I am delighted to be working with Exotissimo on these unique photography workshop tours. Each destination covered has its own distinctive qualities and cultural practices that we expose ourselves to, capturing the essence with our cameras while learning new techniques along the way.”
Ranging from 6 to 10 days, Exo are covering four of the most desired destinations in these photography workshops. This includes the alluring Vietnam, raw and charming Myanmar, stunningly beautiful Cambodia and enchanting Laos.
Click the LINKS to see the itineraries.
These tours have been designed by photographers with astounding photographic opportunities at every turn. They also encompass Exo’s philosophy of connecting with the people and culture of a place, as they take guests to many areas off the well trodden tourist path and into local areas where its possible to interact with villagers and learn about their way of life.
Gunther is also available for private tours. Please use contact details below for further details.
About Exotissimo Travel
Exotissimo Travel is a premier destination management company that specializes in tailor made tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. Established in 1993, the company is now a network of 17 locally based offices staffing over 550 travel professionals, with sales offices in Florida, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Melbourne.
For more information, please contact:
Exotissimo Travel Group – Head Office
Tel: (66 2) 633 9060
Email: marketing@exotissimo.com
Travel Photography: Destination tips, Island Portraits from Chuuk - Pohnpei - Yap & Palau, Micronesia.
It can be fun going back in time & digging through your archives…
I found some cool Island Portraits from Micronesia in the process.
High school student Chuuk, Micronesia
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A short break from Asia; traveling back in time to some other amazing places like Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap and Palau in Micronesia.
While going through my archives the other day I thought hey why not share some images from the past, some taken on Kodachrome Film and others digital.
Traditional Chuukese blowing the shell as a welcome, Micronesia
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Young girl on a rusty Landing Craft, remnants from the IIWW,
Chuuk or also know as Truk Lagoon, Micronesia
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These are some of my favorite Portraits of people in Micronesia from the remote Island of Pohnpei with its mysterious ruins of Nan Madol (also called the Venice of the Pacific) or to Chuuk know better as Truk Lagoon where a whole Japanese fleet was sunk during WWII.
Of course then there is the charming and ever so traditional island of Yap with its still intact culture and tradition, very little has changed here over the years.
Traditional Palauan Girl during a ceremony,
Palau, Micronesia
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Late afternoon sun on this Palauan Boy near the waters edge
where he is playing, he is holding a large rock then jumping
into the water to dive, the rock is his ballast for easier diving.
Palau Micronesia
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Palau the magical Islands of the pacific needs no introduction…
a sheer paradise above and below the waves, natures awesome creation and for sure a highlight in the pacific.
I have written articles on all those remote destinations before but when I flipped through my archives the other day I decided to select some portraits of people I encountered during my visits.
Traditional Palauan, Palau Micronesia
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See below also some useful information and excerpts from Wikipedia and Palautours.com which by the way has a very nice Photo Gallery on Palau.
Yap Village Chief resting against Yap Money,
Island of Yap Micronesia
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A young boy during the Yap day festival, the culture
in Yap is thriving and very much alive
Island of Yap Micronesia
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Excepts from Wikipedia:
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four continental islands (hence the alternative name of the Yap Islands). The four are very close together and joined within a common coral reef and entirely formed from an uplift of the Philippine Sea Plate.
Yap is notable for its stone money, known as Rai: large shaped, carved disks of up to 4 m (12 ft) in diameter.
Many of them were brought from other islands, as far as New Guinea, but most came in ancient times from Palau. Their value is based on both the stone's size and its history. Historically the Yapese valued the disks because the material looks like quartz, and these were the shiniest objects around. Eventually the stones became legal tender and were even mandatory in some payments.
Women young and old are topless not only during ceremonies and festivals but all year around, you even get greeted at the arrival at the airport by traditional dressed women, for the women being topless is a very normal and cultural part of this island. Island of Yap Micronesia
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Chuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's states. Geographically, Chuuk is also part of the larger Caroline Islands group. Chuuk means mountain in the Chuukese language and was known mainly as Truk (a mispronunciation of Ruk), until 1990.
It is not known when the islands of Chuuk were first settled, but, based on archaeological evidence, these islands had originally been settled more than 2000 years ago. Based on archaeological evidence, it seems that, after about 200 AD, there was no continuous settlement until about 1300 AD.
Pohnpei "upon (pohn) a stone altar (pei)" (formerly known as Ponape) is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group. Palikir, the FSM's capital, is located on Pohnpei Island.
Pohnpei Island is the largest, highest, most populous, and most developed single island in the FSM. The islanders of Pohnpei have a reputation as being the most welcoming of outsiders among residents of the island group.
Pohnpei is also one of the wettest places on earth with annual recorded rainfall exceeding 300 inches (7,600 mm) each year in certain mountainous locations. Pohnpeian historic society was highly structured into five tribes, various clans and sub-clans; each tribe headed by two principal chiefs.
Young girl playing with yellow price tags along
the road on Pohnpei Island, Micronesia
Excerpts from Palautours.com
The magnificent islands of the Republic of Palau, fondly called Belau by its friendly inhabitants, were named by early explorers and have been known to the outside world at one time or another as West Caroline Islands, the Palaos, the New Philippines, Panlog, and the Pelew Islands.
Notwithstanding Palau's intriguing variety of names, in 1696 survivors of two canoes full of seafaring natives from the Micronesian island of Yap told Spanish priests about the islands' existence after they washed up on the shores of Samar Island in the Philippines. What followed were several determined attempts to reach them, but only in 1710 did Capitan Francisco Padilla – in command of the Santissima Trinidad galleon – finally discover and land on the Palau island of Sonsorol, where they were met with open arms by friendly natives.
The Republic of Palau comprises the westernmost group of the West Caroline Islands, an integral part of Micronesia. The country's local language remains Palauan, despite the many foreign influences ranging from Spanish to Japanese, German and English. Palauan is spoken throughout the island, except in the Southwest Islands where inhabitants speak a Yapese dialect.
Palauan is primarily a spoken language, with much confusion on correct spelling in its written form. In many cases words are “Americanized” so they become easier to pronounce. With an approximate 20,000 inhabitants, the islands are sparsely populated.
Within its composition the populace has a rather big “generation” gap. The older generation, mostly raised during the prewar Japanese era still speaks fluent Japanese, while the younger generation, mostly raised under American influence, speaks English.
Families who can afford to do so send their children to the United States mainland or to Hawaii for their education. Many who finish do not return primarily because of more lucrative job opportunities abroad, resulting in a serious shortage of young Palauans to fill pertinent vacancies.
Thus outside workers have to be hired, and they are conspicuously present among the population in the form of a large foreign workforce, mainly Filipinos. In terms of the public versus private sectors, about 45 percent of the population works for the local government, with the balance involved in either the tourism or fishing industries.
Travel Tip:
If you like to visit some of these amazing places and you happen to be at the Duesseldorf Boot Show in January then you have to check out the Booth of Sam's Tours and the Palau Visitors Authority.
Duesseldorf, Germany - Boot Show -
21st - 29th January 2012
Pls. Note: All images have been processed with Aperture 3 and no manipulation.
Check out also the GD Photo Workshop Calendar for 2012 & 2013.
For more info please Click this LINK.
GD
Travel Photography: The story behind the photos, female Elephants dress up for the occasion, kaleidoscope of colors Rajasthan, India.
The story behind the photos…
female Elephants dress up for the occasion.
The envy look…female Elephant full body make-up, Jaipur, India
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Fancy meeting an Elephant in a beauty parlor, now that would be something right, but this is what happen in Jaipur with the exception the parlor is outside.
Who is going to be the prettiest today? Elephant body decor,
Jaipur, India
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During the Jaipur Elephant Festival Elephants turn into a kaleidoscope of colors not only decorated with body paint but also with elaborate glittering materials made form cloth.
Some of these majestic animals are covered from head to toe literally, ready for the yearly parade in Jaipur that is held and coincide with the Holi Festival. (festival of colors)
In India Elephants are regarded very precious since the old days and this is well illustrated in the Hindu Mythology.
The modern look...Elephant body decor, Jaipur, India
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According to some legends at the time of ‘Samudra Manthan’ when demons and Gods were busy in churning the ocean Gods were fortunate to receive an elephant called “Airavata” which later became the divine vehicle (vahana) of India
Since then the Elephant has become a symbol of royalty in Indian culture and many festivals are associated with it.
Jaipur Elephant Festival is perhaps the only festival where Elephants are given prime importance.
Lady in blue… Elephant body decor, Jaipur, India
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Flirting with me… Elephant body decor, Jaipur, India
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"Elephants cute manicured toe's", Jaipur, India
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During the festival, Jaipur comes alive with elephants, dancers and musicians, which draw visitors from all over the world. The elephants parading their decorated trunks and tusks however the most noticeable feature of this festival is that all Elephants who take part in this festival are female Elephants.
So there you have it, even in the Elephant world females go to the Beauty Parlor and dress up in the best attire for the occasion.
Besides having a raging bull in the crowed could spoil all the fun and festivities.
Wow…what a nice behind… Elephant decor Jaipur, India
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If you like to experience this amazing kaleidoscope of colors and roam around those gorgeous female Elephants then why don’t you join us on our GD Photo Workshop in 2013.
Part of our itinerary is Jaipur before leaving for Jodhpur the Blue City and the Thar Desert with its Camels.
For more info please Click this LINK.
Pls. Note: All images have been processed with Aperture 3 no other software or Photoshop has been used.
GD
What a pretty girl…ready for the big day…
Elephant decor Jaipur, India
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Discover & Explore ASIA with GD Photo Workshops: Updated Calendar & site for 2012 & 2013
Updated Calendar & GD Photo Workshop Site for
2012 and 2013.
We are pleased to announce a complete update and revised Calendar for 2012 & 2013 on our GD Photo Workshop Site. Added new destinations and exciting places like Indonesia-Australia plus additional special Myanmar tours.
All 2012 dates are confirmed, our itineraries and full details are available upon request or by our agent's Exotissimo website. We're traveling to some places rarely visited by others, hence making our workshops more unique and flexible that makes a lifetime experience for you to remember.
Take for example our new and next Myanmar Journey in 2012 - this Special Trip was designed by Photographers for Photographers.
June 29 - July 09, 2012 - 11 special days of pure adventure and amazing photography.
Max. of 10 Participants only
On this journey we will explore the remote parts of the country but also some of the known places. We promise that this will be a very exciting and special trip.
For more info and details please CLICK this LINK.
GD
Published article in Asian Geographic - A Walk Through Time - Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
A Walk Through Time…
Kulen's past and present.
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Below is a very short excerpt from a seven (7) page article in the latest Asian Geographic magazine on Phnom Kulen and its hidden treasures in Cambodia.
| Asian Geo 1/2012 (WHEN MOMENTS MATTER) |
I am grateful to the publisher/editor/graphic designer for publishing this article from my beloved Cambodia and of-course my gratitude to Jamie Irena Rayer - Keet who wrote the excellent text for this story. Love you Sis!
But I like to thank also Didier Faraud from the Heritage Adventures and Heritage Suites Hotel without his help and input this article could not have been possible.
GD
It may only be forty-six kilometers away from the august Angkor Wat but this is one Cambodian paradise where you won’t be seeing busloads of Teva-sandaled, video-cam toting tourists anytime soon. An hour’s drive northeast of Siem Reap, past the hordes of out-of-towners traipsing all over the remnants of the 10th century temple Bantey Srei, lies the serene lushness of Phnom Kulen. A hilly terrain famed for its extensive history and natural resource of red sandstone, Phnom Kulen also boasts a national park, refreshing waterfalls, peculiar rivers and a massive 8m long Buddha reclining at its summit.
With more than two-dozen ancient brick temples scattered around the mountain, Phnom Kulen holds more mysteries than the average Mount Meru. Over the centuries she has played host to hermits, communist revolutionaries and even royalty. Lately however, she has been seducing archaeologists and leaving intrigued historians trailing in her wake, gambling life and limb as they tread through her dense jungle in their quest to unearth more of the secrets embedded within her elusive rupestrian treasure…
READ MORE and other amazing stories in the latest ASIAN Geographic Magazine â—‹ no. 86 issue 1/2012 | 97
Travel Photography: One beautiful afternoon at the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge, Myanmar
Just one beautiful afternoon in Amarapura,
Mandalay, Myanmar.
Thank you for your continuous support, wishing you all
a very Happy New Year!
It was during our last GD Photo Workshop near Mandalay in Myanmar when we visited the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura at sunset. What a beautiful afternoon it turned out to be, blessed and lucky with the weather we encountered some stunning light right up to dusk.
U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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The 1.2 km wooden footbridge (longest teak bridge in the world) built by the mayor U Bein salvaging the unwanted teak columns from the old palace during the move to Mandalay.
U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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Local boatman at the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in
Amarapura, Myanmar
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Join us for another breathtaking journey through Myanmar on our upcoming GD Photo Workshop in June 2012, visiting not only the well known places but also more remote parts of this truly amazing Country.
Please check for more information and complete itinerary with our exclusive travel agent & partner EXOTISSIMO Website.
Testimonials from previous participants please CLICK THIS LINK.
U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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For our other published destinations: Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan - Vietnam - Laos & Cambodia please CLICK this LINK our Photo Workshop Calendar in ASIA for 2012
GD
U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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Local boatman near the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in
Amarapura, Myanmar
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U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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View more images from Myanmar and other destinations in my Photoshelter Archives & Galleries, please click this LINK
Travel Photography: Bizarre, strange, utterly weird & disgusting, photos from along the road.
Bizarre, strange, utterly weird & disgusting…
photos from along the road. 
What happen to this Buddha Statue?But I love the colors.
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During most of my travels I come across the nice and beautiful things our planet has to offer. The funny, bizarre and strange encounters, but sometimes I see things rather unpleasant. Like the time I discovered the unloading of massive shark fins in Indonesia, and I am talking about massive!
Little explanation is needed for most of the photos below, with the exception of the disgusting ones.
This is a small collection of unusual images from my recent trips.
GD
From the Van window… Christmas shopping?
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Strange Bubbles…at a local market.
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Weird food…but actually very nice.
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Strange…no explanation needed.
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Bizarre…Novice Buddhist Monks and Guns…
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Wow! Hi-tech at the Cambodia/Thailand Border crossing
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A weird outdoor bar with bargirl/barboy?
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Utterly weird & strange food…
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Totally disgusting and very sad…
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Strange…drying meat.
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Totally disgusting and very sad…Bear Paws
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Totally disgusting and very sad…
Bear paws are considered a delicacy, and have been priced at $250 each.
Here they are inside a glass with Alcohol, drinking this concoction
is supposed to be a remedy for different types of illnesses and an
Aphrodisiac…what a lot of Bull….
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Through the Van window…
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Travel Photography: Twelve Asian faces from 2011; thoughtful, bizarre, happy and sad plus one sleepy. See you soon at the ONE ASIA Festival Singapore.
Twelve Asian faces from 2011…
thoughtful, bizarre, happy, sad + one sleepy.
India 2011
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In a few more days 2011 is coming to an end and I am now preparing for my last trip this year to Singapore, leaving in a couple of days.
I am part again of the ONE ASIA Festival - Celebrate the Images of Asia as a Speaker and Judge for the Asia Without Borders Photo Competition.
I am really looking forward to catch up again with Michael Yamashita who was there also last year, and get together with Steve McCurry, Michael Freeman and Manuel Librodo plus many others, and of course with some good old friends.
Hope to see some of you there; for detailed information on the ONE ASIA FESTIVAL please click the LINKS.
But before I report from Singapore (I know the connection will be fine this time) I like to share with you some images taken in 2011, people from Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar.
“The bizarre, happy and sad.” People of all walks of life; their culture, tradition and every day life.
Nepal 2011
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India 2011
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India 2011
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Sri Lanka 2011
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Myanmar 2011
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Sri Lanka 2011
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Cambodia 2011
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Myanmar 2011
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Myanmar 2011
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Myanmar 2011
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THINK! Nepal 2011
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Just one more…and sleepy.
Myanmar 2011
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PLEASE NOTE:
Check our updated GD PhotoWorkshop Calendar for 2012, with exciting and new destinations throughout ASIA.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html
Travel Photography Asia: Beautiful People & true Colors from Laos, Cambodia & Myanmar.
The Journey continues through Laos - Cambodia & Myanmar
its beautiful people and true colors.
A question I get ask all the time, and a quote by Imogen Cunningham sums it up nicely.
“ Which of my photographs is my favorite?
The one I’m going to take tomorrow." – Imogen Cunningham
Inle Lake, Myanmar
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Laotian Monks looking towards Thailand, it is here where the
Mekong River separates these two Countries, Vientiane, Laos
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I am always in search for true colors and besides the question above, which is my favorite photograph I also get often ask about my colors. The colors in my images are real and have not been manipulated using editing software.
"I have seen colors which I thought didn't exist, but they do." - Gunther Deichmann
One of many Battambang's Monasteries, Cambodia
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Amazing colors are all around us, finding and seeking the right combination one needs to see; no need to distort something which is already provided by nature or human. It is all out there, in front of us ready for the taking with what ever camera you use, let your eyes guide you, separating colors from the background.
Lets look at the world through our eyes, not through photo-editing tools. But have said that, we almost don't get a choice these days…in the digital age we have to use Computers and editing softwares; I am still looking for a roll of Ektachrome to be processed, that I shot recently in Cambodia. My last roll of film? If I ever get it processed…
Festival time on Inle Lake, Myanmar
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Battambang, Cambodia
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All my camera settings are pretty much set on default and my images are processed with Aperture 3 using only the RAW Image conversion, color temperature, slightly sharpening, a little contrast and the usual cropping/straightening tools and of course getting rid of sensor dust, that little evil thing in digital photography.
During the film days we didn't have all those tools, you had to do a lot of bracketing and if you missed it then that was-it. Now we have all these options, but I honestly believe in Travel, Nature, Journalism, Geographical Photography etc., we should tell the truth.
Bagan, Myanmar
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Mandalay, Myanmar
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Luang Prabang, Laos
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Luang Prabang, Laos
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Moving Nuns - Kyauk Se Monastery, Myanmar
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Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
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Just one more...
Tonle Sap, Cambodia
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Essentially, I have made no changes since the good old Kodachrome film days on how I approach and create images today. My approach and my soul are the same, and this is my philosophy about light and color.
GD
Adventure Travel Photography: Tourists to the rescue…& another Deja Vu at Tham Theung Caves, Laos
The endless Journey Continues…
Working with what you've got…even Tourists come in
handy sometimes, the story behind the photos.
During our recent GD Photo Workshop in Laos we visited the Pak Ou caves overlooking the Mekong River some 25 km from Luang Prabang in Laos; it is here where the mouth of the River Ou meets the mighty Mekong.
A group of caves on the left side of the Mekong river, about two hours boat ride upstream from Luang Prabang.
I had visited the lower cave called Tham Ting (lower cave) some 20 years ago and with the exception of more tourists swarming around and more Buddha statues were deposited, little had changed over the years.
Hundreds of Buddha statues and relics in all shape and sizes have been brought here over many years by loyal Buddhist devotees.
Mind you 20 years ago I was the only visitor to this cave and actually could crawl around more easily, but that is not possible anymore.
20 years ago Pak Ou Caves Tham Ting (lower cave)
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It is a difficult task to shoot or create interesting Images when so many Tourist get in the way…
but I guess they also have the right to be there.
Oh my… I am so glad I visited this place 20 years ago…
hmmm sounds a bit selfish.
Pak Ou Caves Tham Ting (lower cave) Sept. 2011
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After about 45 minutes our Group decided to move on to the upper cave Tham Theung in the hope for better shooting conditions. I had never been to this cave before and someone told us it is some 150 steps up…ha, ha, it felt more like 300 steps.
After some puffing and sweating we made it… only to find out, there is zero light insight. Oh boy…did I sweat and puff for nothing?
With no Tripod and only the little pop up flash on my Nikon D300s (left my D700 in the boat and was in no mood to climb the stairs again) I thought this is going to be a tough one, besides this cave was big.
Upper Cave Tham Theung - Sept. 2011
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But luck was on our side, at the entrance of the cave a local woman selling flashlights for hire to Tourists. Upon entering the cave I realized that even with these flashlights there is no way of getting any decent images…
I almost gave up, when all of a sudden a large group of Italian Tourist appeared, all equipped with the for hire flashlights; and for sure a good business day for the local lady at the entrance, ha, ha.
Upper Cave Tham Theung - Sept. 2011
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The only thing left for me to do… finding a suitable “Tripod” a crack, a ledge, anything on the cave wall facing the right direction.
I got it… jammed the camera into a crack, pushed hard and holding on (you might end up with a few scratches on your Camera but other then that, it works, besides holding your breath) now I instructed my assistant Arj to shine his torch towards the temple area.
There was also Mojan left behind from our Group, who at the time of the exposure was still wondering around and exploring the cave; of course this added a bit of extra light too.
Upper Cave Tham Theung - Sept. 2011
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But I still did not get enough light for a good and usable shot… then the Italian Tourists entered the cave and came to my rescue… shining their flashlights in all direction…wow and thank you.
I left the shutter open for about 4 seconds and let the Tourists paint the cave for me with their flashlights.
I might mention that my ISO setting was not very high either, I try to avoid using super high ISO setting whenever possible.
My setting for most of these shots: Focal Lengths 18mm, 640 ISO f/5.6 and varying the exposure between 4 and 6 sec. bracketing my exposure as much as possible and NO flash.
So there you have it, sometimes Tourist’s do come in very handy and in this case they added also scale to the image.
On the other hand how could I have done these shots 20 years ago? There were no Tourists and the upper cave was off limits...
GD
Travel Photography: Deja vu…recreating a Photo at the same location...but 12 years later.
Deja vu…recreating a Photo at the same location…
but 12 years later in Myanmar, the story behind the Photo
I visited Nyaung Shwe also known as Yawnghwe) a town a few kilometers north of Inle Lake in the Shan State of Myanmar for the first time some 12 years ago.
While driving through the town I spotted this amazing Monastery build out of Teakwood during the 19th Century with a Novice Monk standing at the oval shape window.
Oh boy… what a nice image I thought…so I loaded another roll of film in this case Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA and started to shoot. Years have past now and many images have been produced by a variety of Photographers with and without Monks at this Monastery.
I might add that the shot I took 12 years ago was not at all a setup; it just so happens that this Monk was actually standing at the window when I spotted it and this photo was later published many times.
Now 12 years later and during our GD Photo Workshop last October we made a stop at this remarkable Monastery again.
Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA or Digital?
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I had actually planned this all along to re create the image I took some 12 years ago, but of course there was very little hope that a Monk was standing again at the window. Well…we arrived and sure enough there was NO Monk standing there.
Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA or Digital?
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OK I thought, let’s recreate the images and I ask politely one of the Novice Monks to stand in about the same position at the window, then I went outside and took the image.
I normally don’t set shots up, but in this case I found it interesting what I could come up with, shooting digital instead of Kodachrome film from the same location but 12 years later.
An interesting exercise and the Monk I had picked was about the same age from what I remembered years ago.
I let you decide which of the two images featured is Digital or Kodachrome 200 film, I might add that the digital image was shot at the same 200 ISO and no Photoshop or other manipulation has been used.
I only used Aperture 3 with the raw conversion, some straightening, a little cropping (the same in the Kodachrome Image) added a little contrast, minor sharpening and adjusted the color temperature to daylight taken in to consideration the overcast sky.
This amazing teakwood monastery has not changed much at all except for the surrounding areas that have now additional more modern looking buildings, other than that it was pretty much the same.
The monastery is over 150 years old and sits on sturdy stilts, a protection for occasional flooding coming from the Inle Lake.
The temple next to the Monastery
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Next to the monastery you can find a small but very amazing temple that is absolutely worth a visit, housing hundreds of little Buddha statues and incredible artwork along the walls.
The temple next to the Monastery
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So, there you have it 12 years later, little has changed and I hope it will stay like this for many more years to come.
GD
Travel Photography:The story behind the photos, “A little Girl and her simple way recycling soft drink cans.”
The story behind the photos…
“A little Girl and her simple way recycling soft drink cans.”
This is the story about a little Girl at Phnom Sampeou, (Killing Caves) in the rural area of Battambang.
It was during our last Photo Workshop in Cambodia and we just finished the day at Phnom Sampeou, worn out and thirsty!
We bought some soft drinks at the local store and waiting for the million of bats to appear out of
a cave at dusk along the road, it was our last shoot for the day.
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All of a sudden this little girl appeared, collecting the empty cans, sorting them out and given me the occasional shy look.
I was watching her and kept shooting a few frames now and then, as she playfully emptied the leftovers before she arranged the cans along the road.
By now it was getting very dark and I had to push my ISO higher as she kept arranging the cans in a very playful manner and I was wondering…is she collecting them or is she just playing?
Vehicles and pushbikes going by, but this little girl was paying no attention to the traffic or our group, she just kept on lining up her cans.
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Now neatly arranged, she suddenly started to jump up an down flattening the cans with her feet, picked them up and disappeared as quick as she had arrived.
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The process of a very simple recycling was complete, I am sure the only thing left to do for her was to take the flattened cans and sell them for a few Riel (Cambodian currency) at the local Village.
GD
Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar, the first post after a long Journey with the Travel Adventure GD Photo Workshops.
For todays post only a collage but soon I upload all the separate photos from "Behind The Scene" & also the "Students Work."
Ouch…it has been more then 6 weeks since my last Blog post but the last Journey was a long one, traveling in areas with non-or poor Internet connection.
Then I got home and had to shake of a bad cold for a week. But to be honest, I survived without the net nicely and had more time on the road creating images and looking after my Photo Workshop participants in Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar.
Before I go into more details let me first thank all of the participants who joined my last Journey Through Color and Time.
Thanks to: Ladies first… Christina and Vi. Now the Boys: Bob, Tony, David, Bebet, Mojan, Rod, Mojan, Loy and Richard and Arj my trusted assistant. (Thanks for your tireless help in Laos and Cambodia unfortunately you could not make it with us to Myanmar)
It was a wonderful group and most of them joined all three destinations covering Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar by road and air. It was an adventure for sure, with very rough roads in Laos and Myanmar, monsoon rain drenched us or the scorching sun hit us in Myanmar.
All in search for the ultimate image, but everybody hang in there. Well, I might add we had some veteran amongst us who travelled and participated in previous workshops with me, e.g..
Like the never tiring Tony, David or the energetic Loy…but even the new comers did extremely well, in particular Mojan who constantly was on the move even during our stop over in Bangkok prior departure for Yangon.
But I also like to thank all the great people, we photographed (without them no images) and of course my gratitude to our Guides and Drivers through out the Journey who made our travel so much easier and pleasant.
My special thanks also to Alexia and all the staff from Exotissimo who have done a superb job, the staff and management from the Satri House in Luang Prabang, Laos (what an amazing place) and of course to the Heritage Suites Hotel and Heritage Adventures in Siem Reap Cambodia.
Left: The cool Telephones in our rooms at the Satri House, Luang Prabang, Laos, they still work real good believe me.
Right: The super tasty Cake at the Heritage Suites Hotel, thanks again and to Rod who took that shot, somehow Arj was missing in action at that very moment.
I might mention, this year was very special in many ways; for 20 years I have been traveling to Cambodia and 5 Years of the GD Photo Workshops with the Heritage Suites Hotel in Siem Reap (they surprised me with a super cool “Birthday Cake” on our last night) yummy… I can still taste it…and Mojan could not help himself and had three slices, mind you it was a real big Cake.
Buddhist blessing ceremony for our Group at the Heritage Suites Hotel poolside.Thanks Arj for taken these shots.
Then there was the fantastic and real Buddhist blessing Ceremony at the Poolside at the Heritage that really made our last day, thank you so much for everything.
2011 was also my return to Laos after 20 years and Myanmar after 12 years, a very special meaning for me, detailed articles will follow with impressions and changes after so many years.
Well, almost an UN gathering with participants from Spain, Germany, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and the USA. This was particular evident in the evenings during our critic and assessment of the daily assignments.
I am preparing now the photos from “Behind the Scene” (some very funny ones again) and of course “The Students Work”, a selection from each and everyone’s favorite take.
You might take also note that we have moved the “Behind the Scene” and “The Students Work” now to the GD Photo Workshop pages and removed it from my Blog.
Everything is under one roof now and we leave also the previous workshop pages active, which would not have been possible on my Blog.
Check the LINKS above; the latest ones will be up soon as mention above.
We also managed to update my Home Page on my main website with new photos and the SE Asia 4 Gallery has now been completed with some of the latest images.
A complete selection of recent images from all three destinations are also available on PhotoShelter within the next week or so, I keep you posted.
Of course it goes without saying Aperture 3 performed fantastic and non of my images have been processed using PS…all the way Aperture.
Plus stay tuned for some interesting articles on my Blog, which I try to post soon, starting with Laos. Ha, ha I am connected again running a good speed Internet connection…
As a reminder we’re finalizing right now our next Workshops for Sri Lanka – Central India and Bhutan and have only few more spots available.
We have scheduled also an additional very special Workshop for Myanmar for the end of June 2012; full details will be announced shortly.
Until very soon…and no more six week breaks for a while.
GD
Photography: How I love this Quote by Ernst Haas & so fitting prior my Journey to Laos - Cambodia & Myanmar
Through the car window… using the iPhone & my little
Leica, plus my favorite Quote by Ernst Haas.
Through the Taxi window with the iPhone, Manila Philippines
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Finished the last Aperture 3 advanced tutorial at the Power Mac Center last week, got some important meetings out of my way and now the TIME has come…the packing has started (mind you very light) for our Cultural - Archaeological, Travel and Adventure GD Photo Workshops to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar.
I report whenever possible but my Blog Posts will be a bit thin from now on, however I try to stay in touch via Facebook and Twitter.
Through the car window with the iPhone, street vendor during heavy
rain selling Sampaguita ... the national flower of the
Philippines, Manila Philippines
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With the iPhone, on the road from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
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In todays post, definitely the last one prior my departure (next one I have no clue from where) I have chosen only images taken with my iPhone and my little Leica D-Lux 4 which are my companion most of the time and the reason for my favorite quote by Ernst Haas; read the complete story below:
Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Ernst Haas commented on this in a workshop in 1985:
Two laddies from Nova Scotia had made a huge effort to be there and were great Leica fans, worked in a camera store, saved to have them and held Ernst on high for being a Leica user (although he used Nikons on his Marlboro shoots, when the chips were down).
About four days into the workshop, he finally maxxed out on the Leica adoration these kids displayed, and in the midst of a discussion, when one of them asked one more question aimed at establishing the superiority of Wetzlar;
Ernst said, "Leica, schmeica. The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Nobody talked about Leica, Nikon, Canon or any other brand of camera equipment for the rest of the workshop.
He also said, "Best wide-angle lens? 'Two steps backward' and 'look for the ah-ha'."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Haas
Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Street Children cleaning the car windows for a few centavos -
through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Just one more…
Ferme le Lundi - French for "Closed on Monday"
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Yep, that is me in 1992 outside a French Cafe in Phnom Penh and my first visit to Cambodia covering a story on the Mekong River for Animan Magazine, no digital…no laptops, etc. just the good old film…and a bit younger mind you. Since then I have been visiting Cambodia almost yearly, continuously discovering the undiscovered…
and definitely Ferme Le Lundi!
Now the endless Journey continuos…until soon from where ever I might be…GD.
Travel Photography: Asian Geographic Passport just published a cool article & soon reporting from Laos, Cambodia & Myanmar
Shoot it! People & Culture in Asian
Geographic Passport Magazine August 2011
Click the image above or this LINK for a
larger view and the pdf file, click on SPREADS.
Asian Geographic Passport Magazine has just published an article on People & Culture, Tips and tricks on travel Photography, for more info and other interesting articles get your copy now. (August Issue 2011)
This will also be one of my last Blog posts before I am leaving for Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, not enough time while on the road and some areas have non or very poor internet connection. However I try to update everybody via my iPhone on Facebook and Twitter now and then. Of course and this goes without saying, I try my very best to post an update here on my Blog when ever it is possible…the endless Journey continuos.
Shortly we start our last major GD Photo Workshops for 2011 to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar and for those who could not make it (we're fully booked) check out my report/Blog posts on my return with photos from behind the scenes and selected image by our participants. For previous photos behind the scene, testimonials and photos by the participant click the LINKS.
For information on all our GD Photo Workshops in 2012 use this link.
An exciting Journey just around the corner with some very cool surprises and announcements along the way, not to mention our 5th year anniversary in Cambodia which we celebrate at the Heritage Suites Hotel our base in Siem Reap.
Thanks and welcome to our NEW Partner in Asia EXOTISSIMO,
more information about this very exciting news very soon. 
Laos is going to be amazing with its mountains and spectacular scenery and our base in Luang Prabang at the Satri House, in Cambodia we venture into some of the lesser know areas by 4x4 wheel drives, then in Myanmar we have a the full moon with us in Bagan and on the Inle Lake intercepting a very cool Burmese festival along the way.
Thanks again to all my participants for joining this Workshop and I am sure all of them getting ready and excited now to discover the undiscovered.
Our new mini Poster available as pdf upon request.
If I don't find the time anymore for another post prior my departure pls. stay tuned or check your Twitter and Facebook for updates via my iPhone.
GD
Preview of three amazing destinations; Laos - Cambodia - Myanmar, with the GD Photo Workshops Asia.
Laos - Cambodia - Myanmar…
three amazing destinations with the GD Photo Workshops.
Hill Tribes at the Thai-Lao Border
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Hill Tribes at the Thai-Lao Border
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
September is only around the corner before we set off to another adventure, traveling from Thailand on the 22nd by road to Laos, from here we go overland to Luang Prabang exploring this amazing country by road.
I have included some photos from my previous trip to Northern Thailand and Laos, images I took on assignment covering the Mekong River for Animan Magazine in Switzerland, a three month Journey many years ago and taken on Kodachrome film.
After about a week in Laos we travel from Luang Prabang by plane to Pakse and then again by road to Siem Reap in Cambodia for our second GD Photo Workshop.
BTW this is our 5th anniversary for our workshops in Cambodia and I am sure we find some time to celebrate it with some drinks at our Base the Heritage Suites Hotel. After Siem Reap we hit the road again to Battambang where we spend our remaining days in Cambodia exploring this amazing town with its french colonial buildings and the surrounding areas including a trip to Phnom Ek and the Killing Caves.
After Battambang some participants will join me for the road trip from Siem Reap to Bangkok, here we wait for others to arrive before we fly out two days later to Myanmar for some 10 days… discovering the undiscovered.
I am sure everybody is getting excited by now, including myself for this truly adventures Journey soon to start in Bangkok, only a few more weeks and we're on the road.
I am also happy to announce that we're fully booked for all three workshops and for those who missed out this time please check our Calendar for 2012, exotic destinations are planned to Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan (for Bhutan only two more spots available) Tibet - Mongolia and later in the year Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia (for this one we have worked out a very special Itinerary, this one will be awesome). We're also taking bookings now for Sri Lanka-Central India and Bhutan.
For more info, testimonials from previous participants, behind the scenes, students photos, bookings/reservations and Calendar just click the LINKS, thank you.
My thanks to all our partners who have been instrumental in preparing and organizing some of theses difficult destinations; Alexia from Exotissimo Travel Thailand and Laos, The Heritage Suites Hotel Relais & Chateaux and The Heritage Adventures in Cambodia and the Satri House Relais & Chateaux in Laos.
But most of all my sincere thanks to all the participants who are coming from the USA, Australia, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines…almost a United Nations gathering…ha, ha.
Of course once on the road I try and report from our locations and update my Blog, but that depends on the internet connection and speed, however you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter for some short updates via my iPhone.
Laos
Laos has a rich history stretching back 10,000 years. At its height, it ruled over present day Laos and much of neighboring northern Thailand. Landlocked and laid-back, it’s a unique spin on the Southeast Asia experience.
Luang Prabang, Laos
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Luang Prabang, Laos
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Here Buddhism permeates every facet of life, change comes slowly, and cities bed down early. The perfect place to break from office politics or put a pause in a hyperactive travel agenda, this land of mountain, mists and untamed natural beauty tempts with unrivaled peace and serenity.
Open your heart, open your mind, and let the genuine faith and generous hospitality of Laos replenish your soul.
Cambodia
Situated on the Indochinese peninsula, Cambodia is bordered by Thailand and Laos on the North and Vietnam on the East and south. The Gulf of Thailand is off the western coast. The size of Missouri, the country consists chiefly of a large alluvial plain ringed by mountains with the Mekong River to the East. The plain is revolved around Lake Tonle Sap, which is a natural storage basin of the Mekong.
Angkor Wat Siem Reap, Cambodia
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Siem Reap, the provincial ancient capital of Cambodia serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon and the legendary Angkor Wat, whose artistic and archaeological significance and visual impact put it in the same league as the other iconic wonders of the world like the Pyramids, Machu Pichu and Taj Mahal.
The temple ruins of Angkor, Cambodia
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To experience an inimitable Cambodian culture, history and life, you will visit historic monastic complexes like Pre Rup, Preah Khan, Ta Prohm and Phnom Kulen and the Tonle Sap Lake.
Shy Boy at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
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Butterfly's at Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
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Bayon and its many faces, Cambodia
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Not to be missed are Heritage sites like Angkor Wat and The Bayon as well as the Cambodian sunrise, which all provide great photo opportunities for you to hone your photography skills and capture your tapestry of Siem Reap’s rich culture, people and heritage as seen through your Eyes.
Hidden temples during the wet season, Cambodia
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Buddhist Caves
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Depending on weather conditions, we always have a couple surprises visiting also places seldom seen by others. This might change our original itinerary slightly...but this can certainly be very interesting and adventures.
Amazing Myanmar
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Myanmar/Burma
Slightly smaller than Texas, Myanmar occupies the Thailand/Cambodia portion of the Indochinese peninsula. India lies to the Northwest and China to the Northeast. Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand are also neighbors. The Bay of Bengal touches the Southwest coast. The fertile delta of the Irrawaddy River in the South contains a network of interconnecting canals and nine principal river mouths.
Hill Tribes in northern Myanmar
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Myanmar Silk
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The ethnic origins of modern Myanmar (known historically as Burma) are a mixture of Indo-Aryans, who began pushing into the area around 700 B.C. , and the Mongolian invaders under Kublai Khan who penetrated the region in the 13th century. Anawrahta (1044–1077) was the first great unifier of Myanmar.
A happy face amongst eggplants, Yangon Market, Myanmar
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In 1612, the British East India Company sent agents to Burma, but the Burmese doggedly resisted efforts of British, Dutch, and Portuguese traders to establish posts along the Bay of Bengal. Through the Anglo-Burmese War in 1824–1826 and two subsequent wars, the British East India Company expanded to the whole of Burma. By 1886, Burma was annexed to India, then became a separate colony in 1937.
Just one more…
Monk watching a local Soccer Game, Yangon Myanmar
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GD
Announcement: Important info for GD Photo Workshops in Asia, effective new dates Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan 2012
New confirmed and final dates for
Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan 2012
Check our GD Photo Workshop Calendar for more info
SRI LANKA - INDIA 2012- 5 more spots available
March 11 to March 25, 2012
Max. of 10 Participants
Join us for two amazing Adventure GD Photo Workshops to Sri Lanka and Central India.
Breathtaking wildlife and awesome scenery in Sri Lanka plus amazing culture including the Dambulla Cave Temple dating to the first Century BC and a lot more will be on our itinerary. Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka and discover the undiscovered. Our central India workshop will take you back in time; to some seldom seen Cave temples, namely the Ellora and Ajanta cave system.
BHUTAN 2012 Only 3 more spots available, hurry this workshop is filling up very fast. Bookings will close by latest September 15th, 2011
March 27 - April 05, 2012 - 9 Nights
Max. of 8 Participants
This trip covers the highlights of Western Bhutan and focuses on Talo festival. Talo Tsechu is held in the ground near Talo Dzong or Monastery. The village of Talo, high on the hills above Punakha is located at an altitude 2800m. The village is scattered along the hill slopes. Talo Sangnacholing is built on a plateau with has majestic view of surrounding villages. More details and the complete itinerary is available soon.
For bookings and reservations CLICK this LINK
Exciting updates on GD Travel Adventure Photo Workshops, Culture & Nature expeditions through out Asia and beyond.
"My creative process begins when I get out with the camera and
Interact with the world. A camera is truly a license to explore.
There are no uninteresting things.
There are just uninterested people." - Jerry Uelsmann -
Discover the undiscovered… with Gunther Deichmann, Expedition Leader and international multi awarded Photographer. For his full Bio please click this LINK.
These Photo Workshops take you beyond the normal tours, designed for only small groups to give you the maximum attention throughout the Journey.
(Depends on our destinations max. number is between 8 and 12 person.)
Adventure and fun at the same time, stress is not on our agenda, everyday has its little surprises and rewards, from culture experiences, wildlife encounters and fantastic photo opportunities and the whole search is for the unknown, so you can really expect the unexpected.
Learning alongside Gunther, with his vast experiences in Asia and Australia who has traveled these parts of the world for international Magazines for over 30 years.
Gunther’s experience and knowledge brings you closer to your subjects and you learn how to see things in a very different way and light. It is Gunther’s Philosophy about Photography that exposes you to a very different kind of image… a quote by Oscar Wilde says it all; “To look at a thing is very different from seeing it."
GD Photo Workshops are unique in many ways…besides creating beautiful images and experience different cultures there is always an element of fun amongst the participants no matter what nationalities attending. Read some of the testimonials from previous workshop participants. Click here.
More from Behind the scene from our last workshop and the students work click the LINKS.
We take Photography very seriously but at the same time find the precious hours after the shoot to relax and talk about our daily adventures, sharing each other’s experiences and the images we created.
Gunther will also guide you through the process after the shoot, the Digital Darkroom, he has years of experience on a variety of Software including producing Multi Media Presentations.
He is on the Apple Aperture Advisory Board Asia and an Apple Certified Pro Aperture Trainer.
But most of all... "Lets look at the world through our eyes, not through photo-editing tools."
Please Note: Our workshops for Laos-Cambodia 2011 is now fully booked and we have only one more spot for Myanmar but if you're still interested you have to confirm your bookings by the 20th of August.
We have also announced our destinations and Calendar dates for 2012 and working very close now with one of the Top Travel Agencies in Asia (soon there will be a major announcement regarding this exciting new development)
Besides Sri Lanka and Central India in 2012 we travel also to Mongolia - Tibet and a very exciting adventure Journey through Vietnam -Laos and Cambodia by road.
Please note the dates for our Bhutan Trip might change slightly due to some festivals which we don't want to miss, we advise very shortly. There are only 3 more spots available for this amazing Journey into Bhutan. Booking for Bhutan closes by September 15th latest.
Vietnam Delta
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In 2013 Gunther will lead a very special trip to Australia his home Country which he knows only so well; the outback and the amazing wildlife of Kakadu National Park. A 14 day Journey to some places seldom seen by others. More details will be announced later @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html
Rare Aboriginal Ceremony Central Australia
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Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia 2010
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“Journey means travel. The more you travel, the more you
broaden your horizon and experience different cultures.
And to me that translate into photography." - GD -
Travel Photography: Sri Lanka’s beautiful people, caves and Buddhism culture, the story behind the photos.
The Journey continuos in Sri Lanka...
Dambula Rock Caves, Sri Lanka
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This is the final part from my last journey to Sri Lanka and Central India; well Sri Lanka was actually the first part of my trip, don’t ask me why this became last, I honestly don’t know.
I have selected just a few photos for this short but rewarding Journey and if you like to see more please feel free to check out all the other photos from Sri Lanka on my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.
Paintings and statues inside the Dambula Rock Caves, Sri Lanka
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I left from Manila with my friend Hubert Weber via Bangkok and arrived just after midnight in Colombo, a long day indeed.
After an hour drive we got to our Hotel and managed to get a few hours sleep, but it was more like 2 hours since we had to hit the road to the Dambula Cave Temple in the morning…oh my gosh it was morning already.
Tiered but the adrenalin was doing a good job, it was after all my first visit to Sri Lanka, and right from the arrival I had a very good feel about it, the people seem to be very nice, actually super nice as we discovered during our entire trip.
On the way to the Dambula Caves there were lots of photo opportunities along the road, from Rubber plantations, handcrafted Batik, the famous Ceylon Tea,and so many other interesting subjects including a snake charmer with a huge Python and Cobra and of course Dambula which had been on my agenda for many years.
Dambulla is a part of the Cultural Triangle declared by UNESCO is on the main road from Sigiriya to Kandy about 19Km from Sigiriya. There are over 80 caves in the surrounding and some of them have been used by monks as meditation locations.
Buddha statues inside theDambula Rock Caves, Sri Lanka
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The Corridor outside the Dambula Rock Caves, Sri Lanka
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Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain the statues and the paintings. Since it's founding in the 1 century BC by King Valagamba, many improvements and additions have been carried out to the sculptures and paintings over the years. Hindu statues are believed to be of the 12 century AD and the latest paintings are of the late 18-century. The temple is a perfect location to view evolution of the ancient Sri Lankan arts.
We reached Dambula mid afternoon…by now we felt the long hours without sleep, only to be told by our charming Guide that we had to climb (a lot of steps) to the Temple Cave.
I almost collapsed half way up…my energy was fading fast from lack of sleep and long hours on the road, puffing… I had no choice but to hire a friend of our Guide who just happen to be there to help me and carry my backpack …or was this planned?
Uhhh… we made it, just in time for the nice afternoon light which blessed us for the remaining few hours before sunset, and what a sunset it was…all the hard work paid off.
Sri Lanka another place I have to return too, not only for its amazing culture, but also for its Landscapes and rich Wildlife. As a matter of fact we’re having a GD Photo Workshop in 2012 to Sri Lanka and Central India - discovering the undiscovered, for example the not so frequently visited Rock Cave Temple Aluviharaya near Matale.
Aluvihara cave temple Sri Lanka
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Aluvihara cave temple is surrounded by hills, 30 km south of Kandy on the Matale-Dambulla road is having a great historic importance. The history of Aluvihara is traced back to the 3rd Century B.C. in the reign of King Devanampiyatissa.
Aluvihare is one of the most important cultural sites in Sri Lanka.It was believed to be, Buddhist doctrines were first recorded on Ola leaves after passing through orally, here in the 1st century BC, during the reign of King Vattagamini Abaya.This Dhamma record is known as 'Thripitakaya' and to day it is concern as main guiding Dhamma book of Theravada Buddhism.Aluvihare is significant for the huge rocks which leads to classified it as a rock temple.
People of Sri Lanka
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People of Sri Lanka
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People of Sri Lanka
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Of course Kandy was on our itinerary, the last royal capital of Sri Lanka that is now a major tourist destination. (115kM from Colombo at 465 meters above sea level). Famous for the Temple of the Tooth and many other temples, the city could be called the cultural capital of the island.
I short…Sri Lanka is an amazing place with its friendly people, rich culture, amazing landscapes and unique wildlife, truly inviting for many more visits.
Batik handycraft, Sri Lanka
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Meditation at the temple of the Tooth, Kandy Sri Lanka
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Worshiping and meditation at the temple of the Tooth, Kandy Sri Lanka
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Just one more...
Young boy with incense, Sri Lanka
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Oh did I forget to mention all the Elephants? But that is another story…my next post will be from Bangkok, Thailand, so please stay tuned.
GD
Travel Photography: Medieval Labyrinth, Bats & a replica Taj Mahal, discover the undiscovered in India.
A Medieval Fort... a Labyrinth with Bats & a replica Taj Mahal,
discover the undiscovered in Incredible India.
Muslim School Children in Aurangabad Town, India
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Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad, India
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Medieval is putting it mildly... after I paid a visit to Aurangabad and discovered the undiscovered, in particular roaming around all day at the Daulatabad Fort with its spooky labyrinth and fortifications.
This was definitely going back in time… Daulatabad Fort is also very different from other Indian Forts I visited before…medieval is the right description for sure.
But there are many other interesting sights, like the perfect replica of the Taj Mahal or the Aurangabad Caves, yet another interesting cave system.
The Aurangabad Caves are small in comparison to Ellora and Ajanta but showcasing yet another achievement from ancient times.
Located close to the city these caves are visited less by tourists, but rather more often by local teenager using them as a lover’s hideout.
Daulatabad Fort and the Victory Pillar is 210 feet high and is a very good specimen of Persian art in India.
The minar was constructed in memory of a victory over Gujrat,Sujrat, by Sultan Al-ud-din Bahamani (Ahamadshah II ) in 1435 A.D. Aurangabad, India
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The city of Aurangabad is known for its medieval monuments and cultural heritage. It was the seat of the Mughal Empire for a short period. The city boasts of Bibi-ka-Makbara, a tomb that has some resemblance to the Taj Mahal.
I found out later that even most Indians don’t know that there is a “second Taj Mahal” in the country, a perfect replica but only about a third in size in comparison to the Taj in Agra. This mausoleum is also termed as 'poor man's Taj Mahal' owing to it being a poor replica of the Taj.
The importance of Aurangabad is great, owing to its proximity with world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora. These sites have Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples.
Aurangabad the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, India replica of the famous Taj mahal Mugal architecture
build in 1678 by Aurangzeb's son in memory of his mother Bgum Rabia Durani, India
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Replica of the famous Taj Mahal, Aurangabad, India
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The heritage of Aurangabad is linked with different Muslim rulers and dynasties of India. The city was founded in 1610, on the site of a village named Khirki, by a local Muslim noble Malik Ambar.
Muslim walking outside the the Bibi-ka-Maqbara,
with shadows of replica of the famous Taj Mahal
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His son Fateh Khan ruled it and named the city as Fatehpur in 1626. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal ruler, took over this city in 1653 and renamed it as Aurangabad. Due to its strategic location in peninsular India, Aurangzeb made Aurangabad his capital. He used this city as a base to quell the rising power of the Marathas.
Daulatabad Fort and the Victory Pillar is 210 feet high and is a very good specimen of Persian art in India. The minar was constructed in memory of a victory over Gujrat,Sujrat, by Sultan Al-ud-din Bahamani (Ahamadshah II ) in 1435 A.D. Aurangabad, India
Inside the Fort there is an amazing Labyrinth build as a defense for invading forces, here you see bats hanging of the ceiling, a must but spooky walk.
Oh…how I love these sorts of places…and this one was right up my alley!
Bats in side the Labyrinth at Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad, India
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The ceiling is covered in the Labyrinth with thousand of bats
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My local guide made jokes about it before entering the labyrinth, teasing and trying to scare me…well he didn’t know me yet. After I went through the passages I said to him that like to go back and spend more time inside to get additional photos of the Bats…
he looked at me strangely and said… you’re the first person I met who really enjoyed this… I answered him…
my dear friend, I thrive on this!
A local Girl at Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad, India
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Aurangabad is a good base for visiting the Ellora and Ajanta Caves that I described in my earlier articles and one can spend easy a few days here wondering around discovering the undiscovered.
Aurangabad is definitely worth a visit and I shall return again to this part of the world, yet another Incredible part of India.
Aurangabad Caves excavated between 1st and 6th Century AD, India
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Indian Sikh at Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad
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In 2012 our GD Photo Workshop will take place in this area and if you have a sense of adventure, a love for Photography then why not join us to one of the lesser visited places in India.
GD
Just one more...
Monkeys roaming the Daulatabad Fort
in Aurangabad, India
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Travel Photography: India Part 3 - Kailasa the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora & the story behind the photos continuous.
“Discover the undiscovered.” – Kailasa Temple; awesome
architecture and the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora.
My first impression was nothing less except...WOW!
It took almost a century to build and is considered as the world’s
largest monolithic structure. Kailasa the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora, India.
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You’re speechless once you stand in front of this awesome architecture know as the Kailasa that is certainly the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora, and it was only a few days ago when I stumbled up on an article on the web from the
“PopPhoto” Magazine with the Headline “The 25 Best Places to Photograph on Planet Earth”.
Sure enough, under the subtitle ”Ancient Worlds” the very first image was that of the Carpenter Cave in Ellora that I described recently in part 2 of my Blog.
Amazing I thought…I have just been there a couple of month ago. The other place mention under “Ancient Worlds” of course was no other than Angkor Wat in Cambodia a place that I have been visiting since 1992 and do so again this coming September.(GD Photo Workshops Asia: Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar)
View from above the Kailasa Temple Ellora - India.
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Kailasa Temple covering an area about double the size of Parthenon in Athens,
and was covered initially with white plaster trying to portray the similarity to
the snow covered Mount Kailash in Tibet.
So, let me introduce you to this amazing temple (Cave 16), also known as the Kailasa or the Kailasanatha, yet another place I can return to over and over again!
Designed to recall Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva and looks like a freestanding, multi-storied temple complex… but this one was carved out of one single rock!
The Kailash temple like all other caves in Ellora are covered in astonishing frescoes that are masterpieces of Buddhist art.
The construction of this cave was a feat of human genius — it entailed removal of 200,000 tones of rock, and took some 100 years to complete.
Kailasa carved out of a single rock, Ellora - India.
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Its builders modeled it on the lines of the Virupaksha Temple
in Pattadakal. Being a south Indian style temple, it does not have
a shikhara common to north Indian temples.
Just so awesome and impressive...
Kailasa carved out of a single rock, Ellora - India.
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Photography was extreme difficult again due to mixed light sources inside the temples and not been able to use a Tripod or Flash added another difficulty.
A real challenge, however with experience, a lot of patience and a steady hand I managed quiet well. Of course picking the right time of the day is very important too when taken photographs outside, there are plenty subjects to choose from with in the outside temple area.
Like with all the other caves, Ajanta and Ellora all photos been processed with Aperture 3 only, using in most cases only the basic RAW file adjustments, however in some of the cave images additional adjustments were required, mainly adjusting the White Balance using also Aperture 3 this was required due to the extreme mix light conditions in these caves.
No other software or other manipulations has been applied.
Awesome sculptures, detailed frescos or just playing with shadows and light and occasionally adding the ever so colorful Indian women into the frame.
Movement, visitors to the Kailasa temple Ellora - India.
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The spectacular carvings are done in more than one level
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The temple is a splendid achievement of Dravidian art. This project was started by
Krishna I (757–773) of the Rashtrakuta dynasty that ruled from Manyakheta in present
day Karnataka state. His rule had also spread to southern India, hence this temple was
excavated in the prevailing style. Ellora - India.
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Now, if you ever get the feeling or the urge to go back in time discovering the undiscovered, then a visit to this amazing place should be on you next travel Itinerary.
Or join our next GD Photo Workshops Asia 2012 to Central India for an amazing journey into the past, visiting Ellora, Ajanta and other amazing places. At least for a few days you can be “Indiana Jones”, or simply sit back and imagining what it was like hundreds of years ago.
The courtyard is edged by columned galleries three story high with huge
sculpted panels, and alcoves containing enormous sculptures of a variety of
deities that punctuate the galleries.
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These Indian women adding scale and
color to the Kailasa Temple
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Please stay tuned for my next travel adventure blog when I take you to Aurangabad, my base from where I visited Ellora and Ajanta. I keep you a bit in suspense now… but Aurangabad is another awesome place seldom mention, mysterious and very rewarding as I discovered the undiscovered.
But now I have to run... I am long over due for a glass of good red wine at my favorite Cave Werdenberg Wine Bar, yet another Cave but this one is a bit different... until soon,
Cheers GD
Travel Photography India:Part 2 the challenge continuous at Ellora Caves, unsurpassed in Indian art & the story behind the photos.
In one of my previous post I gave you an introduction to the Ajanta Caves in India,
a marvel in Indian history and art that is unsurpassed, today I take you to the
Ellora Caves another marvel in human history.
The Buddhist "Carpenter's" cave (Cave 10) Ellora India.
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In between my usual travel articles I had to take short break due to the announcement and a few important details re.the new Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5 and Compressor 4. Then more news about the new Underwater Magazine “The World's Journal of Ocean Photo & Video,” but now lets get back to these truly remarkable caves in India… ”Indian Jones” has returned with Part 2.
Ellora Caves, India
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The Ellora Caves are no different in their amazing architecture, with the exception that they have fewer paintings but feature more impressive and very intricate sculptures, in particularly the rich ornamentation found through out these caves. These Caves regarded as a world heritage site and located in the lap of the Chamadari hills some 30 km from Aurangabad, India,
Huge halls and pillars with intricate Sculptures and artwork at the Ellora Caves, India
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Ellora is another amazing place that begs for a few more visits, actually one can spend a whole day in just one cave, wondering around dreaming of the past… thinking what it was like during the days of their occupation.
Closing your eyes you can almost hear the chant of Buddhist monks echoing through these massive hallways, oh… how I love these places, I wonder if Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones) ever visit these caves… if not, he missed out very badly.
Incredible and intricate Sculptures and artwork at the Ellora Caves, India
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Like with the Ajanta Caves most of the cave temples are not active with ceremonies or other rituals these days, with the “exception” of the five Jain caves at Ellora. Sometimes Jain sect followers visit these caves and worship their masters from the past, as I witnessed during my visit, a rare occasion and a lucky day for me. (see the images below)
The Buddhist "Carpenter's" cave (Cave 10) Ellora India.
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In all 34 caves were excavated here out of which Cave 1 to 12 are Buddhist,
13 to 29 are Brahmanical and 30 to 34 are Jaina.
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These Jain caves belong to the ninth and tenth centuries and all belong to the Digambara sect. Jain caves reveal specific dimensions of Jain philosophy and tradition. They reflect a strict sense of asceticism, they are not relatively large as compared to others, but they present exceptionally detailed art works.
Nuns from the Jain Sect still worshiping in some of the caves,these Jain caves belong
to the ninth and tenth centuries and all belong to the Digambara sect.
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Nuns from the Jain Sect still visiting some of the Jain caves today, these Jain caves belong
to the ninth and tenth centuries and all belong to the Digambara sect.
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The Vishvakarma
The Buddhist "Carpenter's" cave (Cave 10)
Wow… I stopped in amazement when I enter this cave, looking up onto the ceiling send shiver down my spine…thinking how this could had been done with such precision and just the basic tools. Creativity and hard workmanship not to mention the incredible engineering feat, all of this just blew me away.
Visitors to the the Buddhist "Carpenter's" cave (Cave 10) Ellora India.
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The Vishvakarma (Cave 10) is the only chaitya griha amongst the Buddhist group of caves. It is locally known as Vishvakarma or Sutar ka jhopda (carpenter's hut). It follows the pattern of construction of Caves 19 and 26 of Ajanta.
On stylistic grounds, the date of construction of this cave is assigned to c.700. The chaitya once had a high screen wall, which is ruined at present. At the front is a rock-cut court, which is entered through a flight of steps.
On either side are pillared proticos with chambers in their back walls. These were probably intended to have subsidiary shrines but not completed. The pillared verandah of the chaitya has a small shrine at either end or a single cell in the far end of the back wall.
The corridor columns have massive square shafts and ghata-pallava (vase and foliage) capitals. The main hall is apsidal on plan and is divided in to a central nave and side aisles by 28 octagonal columns with plain bracket capitals.
In the apsidal end of the chaitya hall is a stupa on the face of which a colossal 3.30 m high seated Buddha in vyakhyana mudra (teaching posture) is carved. A large Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) is carved at the back. The hall has a vaulted roof in which ribs have been carved in the rock imitating the wooden ones.
Photography was extreme difficult again due to strange mixed light sources and not been able to use a Tripod or Flash as I have explained in my previous Blog post from the Ajanta caves. Another real challenge, however with experience a lot of patience and a steady hand, remarkable images can be created.
This location like Ajanta will also be challenging during our GD Photo Workshop in 2012 but an experience and an excellent learning curve in low light condition; working with a minimal amount of equipment. An amazing place, one should visit in a lifetime to "discover the undiscovered."
A good example of an unfinished artwork at the Ellora Caves, India.
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All photos been processed with Aperture 3 only, using in most cases only the basic RAW file adjustments, however in some of the cave images additional adjustments were required, mainly adjusting the White Balance using also Aperture 3 this was required due to the extreme mix light conditions in these caves.
No other software or other manipulations has been applied. I used the Nikon D700 and for all the interiors the Nikkor 12mm to 24mm lens.
Outside view at the Ellora Caves, India.
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Soon to follow; the Ellora Caves and part 3, then Aurangabad and Sri Lanka or you can join our GD Photo Workshop in 2012 and experience yourself Incredible India.
In part 3 of this awesome place I introduce you to Cave 16, also known as the Kailasa or the Kailasanatha. It is the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora, designed to recall Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva and looks like a freestanding, multi-storied temple complex, but it was carved out of one single rock, and covers an area double the size of Parthenon in Athens. Initially the temple was covered with white plaster thus even more increasing the similarity to snow covered Mount Kailash.
Please stay tuned for part 3 for another example of ancient human architecture from Incredible India. I was speechless when I arrived at this awesome structures for the first time, I had never seen anything like it before that was so amazing and carved out of a single rock with such details and precision as cave 16 Kailasa or Kailasanatha temple.
GD
Travel Photography: The story behind the Photos: A challenge at Ajanta Caves, unsurpassed in Indian art.
A challenge at the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO
world heritage site & unsurpassed in Indian art. 
Movement - a person adding scale to one out of 30
massive caves at Ajanta, India.
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In preparation for Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar…oops this should read... Sri Lanka and India, I am going to post a series of articles within the next few weeks from my recent trip to Sri Lanka and Central India, our next destination for the GD Photo Workshops in early 2012.
September is only around the corner for our last trip in 2011 to Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar and in between a short trip to Thailand…Time is flying so fast and I don’t have much of this “commodity” at the moment, only a few more month left to introduce you to some stories behind the photos before reporting direct from our locations in Laos and Cambodia, unfortunately no live reports from Myanmar.
Blog post’s from amazing Sri Lanka, or the totally mind-blowing caves in Central India carved out of solid rock, a marvel in history and human engineering. After seeing this amazing place I came to the conclusion, that if anyone comes to me these days and said, I am sorry I can’t do this…I shake my head, smile and say…my good friend, you have no Idea what can be done!
I guess that is why they call it “Incredible India.”
Lets start with the Ajanta Caves; it was my dream for many years to visit these caves in Central India, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves in my pursuit of ancient Buddhism culture through out Asia.
Ajanta Cave system, India.
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Temples are hollowed out of granite cliffs on the inner side of
a 20-meter ravine, Ajanta, India.
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This painting depicting the Birthplace of Buddha,in Lumbini which is now
part of Nepal. Fresco-type paintings that are the chief interest of Ajanta.
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A Photographers paradise and a nightmare at the same time…you’re not allowed to use a Tripod and any kind of strobes (flash) or other lights; a real challenge but with experience a lot of patience and a steady hand, remarkable images can be created.
The reasons for these restrictions are obvious, it is the fresco-type paintings that are in fantastic condition and need to be preserved for generations to come.
Temples are hollowed out of granite cliffs on the inner side of
a 20-meter ravine, Ajanta, India.
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It maybe an obstacle for some visitors/photographers but for me it is a welcome precaution for the preservation of this unique treasure cove and in line with my Philosophy; “sometimes it is better to take home the memory instead pursuing the image.”
This location will certainly be challenging during our GD Photo Workshop in 2012 but also an experience and an excellent learning curve in low light condition; working with a minimal amount of equipment. An amazing place, one should visit in a lifetime to "discover the undiscovered."
All photos have been processed with Aperture 3 only, using in most cases only the basic RAW file adjustments, however in some of the cave images additional adjustments were required, mainly adjusting the White Balance using also Aperture 3 due to the extreme mix light conditions in these caves. No other software or other manipulations has been applied. I used the Nikon D700 and for all the interiors the Nikkor 12mm to 24mm lens.
Please stay tuned or subscribe to my RSS feed for more on this amazing area, soon to follow; the Ellora Caves, Aurangabad and Sri Lanka or join our GD PhotoWorkshop in 2012.
GD
These paintings depict colorful Buddhist legends and divinities with an
exuberance and vitality that is unsurpassed in Indian art.
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The sculpture, particularly the rich ornamentation of the caitya pillars
is in very fine details and well preserved.
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Amazing sculptures through out the caves.
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Ajanta, a UNESCO world heritage site, is famous for its Buddhist rock-cut cave temples and monasteries with their extraordinary wall paintings. The temples are hollowed out of granite cliffs on the inner side of a 20-meter ravine in the Wagurna River valley, 105 km northeast of Aurangabad, at a site of great scenic beauty.
About 30 caves were excavated between the 1st century BCE and the 7th century CE and are of two types, caityas ("sanctuaries") and viharas ("monasteries"). Although the sculpture, particularly the rich ornamentation of the caitya pillars, is noteworthy, it is the fresco-type paintings that are the chief interest of Ajanta.
These paintings depict colorful Buddhist legends and divinities with an exuberance and vitality that is unsurpassed in Indian art. - Adapted from Encyclopedia Britannica-
Just one more..
.
Ajanta Caves, India.
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GD Adventure Photo Workshops Asia:Unforgettable places & faces...discover the undiscovered!
Our next Journey through Color & Time the
GD Adventure Photo Workshop starts in September 2011.
"Unforgettable places and faces...discover the undiscovered."
For more information on all our Photo Workshops in 2011/2012 please click this LINK or the photo above.
For Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar we have only two (2) more spots available, if you like to join these you have to finalize your bookings by latest June 10, 2011. We can't except any more bookings after this date.
Our exciting Photo Workshop to Bhutan is also filling up fast, we have only four (4) more spots available, this one you have to book early, by latest on or before October 15, 2011, we're taken reservation now, first come first serve basis.
This workshop is for a max. of 8 participants only!
Feedback and testimonials from previous workshop participants please click this LINK.
I am looking forward now to our Adventure Travel Photo Workshop into Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar, I have worked out a super exciting Itinerary, but I am also happy in catching up with some good old friends especially from our base in Siem Reap the Heritage Suites Hotel. Our "Famous Round Table" will be of some very good use again.
In early July I have a three day workshop with the Filipinas Heritage Library in Manila and later that month a week long trip to Thailand for some interesting photography.
GD
Travel Photography: The story behind the photos, one morning at the Varanasi Railway station.
The story behind the photos…
One early morning at the Varanasi Railway station, India.
Is he checking me out? Inside the Ticketing area,Varanasi Railway Station, India
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Railway stations are always fascinating especially in India where massive crowds gather, for millions a very affordable transportation system in India.
Varanasi one of India's most holiest City, is no exception on the contrary it is a colorful beehive like atmosphere, where everyday people come and go including pilgrims from all over the country visiting this Holy place called Varanasi.
On the Platform at Varanasi Railway Station, India
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Varanasi Junction, popularly known as Varanasi Cant Railway Station is the major rail hub in the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the busiest stations in India and more than 230 trains passing through here on a daily basis.
Extreme contrast not only for photography, the light varies from very dark inside the building to India’s scorching sun outside on the platform.
Passengers inside the waiting room, Varanasi Train Station, India
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Passengers inside the waiting room, Varanasi Train Station, India
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But the contrast amongst people from all walks of life is what makes this Railway station so very special not to mention the Holy Cows trying to “catch a ride... maybe.”
These Cows or even Bulls wondering in and out of the station undisturbed and if by any chance one of them should stand in front of the train, well… there is for sure a delay in the departures… Holy Cow indeed.
Holy Cow...but in this case it is a big Bull wondering around
at the Varanasi Train Station, India
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Amazing, crazy and utterly weird but ever so interesting is the scene which plays in front of you everyday, passengers stepping over spaced out people who had to many drinks the night before or took on just a bit to much during the Holi Festival, this is what that sums up the Varanasi Railway station.
But somehow the system works and is fairly efficient, as I had experienced some years ago in Mumbai where you find not one but numerous railway stations, super crowded but it works.
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A blur of people and color passes by this man who obviously past out from to much
to drink during the Holi Festival the night before.Varanasi Train Station, India
(The Holi Festival is not only celebrated on one day, it all depends in which State of
India you are and Holi making can go on for a whole week.)
A family inside the waiting room, Varanasi Train Station, India
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Interesting people and faces at Varanasi Train Station, India
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More images from the Railway Station and other locations in Varanasi @ PhotoShelter
GD
Now on PhotoShelter…Nepal 2011, from Marijuana smoking Sadus to awesome colors & the bizarre.
From Marijuana smoking Sadus to amazing colors, Buddhist Monks,
plus the strange and bizarre...all this from Nepal now on PhotoShelter.
Afternoon sunlight and a Sadu in his element...Kathmandu, Nepal
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After a very busy week I managed to update and upload the latest images from my recent trip and workshop in Nepal.
Last week I was really tied up with lectures on the Digital Darkroom (mind you NO Photoshop) that was organized by the Filipinas Heritage Library and the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, Makati.
Three 3 hour sessions with 15 students and all about Aperture 3 the Digital Darkroom, the workflow after the shoot and backing up your important photos on external hard drives.
But today I found time and caught up with my editing on Nepal and uploaded them on my PhotoShelter Archives and Gallery.
A Sadu's mirror...Kathmandu, Nepal
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Totally bizarre.....Kathmandu, Nepal
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Again all photos have been processed only with Aperture 3, NO image manipulation Photoshop or any other software has been used.
Nepal was the last edit from my recent Journey to Sri Lanka, Central India then to Delhi, & Varanasi, India and Nepal. Thousands of images later, now edited, the few selected ones residing now in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.
Weird, strange but yet so real in Nepal...
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Movement during the Manandhab Ceremony celebrated after the Holi Festival
at the Monkey Temple, Kathmandu Nepal
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The colors of Nepal...
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Culture and Tradition, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Over the weekend I am finalizing my Itinerary’s for our up coming GD Photo Workshops to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar…and believe me…they will be awesome.
BTW…We have only 2 more spots available for Laos and Myanmar and only one more slot for Cambodia, if you’re interested please get in touch with me ASAP all bookings will be closed very shortly. For more info and contacts click this LINK.
Now enjoy Nepal…
GD
A lot more @ PhotoShelter...
Weird, strange & bizarre but yet so beautiful...Kathmandu, Nepal
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Travel Photography: Awesome Sri Lanka, in search for the unusual, now in my PhotoShelter Galleries
Awesome Sri Lanka...in search for the unusual.
Now in my PhotoShelter Gallery.
Dambula Caves, Sri Lanka
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I have just uploaded the first photos from Sri Lanka onto my PhotoShelter Achieves and Gallery to view them all please click this LINK or the Photos.
Buddhist temple Kandy, Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka or formerly know as Ceylon. This was my very first visit to this amazing island and its truly wonderful and friendly people.
A merely 4 days coving as much as possible, a very short visit by any photography standards but my main objective on this trip was to follow the long standing Buddhism tradition which is still not yet completed.
Buddhist temple Kandy, Sri Lanka
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A farmer carrying his load, Sri Lanka
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I must say I am very impressed and defiantly return for sure in the not so distance future, I just fell in love with this beautiful place with its warm and friendly people. As a matter of fact we have a GD Photo Workshop planed for 2012 together with another remarkable destination in Central India to follow …another awesome place but more on that later, 14 days of amazing sights. More info at: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html
Please Note:
All Images have been processed in Aperture 3 using only the basic adjustments and RAW conversions, no Image manipulation Photoshop or other software has been used.
Snake charmer? Sri Lanka
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The view from above, Kandy, Sri Lanka
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The Banana Man on the road to Kandy, Sri Lanka
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See below more info and excepts from various sources on Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka is steeped in heritage. With a history that dates back over 2,000 years, Sri Lanka is home to some of the best preserved Asian monuments and showcases no fewer than 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites, all remarkably preserved to surpass more well-known world class attractions. To this day Sri Lanka’s centuries old heritage lives on, in the culture and the way of life of the Sri Lankan people. The rich tapestry of cultural practice, beliefs and the traditional way of life renews and revives this Island nation’s historic ties, creating an oasis of cultural richness in the modern day...more @
http://srilanka.travel/index.php?route=theame/main&theame=2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka
Travel Photography: Three Countries, surrounded by people & colors…Sri Lanka-India-Nepal
Three Countries, surrounded by people & colors…
Aurangabad - Central India
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My recent journey started in Sri Lanka from there to Central India (a lot more on those places later) and then to Delhi for the start of our recent GD Photo Workshop.
After a couple of days roaming the streets of the Spice Market in Old Delhi we took a Jet air flight to Varanasi just in time for the full moon over Ganges River and the Holi Festival.
After 5 days in Varanasi we left India for Nepal where we spend most of our remaining workshop days in Kathmandu and surrounding areas.
I have received most of the testimonials from the participants already and I like to thank everyone from my heart for their nice comments and support. I am still waiting for some selection of Photos, so I can upload them on my Blog under the Students work and of course the Behind the scene images. I should have this done within the next week or so.
The photos I have selected today are from Sri Lanka-India & Nepal, taken from before the photo workshop and during, lets call it “Surrounded by people & colors”
Nepal
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Varanasi Train station, India
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Images from my special trip to central India and some amazing photos from Sri Lanka deserve a special Blog post and I will post them in due time. I am still fine-tuning my images in Aperture 3, the only software I am using for all my editing. All Photos are not manipulated/enhanced and only the basic editing tools have been used in Aperture 3, like contrast, minor sharpening, some exposure adjustments and adjusted the color temperature sometimes, besides the RAW conversion.
Nepal
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Nepal
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I been busy these past few days in revamping my main website (Home page and some changes in the Nepal section) which is best viewed in Safari, don't know why there is always an issue with Firefox. (pls. make sure you do refresh your Browser to see the changes) see the screenshot below.
More changes to my main website is currently been worked on and this should be done also within the next two weeks. More images from Sri Lanka, central India and other new destinations should be in my Photo Shelter archives and Gallery also by latest mid May.
Rameshwar Village near Varanasi, India
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Rameshwar Village near Varanasi, India
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You might find it also interesting to know, that during the whole trip my Nikon Cameras performed without a glitch, and I used 85% of the time the new Nikon 24.0 to 120.0mm f:4 and the 50mm f:1.4 G lens for the entire trip, with the 50mm lens been my favorite.
Why today’s topic… Three Countries, surrounded by people & colors…very simple, I Love Colors!
Sri Lanka
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"Little Tibet" - Nepal
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Nepal
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For your info:
Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar GD Photo Workshops are almost full, we have only 2 more spots for each destination, more details and info @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html
Also our long awaited trip to Bhutan in 2012 is filling up fast, only four (4) more spots available, if you’re interested please contact me ASAP, bookings for Bhutan have to be made very early.
New Home page at main website
best viewed with Safari
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Travel Photography Asia: Sri Lanka - India - Nepal, a quest for the un-usual
In search for the un-usual from my last Journey
Through Color & Time...the endless Journey continuos. 
Sri Lanka
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I like to share with you some images from my last Journey and the never ending quest for the un-usual, a few photos from three Countries and its Buddhism, more in the coming weeks once I am done with my editing. Also stories from each and every place I visited during the past few weeks with detail description on culture & history, plus a lot more from our recent GD Photo Workshops to India and Nepal.
India
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India
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India
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Nepal
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All Photos above taken with the Nikon D700 & D300S using the 50mm f:1.4 G and the new 24.0 -120.0 f:4 Lens.
Maximum 400 ISO and no flash or other artificial light has been used, edited and processed in Aperture 3 using only the basic editing tools and RAW conversion; no manipulation, Photoshop or any other software was used either.
Just one more...
Nepal
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Almost forgotten & unpublished photos from Laos & GD Photo Workshops in Asia 2011
"Almost forgotten" & unpublished Kodachrome
Images from Laos.
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Amazing Laos...Scanned Kodachrome image,
converted to B&W using Aperture 3
GD Photo Workshop to LAOS - CAMBODIA 2011 - Only 3 more spots available
September 24 - 8 October, 2011
Bookings are closing for Laos and Cambodia combination by latest end of June 2011.
Max. of 10 Participants
We can confirm also for 2011 our combination for Laos & Cambodia starting on September 24th to the 7th of October 2011 the final Itinerary and schedules will follow shortly for the above confirmed Workshops on my GD Photo Workshop site.
Again, you can just choose one of the destinations, either Laos or Cambodia or go with the combination and can include also Myanmar/Burma see below the details.
In Laos we spend time in Vientiane and Luang Prabang including traveling up the Mekong River, we have also changed our standard Itinerary in Cambodia, besides visiting Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap and Phnom Kulen, we travel this time to Battambang which is also called the real Cambodia with it's Monasteries and superb French Colonial Buildings, not to mention hidden Temples, some of which are older then Angkor and seldom visited places en route.
For all inquiries and bookings please use this LINK, thank you.
Testimonials from previous participants in Cambodia and India please CLICK THIS LINK.
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Early morning in Vientiane Laos, the fog like effect (heat haze) is due to
the extreme heat in the month before the onset of the monsoon.
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The Hmong - Hill tribes gathering in Luang Prabang
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Buddhist Monk fixing the Roof at the Monastery in Luang Prabang,Laos
Laos has its own distinct culture. Through Theravada Buddhism it has influences from India and has also influences from China. These influences are reflected throughout Laos in its language as well as in art, literature and the performing arts.
Lao way of life is very much influenced by the Buddhism as can be seen through the way that Lao people live and behave. They are taught to be patient and acceptance people. Buddhism was the only thing that bound people together and taught people to be good people and stay away from doing wrong things in the past when the law enforcement was not in place.
Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang (Million Elephants), founded in the 14th century, by a Lao warlord, Fa Ngum, who took over Vientiane with 10,000 Khmer troops. Ngum had been a descendent from a long line of Lao kings, tracking back to Khoun Boulom. He made Theravada Buddhism the state religion and Lan-Xang prospered.
Within 20 years of its formation, the kingdom expanded eastward to Champa and along the Annamite mountains in Vietnam. His ministers, unable to tolerate his ruthlessness, forced him into exile to present day Thai province of Nan in 1373, where he later died. Fa Ngum's eldest son, Oun Heuan, (took the title Samsenthai) came to the throne and reigned for 43 years.
During his reign, Lan Xang became an important trade centre. After his death in 1421, Lan Xang collapsed into warring factions for the next 100 years...more info @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos
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Fantastic culture, tradition and architecture in Luang Prabang,Laos
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Pak Ou buddhist caves along the Mekong River, near Luang Prabang, Laos
Scanned Kodachrome Image converted to B&W using Aperture 3
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GD Photo Workshops in Asia and unpublished Kodachrome images from Myanmar
A selection of unpublished Kodachrome
Images from Myanmar/Burma
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An Indian Women on the way to Mandalay, there
are many traditional Indian Villages in Myanmar.
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Novice Monks watching a Soccer game in Yangon, Myanmar
If you're interested in one of our Photo Workshops please check out the GD Photo Workshop site & click this LINK.
MYANMAR / BURMA 2011 - Only 5 more spots available
October 10 - 17, 2011
Bookings close for Myanmar/Burma by latest 15th of July 2011.
Max. of 8 Participants only.
Myanmar... the true Indochina, October 10 to 17, 2011. We preparing at the moment a unique itinerary which will not only take you to the more known places but also to areas very rarely visited by others. This will be a very exciting journey. For inquiries please click this LINK.
Please Note: For those who are interested you can also join Laos - Cambodia and travel with us from our starting destination in Laos. * For Laos & Cambodia we have only 3 more vacancies.
For more info please go to GD Photo Workshops.
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The Maha Muni or "Great Sage" Myanmar
According to ancient tradition, only five likenesses of the Buddha were said to have been made during his lifetime: Two were in India, two in paradise, and the fifth is the Maha Muni or "Great Sage". Archaeologists believe the image was probably cast during the reign of King Chandra Surya, who ascended the throne in AD 146, some 600 years after the Buddha actually passed away. Little is known of the Maha Muni's travels over the next fifteen hundred years. It was stolen and moved around by various kings. At other times it was buried beneath a crumbling temple in a forgotten jungle. The image was brought to Mandalay in 1784 by King Bodawpaya and placed within the specially built Payagi Pagoda. Since that time it has been the most venerated Buddha image in all of Burma... More info at: http://sacredsites.com/asia/burma_myanmar/mandalay.html
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Happy Burmese, Yangon Myanmar
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Enjoying the Soccer Game Yangon,Myanmar
Wikipedia Source:
Myanmar a country in Southeast Asia. The country is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, and the Bay of Bengal to the south-west, with the Andaman Sea defining its southern periphery. One-third of Burma's total perimeter of 1,930 kilometres (1,200 mi) forms an uninterrupted coastline. Burma is the second largest country by geographical area in Southeast Asia..
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Typical Market in north Myanmar
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Northern Myanmar
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GD Photo Workshops Asia: Soon the Colors of India and Nepal... the Journey continuos.
The Colors of India and Nepal...
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"This is Holi" - India
The Journey Through Color & Time continuous very soon with our first Photography Workshops to India and Nepal, starting on the 17th of March, 14 days of adventure and pure color.
The two workshops are fully booked, but if you interested you can already make a reservation for our Sri Lanka and India Workshop in 2012 or choose some of the other workshops in our Calendar for 2011 and 2012.
SRI LANKA - INDIA 2012
February 26 - March 9, 2012
A unique itinerary has been work on which takes you to unusual places in India and Sri Lanka in 2012. More details and the full itinerary will be available by mid April 2011.
Please Note: We only travel in small groups between 8 to 10 participants max. on all published destinations, providing you the full attention of Gunther Deichmann, making these workshops very personal and a fulfilling experience for you.
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Getting ready for the Holi Festival - India
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Color, color and more color - Nepal
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Monastery Colors - Nepal
Exciting NEW updates on GD Photo Workshops in Asia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar
Latest up-date for GD PhotoWorkshops in Asia...
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Yangon, Myanmar/Burma - BTW shot with Kodachrome 25 ASA
We have just updated the Calendar for the GD Photo Workshops, new info on Vietnam for May 2011and
for September/October 2011 Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, now you can join us on all three destinations with a stopover in Bangkok for two days. Itineraries and cost available upon request please register at this LINK.
For more details please go to the Calendar at the GD PhotoWorkshop site or Click this LINK
Please Note: Bookings for Laos and Cambodia are almost full we have only 2 more spots available more detailed info on the Calendar.
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Mekong Delta, Vietnam - BTW shot with Kodachrome 25 ASA
Please note, we only travel in small groups between 8 to 10 participants on all published destinations, providing you the full attention of Gunther Deichmann, making these workshops very personal and a fulfilling experience for you. Once you have Registered without any obligation we get in touch with you direct via email and provide you all the details.
GD
Photography: In search for colors...wishing you a colorful & very Happy New Year
In search for Colors...
A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun
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"Colorful Rain" through the Car window, Manila
2010 is slowly coming to an end; I have selected some images taken on my travels with my small Point and Shoot Leica D-Lux 4 using only available light, on planes, during functions, taken the kids to the Mall, in taxis, cars and airport stop overs.
As mention many times before...never leave home without it...the camera that is, you never know what you might encounter and having this small "baby" with me, I get never bored or "lonely". When it comes to color, well... it is my passion, I am obsessed and even dream about it.
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Stop over Changi Airport, Singapore, using my iPhone as a model.
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"The Taillight", Manila Philippines
During my earlier days, I never thought much about B&W...color has and always will be my true passion, we're living in an amazing colorful world from nature to modern architecture, it is all around us...I remember only to vivid the beautiful creations by nature in autumn or the stark but ever so colorful outback of Australia, the amazing colors in India or the colors of Santorini.
Now I am looking forward to my next Journey's in 2011...exploring and searching for colors I might not have seen.
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Nano T-Shirt in Bangkok
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Inflight delight on Singapore Airlines.
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With the kids in the Mall, Manila, Philippines
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Inflight entertainment on Singapore Airlines
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Colors in the Mall, Manila, Philippines
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Color & Glass... during a party, Manila, Philippines
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Just after my arrival, self portrait in Cupertino
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Abstract reflection of a silver Garbage Bin at a Mall, Manila, Philippines
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Arj using my Camera during the Aperture 3 event in Bangkok, Thailand.
Just one more...please be kind to
Mother Nature in 2011 & beyond!
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"Nature is weeping" - Manila, Philippines
Wishing YOU all a very colorful and Happy New Year!
GD
Travel Photography: Cambodia & 60 minutes of great light on the way to Phnom Penh
60 minutes of great light on the way to Phnom Penh
The story behind the Images...
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Dirk, Tony, Arj and myself had an early start on our last day in Battambang, Cambodia, visiting first Ek Phnom an 11th century Angkorian-era ruin built as a Hindu temple under Suryavarman I and then to Phnom Sampeou temple plus the killing Cave before hitting the road for Phnom Penh. (More on Aek Phnom and Sampeou in one of my next posts)
The Idea was to get to Krakor for a full moon rise over the Tonle Sap Lake, as it turned out we did miss that one, we saw the full moon but by the time we got to Krakor it was to late.
Never mind I thought, we catch the Moonrise in Phnom Penh over the Mekong River instead the next day and we certainly did…but that is yet another story.
We left Battambang around 3:00 PM instead of 1:00PM two hours behind schedule trying to reach Krakor on time.
Around 4PM dark clouds on the Horizon appeared and some amazing storm clouds formed, oh… this looks good in the afternoon light, but we needed subjects.
I was certainly not contend with just the odd Rice Paddy…anxious looking around for the right spot. Then I shouted out off the blue…STOP the car now.
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To our right a fence line against the dark stormy sky gave us the first Photo opportunity then almost in sync a rainbow appeared as well, wow…
Hmmm…lets hang around here for a while we might not find a better spot…so we waited… patience paid of again as the light increased in intensity by the minute. By that time we’re running so late that we had to forget our Moon Rise in Krakor for sure.
This huge cloud formation above started to roll over us like a horizontal tube…a fantastic sight with the golden light in the afternoon.
I looked over my shoulder and spotted some farmers on the other side of the road, on their way home after a hard days work in the field.
I knew from experience that light like this doesn’t last very long and I sprinted from the fence line across the road to intercept these women…and just in time. Now I had what I was hoping for…foreground, color, people, landscape, great cloud formations and some amazing afternoon light, forgetting completely my Moonrise…but then again, we got it the next day in Phnom Penh, but yet again another story behind the images.
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Everything fell right into place, but it lasted only a few minutes before the big tube looking cloud broke up and the light slowly lost its color except for the Rainbow, which hang around a little bit longer.
It was a great day right from the start, but these were the best 60 minutes without a doubt on the way to Phnom Penh.
More images @ PhotoShelter
GD
Travel Photography: True Colors of Santorini, Greece, the travel story behind the images.
“I never stop thinking about color even during my dinner on Santorini Island.
I loved the cherry tomatoes. Not only do they taste great, but oh boy,
they where really red.” - GD -
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Santorini, Greece - “The liquid road.”
It is winter in Europe now and I thought to give everybody a little break from Asia and share with you some photos from one of my favorite places... called Santorini in Greece all images on this post are taken a few years ago during the winter month of February.
"The story behind the images."
Santorini in Greece, one of the most thought after holiday destinations for the rich and famous, also a destination for Honeymooners and a popular spot for the Gay community during the summer month, but Santorini has a lot more to offer; from incredible Landscapes, amazing colors, great wines and the super red cherry tomatoes.
During a trip to Germany in February I decided to take a little detour and swing by this island on my way home to Manila.
It was in the middle of winter and the weather in the Mediterranean can get cold and extremely windy, my short flight from Athens to the island was even delayed for a few hours due to weather conditions.
Wow I thought, I wonder how this one is going to turn out…I had decided to go to Santorini for it's amazing colors… you know how much I love colors, but going there in the middle of winter...well almost everyone said I was ga, ga.
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Santorini, Greece - "Right behind me."
But then I always go to places in the off season anyway, when only a few tourists hanging around and in the case of Santorini there were almost none.
Santorini is famous for its blue skies and beautiful sunny weather during the summer month, but what I wanted was not just boring blue skies but dramatic clouds on the horizon and I was really hoping for my kind of weather.
Once I arrived on the island I started to walk…kilometers everyday, it was windy and chilly but the sun came out during the day and in the afternoon I was blessed with some amazing clouds and fantastic light.
OK, I have to admit it was cold, very windy and finding an open Restaurant not far from my small empty Hotel in the evenings became a real challenge.
Of course I had to eat sometimes, but after running around all day I was not in the mood to cover the whole Island again and finding a restaurant.
After a few hours on my first day I did managed and found a very cozy place, close by my Hotel, where I had my Greek Salads every night with a special order of those locally grown real red cheery tomatoes and some Santorini wine, which BTW is excellent.
It was on my 3rd day when I spotted an interesting cloud formation; the fading sun already gave me this beautiful light. Oh…I need to get to the right spot now…over to the cliffs, but that was far away…way to far to walk.
After waiting on the roadside for a few anxious minutes I managed to flag down a cab, wow that was lucky… not many cabs around that time of the year, told the driver to take me to this cliff I checked out the previous day and off we went.
Uhhh… just made it, no time to spare to put up a Tripod, I run over to the cliff…greeted by yet another one of natures amazing light spectacles. I named this image later “The liquid road.” see above.
The asphalt road carved out of the cliffs below leading down to the Santorini Harbor was shining like oil…an awesome sight.
The whole spectacle lasted no longer then a few minutes before the road turned back to its normal color and the magic light on the cliffs slowly disappeared.
So, here I was shooting like crazy, taking a breather now and then, I turned around…holy cow… now I know why everything looks so fantastic, a cloud formation subduing the sun was creating these amazing colors on the cliff face and made the road look like liquid.
I managed to squeeze in a few extra shots from what happen right behind me, without moving an inch just turning around on my heels.
So there you have it, above are two cool images from one position, yet another lucky day for me.
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Santorini, Greece - during the winter months.
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Santorini, Greece - another great afternoon
Observing the weather and checking your locations upon arrival makes all the difference, I even took a taxi the first day just driving around the island checking locations where I would like to be in the late afternoon.
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Santorini, Greece - walking the narrow streets
I came to Santorini for its color…I certainly didn’t get disappointed; I was alone, well “almost” exploring this ancient rim of a Volcano for almost two weeks.
“True colors will never change.” - GD -
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Santorini, Greece - stairway to heaven...
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Colors - Santorini, Greece,
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The archway - Santorini, Greece
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Color & simplicity - Santorini, Greece
Please note: No Photoshop or manipulation on any of the images, these are indeed the true colors of Santorini.
More images from Santorini @ my PhotoShelter Gallery
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More information and excerpts from Wikipedia below:
Santorini is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera.
The island is the remnant of a volcanic cone whose top was blown off. The inner coast around the caldera is a sheer precipice of more than 300 m drop at its highest, and exhibits the various layers of solidified lava on top of each other, and the main towns perched on the crest.
The ground then slopes outwards and downwards towards the outer perimeter, and the outer beaches are smooth and shallow. Beach sand color depends on which geologic layer is exposed; there are beaches with sand or pebbles made of solidified lava of various colors: the Red Beach, the Black Beach, the White Beach, etc. The water at the darker colored beaches is significantly warmer because the lava acts as a heat absorber.
More @ Wikipedia
Travel Photography: Mysterious places... Nan Madol in Pohnpei called the Venice of the Pacific.
Another ancient “Venice”... but where is Nan Madol?
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Spectacular sunset en route from Chuuk near Guam to Pohnpei by boat.
Miles from nowhere...
Nan Madol is often called the “Venice of the Pacific” like Ayutthaya in Thailand which I described recently on my Blog. Another ancient “Venice”, but where is Nan Madol?
Nan Madol is extremely difficult to reach even after the long Journey to Pohnpei in the Pacific, (see map) constructed in the water and can only be reached during favorable tides by small boats or Kayaks.
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
In the canals of Nan Madol, Pohnpei
Wow, how I love these ancient civilizations like Angkor Wat, Nan Madol and many others, going back in time and snooping around long forgotten worlds, thinking what it must been like during ancient times.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
"The Venice of the Pacific" the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, Pohnpei
Exploring these ancient ruins is quiet an experience and one starts to wonder how people managed to move such large rocks and build an entire city without the tools we have today.
Nan Madol is shrouded in deep mystery and many Archeologists still debating its origin and its people who build it. More excavation is needed and maybe one day we find out more about the “Venice of the Pacific” called Nan Madol.
But for the time being it will belong to one of those mysterious places I treasure so much.
Some more info & LINKS from Wikipedia below:
GD
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Locals girls enjoying the fresh water underneath
a waterfall on the Island of Pohnpei.
Nan Madol is a ruined city that lies off the eastern shore of the island of Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia, and was the capital of the Saudeleur dynasty until about AD 1500. Pohnpei is one of the wettest places on earth with annual recorded rainfall exceeding 300 inches (7,600 mm) each year in certain mountainous locations.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Lush tropical vegetation on Pohnpei
It is also worth noting that Pohnpei and the ruins of Nan Madol also play a central role in author James Rollins' book, Deep Fathom.
Nan Madol was the ceremonial and political seat of the Saudeleur dynasty, which united Pohnpei's estimated 25,000 people. Set apart on the main island of Pohnpei, it was a scene of human activity as early as the first or second century AD.
A local story holds that when Nan Madol was being built a powerful magician living in the well inhabited region on the northwest of the island was solicited, and that his help was a major factor in completing the buildings. In particular, he was responsible for supplying the huge stone "logs" used in much of Nan Madol by "flying" them from their source to the construction site.
The city Nan Madol consists of a series of small artificial islands linked by a network of canals and is often called the "Venice of the Pacific” The name Nan Madol means "spaces between" and is a reference to the canals that crisscross the ruins. According to Gene Ashby in his book Pohnpei, An Island Argosy, the original name was Soun Nan-leng (Reef of Heaven)
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Children on Pohnpei having fun on the road side with some price tags.
Archaeology
Today Nan Madol forms an archaeological district covering more than 18 km² and includes the stone architecture built up on a coral reef flat along the shore of Temwen Island, several other artificial islets, and the adjacent Pohnpei main island coastline. The site core with its stone walls encloses an area approximately 1.5 km long by 0.5 km wide and it contains nearly 100 artificial islets—stone and coral fill platforms—bordered by tidal canals.
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
"The Venice of the Pacific" the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, Pohnpei
Carbon dating indicates that the construction of Nan Madol began around AD 1200, while excavations show that the area may have been occupied as early as 200 BC. Some probable quarry sites around the island have been identified, but the exact origin of the stones of Nan Madol is yet undetermined. None of the proposed quarry sites exist in Madolenihmw, meaning that the stones must have been transported to their current location. It has been suggested that they might have been floated via raft from the quarry, but no one has successfully demonstrated the process. Archaeologists have yet to unravel the mystery, and some modern
More @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nan_Madol
More interesting information about Nan Madol @ http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/nmad/hd_nmad.htm
Just one more...
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Happy face and colorful price tags, Pohnpei.
Nature Travel Photography: Tonle Sap freshwater swamp forests, Kampong Phluk, Cambodia
Tonle Sap freshwater swamp forests,
Kampong Phluk - Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
A red "carpet" of flowers floating on the water, this was the very first
time I have seen this at Kampong Phluk, at the northeast end of
the Tonle Sap, Cambodia
When traveling on the Tonle Sap in Cambodia there is always a surprise or two waiting, nature at its best and my last visit in September during my GD Photo Workshop was no exception. Once we entered the forest a red "carpet" of flowers floating on the water amongst the trees greeted us.
Wow...I shouted...I have never seen this before and the group started to click away feverishly, I must admit this was one cool site to be hold...the contrast alone was just awesome and you know how much I love RED.
I done some research since then but don't have an explanation from where all these flowers came from, except for, that the wet season had been very late this year and didn't wash the seeds and flowers from the trees away.
Below are some excerpts from Wikipedia and other sources information on this amazing fresh water lake in Cambodia, and as the saying goes... nature always has a surprise or two and that is what I like so much and keep returning to this incredible place year after year.
GD
In general, the dominant woody species of the short tree scrubland form a nearly continuous canopy of deciduous species reaching no more than 4 m in height. The height reached by individual species appears to be related to soil moisture conditions, with the tallest individuals occurring closer to the permanent lake basin and smaller individuals present at the periphery of the floodplain area.
More scientific info @
http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/im/im0164_full.html
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
A Khmer family gathering firewood in the swamp Forrest Kampong Phluk,
at the northeast end of the Tonle Sap, Cambodia
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Early morning at Kampong Phluk, at the northeast end of
the Tonle Sap, Cambodia
Excepts from Wikipedia below:
Tonle Sap Lake "Tonlé" meaning "Large Fresh Water River," but more commonly translated as "Great Lake" is a combined lake and river system of major importance to Cambodia.
The Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and is an ecological hot spot that was designated as a UNESCO biosphere in 1997.
The Tonlé Sap is unusual for two reasons: its flow changes direction twice a year, and the portion that forms the lake expands and shrinks dramatically with the seasons.
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Children of the Tonle Sap, near Battambang- Cambodia
From November to May, Cambodia's dry season, the Tonlé Sap drains into the Mekong River at Phnom Penh. However, when the year's heavy rains begin in June, the Tonlé Sap backs up to form an enormous lake.
For most of the year the lake is fairly small, around one meter deep and with an area of 2,700 square km. During the monsoon season, however, the Tonlé Sap River, which connects the lake with the Mekong River, reverses its flow.
Water is pushed up from the Mekong into the lake, increasing its area to 16,000 square km and its depth to up to nine meters, flooding nearby fields and forests. The floodplain provides a perfect breeding ground for fish. Read more @ Wikipedia
Travel Photography: Photos from the car window, as long you’re not behind the wheel.
Images from the car window...
© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India 2009
I am one of those people who can’t sleep at all when traveling in cars, trains or what ever other transportation, always looking around for this shot along the road…even at night on long Journeys.
I let my eyes wonder around and keep the conversation going with my driver; “even he can’t speak a word of English.”
However DON'T try and take Photos if you’re the one behind the wheel... no photo is worth crashing into a tree or causing an accident, but as a passenger go for it!
Traveling long distances can be quiet strenuous especially when you have the window open and traveling in hot Countries like India or in the Philippines.
© Gunther Deichmann - through the front windshield
near Nepal & Indian Border India 2010
Why not traveling with the air-condition on? Very simple, your window is up and when an opportunity arises you have to be quick, no time to wind down a sticky window. Of course this doesn't work with the front windscreen, so you have to make sure it is nice and clean before you start your Journey, also the autofocus can be a bit of a problem shooting through the front...better switch to manual.
Besides air-condition can fog up your lens and before you managed to wipe it clean your shot is gone in the wind.
OK. having said all of this…I am not sure how this works in colder climates but it certainly works in the tropics. I don’t think traveling in the winter through Russia with the heater turned off and the window open is a good idea.
© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India 2009
You be surprised what images you can get from the car window; people are not aware you taken photos and sometime you come across the totally unexpected, things you never see or able to get when outside the car.
It opens up a complete new perspective... I just love it!
The images on today’s post represent only a few from the car window, including through the front windshield.
So next time you’re a passenger in a car, bus or what ever transportation you’re using, have some fun and take some photos through the car or what ever window you're sitting next to it.
But please remember DON'T try this when you’re behind the wheel, otherwise you might have your picture taken by the police or lying in the hospital bed.
© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India 2009
© Gunther Deichmann - Mumbai India 2007
Gunther Deichmann - Mumbai India 2007
Gunther Deichmann - Mumbai India 2007
Gunther Deichmann - near Nepal & Indian Border India 2010
Gunther Deichmann - Mumbai India 2007
Gunther Deichmann - this time the window was closed, Delhi India 2010
© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India 2009
Just two more...
© Gunther Deichmann - the other day, Manila Philippines 2010
© Gunther Deichmann - Manila Philippines, October, 2010
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Travel Photography Asia: A short visit to Ayutthaya also called Venice of the East
“Time has no limits… even short Journeys
can produce great images.”
Places called Venice of the East…
& one of these places is Ayutthaya in Thailand.
© Gunther Deichmann - Buddhas Head & one late
afternoon in Ayutthaya, Thailand
Some 90 kilometers from Bangkok is Ayutthaya the capital of the kingdom of Thailand for many centuries between 1350 and 1767. Its full name is Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
I had not been to Ayutthaya for a very long time, but recently spend a short afternoon at this ancient capital during my visit to Thailand.
© Gunther Deichmann - just they way I found it...
Ayutthaya, Thailand 
© Gunther Deichmann - one late afternoon in Ayutthaya, Thailand
I was in Bangkok for an Apple Aperture 3 events and on my way to Cambodia for the recent GD Photo Workshop.
We arrived in Ayutthaya in the late afternoon and had less then two hours of light left, but just enough to get some nice images. A short visit, away from the hassle and bustle of Bangkok, nice to be back again after such a long time.
A short visit indeed but also very rewarding…and as mention above...even short Journey can produce some great images.
GD
© Gunther Deichmann - the magic light in the late
afternoon, Ayutthaya, Thailand
See below excerpts from wikipedia:
Thai culture and commerce flourished, and lots of foreign merchants resided in the capital, including Dutch, Portuguese, French, English, Japanese etc. Foreign visitors were most impressed by its splendor.
The Burmese invaded Ayutthaya and the capital fell in 1767. Most of the city's temples and religious sculptures were destroyed. However, proud monuments to its glory are still standing, some restored.
The city was founded in 1350 by King U Thong, who went there to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lop Buri and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya kingdom or Siam.
© Gunther Deichmann - almost like Autumn,
Ayutthaya, Thailand
It is estimated that Ayutthaya by the year 1600 CE had a population of about 300,000, with the population perhaps reaching 1,000,000 around 1700 CE, making it one of the world's largest cities at that time.
In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, resulting in the collapse of the kingdom. The ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya historical park, which is recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was re-founded a few kilometers to the east. The city is also sometimes called "Venice of the East”
© Gunther Deichmann - an afternoon in Ayutthaya, Thailand
More @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_%28city%29 &
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_places_called_Venice_of_the_East
Travel Photography: New Cambodian Photos in support of Celebrating the Images of Asia Event Singapore
In support of Asian Geographic's Event October 23 & 24 in
Singapore "Celebrating the images of Asia" - One Asia- 
© Gunther Deichmann - Ta Prohm, Cambodia Sept.2010
Greetings from Singapore, I like to thank the Organizers and sponsor for inviting me and to be part of this truly great event in Singapore. Some schedules have been moved around a bit and I be giving now also a talk on travel Photography on Saturday and the topic on Sunday will be... "Are We There Yet? - post production tips," focus on Apple software.
© Gunther Deichmann - early morning on the
Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia Sept.2010
Just as ‘processing’ is essential to film photography, so post-production is the final stage of digital creations. Advice on the essential but often difficult trick of ‘knowing when to stop’
Detailed guide to using apple software to get more from your photographs, including workflow after the shoot with tips on backing
up your files in the field using Apple software.
Check out also the Live Judging Event on the 23rd of October, for details see the info below.
The images on today's post are from my last Journey in Cambodia, September 2010, a complete selection will soon be available on my PhotoShelter archives. More recent images from Cambodia @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/page2/page2.html
© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Penh, Cambodia Sept.2010
© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Kulen, Cambodia Sept.2010
© Gunther Deichmann - Bamboo Train station,
near Battambang, Cambodia Sept.2010
© Gunther Deichmann - on the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia Sept.2010
© Gunther Deichmann - on the road to Phnom Penh,
Cambodia Sept.2010
© Gunther Deichmann - Buddhist Monk during a funeral
ceremony, rural Cambodia, Sept. 2010
© Gunther Deichmann - Moonrise over the Mekong and
Tonle River, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Sept. 2010
I be reporting back from Singapore as the days go by so please stay tuned, there is also another TV event which I am part off it, more on that later.
GD
Celebrating the Images of Asia - One Asia -
Singapore October 2010
Travel Photography Asia: GD PHOTO WORKSHOP CALENDAR 2011, India-Nepal & Laos-Cambodia
PHOTO WORKSHOP CALENDAR 2011
Limited to maximum 8 participants for our
International Workshops.
Click on the Image and go direct to the Calendar for 2011
March 17, 2011 - Confirmed!
India - Nepal
March 17/18th (depending on the arrival of the participants) to the 24th/25th (celebrating Holi on the 20th in Varanasi) then we have our option to leave from Delhi to Kathmandu in Nepal our extension and second Workshop from the 25th to the 31st / 01 of April, again depending on the departure of participants.
You can also choose just one of the destinations either India or Nepal, or join us on both in India & Nepal and book the combination. After the completion of our Indian Workshop we fly from Delhi to Kathmandu in Nepal.
I complete Itinerary is shortly avail. and I send this one to those who are interested, pls. remember this workshop is almost full, only two more spaces available for India and only 3 more for Nepal.
Final bookings will close at the latest by November 08, 2010 http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page4/contact.php
September, 2011 - Confirmed!
Laos & Cambodia combination
We can confirm also for 2011 a combination for Laos & Cambodia starting on September 24th to the 6th/7th of October 2011 the final Itinerary and schedules will follow shortly for the above confirmed Workshops on my GD Photo Workshop site. Bookings close for Laos and Cambodia combination by latest end of June 2011.
You can also contact me @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page4/contact.php
Again, you can also just choose one of the destinations either Laos or Cambodia, or join us either in Laos or Cambodia, or go with the combination.
GD
Other Photo Workshops for 2011 are being finalized, we should have and confirm the dates by end of October 2011
Travel Photography Cambodia 2010: Selection of Photos uploaded in my Blog Gallery
Back to Cambodia...the land with it's charming
People, amazing Culture and History.
© Gunther Deichmann - the famous Battambang
Bamboo Train at full speed & I almost broke
my neck getting this shot.
Go to the Gallery "Small Taste of the Latest" Cambodia 2010
or click on any of the photos.
Please NOTE you might have to refresh your Browser if you don't see
the images from Cambodia right away.
From Siem Reap and surrounding areas across the Tonle Sap Lake by Boat to Battambang and after a few days to Phnom Penh by road, only to return to Siem Reap by car a few days later. After our GD Photo Workshop in Siem Reap the Cambodian Journey continued in September 2010. I have uploaded a small selection from this recent trip, more Photos from Cambodia and other Countries you find on my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries including the latest images from India and Nepal in 2010.
© Gunther Deichmann - it is all Khmer...
The latest and complete set from the recent Cambodia Journey will be available at PhotoShelter shortly. In the meantime you can enjoy this small selection. More interesting articles from my recent Journey to Cambodia to follow soon...
© Gunther Deichmann - Monastery near Angkor Wat
A great local and enjoyable Photo Workshop in Manila last weekend is behind me now and I am getting ready for my Singapore trip next week.
A lot will happen in Singapore, from a TV appearance as a Judge on a TV show, then there is the Fraser Suites Judging "Capture Life by the Singapore River" photographic contest and of course the "Celebrating the Images of Asia" Show at Suntec from the 23rd to the 24th of October, for sure a very busy week.
I try my best to update you all from Singapore either via FB or Twitter, I might even get the chance to send a Blog out, but lets see.
Please Note: Our GD Photo Workshop in March/April 2011 to India and Nepal is just about full, we have only two more vacancies our bookings will close by latest November 10.
We are also getting a lot of inquiries for our Workshop in Laos and Cambodia by late September 2011 and have only 4 more spaces available.
“Images of Asia – 23-24 October 2010 – Suntec, Singapore”
Reporting soon from Singapore, and if you happen to be in Singapore you can find me or join one of my Workshops at Suntec "Celebrating the Images of Asia" from the 23rd to the 24th of October.
Hope to see you there,
GD
Travel Photography: GD Photo Workshop Cambodia 2010, the Students work
The Students Work...GD Photo Workshop
Cambodia Sept. 2010
Click on the image above or on this LINK and go to the Students Work Gallery.
Please NOTE you might have to refresh your Browser if you see Photos
from previous students on India in 2010.
Another great Photo Workshop in Cambodia is behind us and I have uploaded all the students work into the Gallery called "The Students Work".
Some amazing Images have been taken and on purpose I ask the participants to choose six of their favorable ones, I didn't do any editing or enhancing.
Editing is part of Photography and sometimes the hardest part in deciding which images to choose out of thousands taken on a trip, there might be others and I have seen some during the workshop which are equally good or even better then the ones represented here.
What I am trying to say is... everybody did a real great Job creating nice images and coped with the hardship I had sometimes lined up for them.
On another note I might mention that my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach our Video Man on this trip, he took some amazing stills with his little waterproof Olympus Point and Shoot Camera, well it gets to show you it's not always in the equipment you use, however I let you be the Judge once you open the Gallery.
BTW (Dirk is from the Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, and we are planing one of the next GD Photo Workshops at Club Paradise soon)
I am also working on a Video from this Photo Workshop for the first time using of course Aperture 3 and mixing in the footage from Dirk's Sony Video Cam, however due to time constraints at the moment this will not be finished for a while, but I keep you posted.
Thanks again to all the participants, Boat Drivers, my friend and Guide Savuth and of course the Heritage Suites Hotel for their excellent service and hospitality.
Click here for Testimonials from the last and previous Photo Workshops -
For Photos behind the scene CLICK this LINK.
Enough words now...instead enjoy the Images from this very cool group.
GD
Announcement: GD Photo Workshops for 2011, India-Nepal & Laos-Cambodia the confirmed dates.
Two GD PhotoWorkshops have now confirme