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
Photo Tours and Workshops ASIA: Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia and Philippines in 2013, plus some cool photos…
Discover the undiscovered...
Myanmar/Burma & Cambodia 2013
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Inle Lake - Myanmar/Burma
It is my pleasure and share with you that I have officially reached 10.2 million Hits and some 180,000 Visitors on my Website and Blog in 2012. (over a 12 month period)
Thanks to all my readers, friends, followers and supporters who made this possible.
This is certainly a new milestone and I try my very best to keep you posted with interesting articles and photos in 2013.
Next week I have a quick trip to Boracay Island and on Feb. 8 and 9 in cooperation with Power Mac Center a two-day photo workshop in Subic Bay (Subic Park Hotel in Zambales) on basic photography and digital photo management with an introduction to Aperture 3.
Interested parties may register at atc@powermaccenter.com or training_request@powermaccenter.com.
Read more also at: http://www.philstar.com/gadgets/2013/01/13/896137/power-mac-center-sponsors-workshop-gunther-deichmann-subic
Then by mid February I am leaving for some 3 weeks to Myanmar/Burma also know as the Golden Land and described by Rudyard Kipling in his novel Road to Mandalay. After Myanmar I am off to Cambodia for a few more weeks, a Country I have been visiting since 1992 with its ancient temples from the vast Khmer empire. The images on todays post are from both of these Countries.
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Yangon - Myanmar/Burma
Our first Photo Tour and Workshop in 2013 is to Myanmar, this one is fully booked and so is our very special exploratory (very limited number of Participants) trip to Cambodia.
I like to call this one… rural exploration and the mighty Tonle Sap Lake… there is a lot more to explore and discover in CAMBODIA, besides amazing Temples and Monks, hence my reason for choosing different images for this post, more on this subject after my return…
After our special Photo Tour in Cambodia I am going to hang around for another 2 weeks for a very private Photo Tour and additional photography for confirmed articles.
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A shy look in rural Cambodia
Now, if you have missed out on these trips, don’t worry we have additional Photo Tours and Workshops to Myanmar/Burma and Cambodia later in the Year; for all our destinations and more details check our Photo Tours and Workshop Calendar ASIA 2013.
Once I am on the road I have little time and at some destinations no Internet connections so posting anything will have to wait until I have returned. But I try my best and stay in touch via Face Book and Twitter whenever possible and thanks again for all your support. GD
Enjoy the images below:
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At the Train station in Yangon - Myanmar/Burma
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Inle Lake - Myanmar/Burma
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Worshipping at Ananda Temple Bagan - Myanmar/Burma
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Monastery Yangon - Myanmar/Burma
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Worshipping at Shwedagon Pagoda,Yangon - Myanmar/Burma
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Working hard at the docks in Yangon - Myanmar/Burma
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Train station in Yangon - Myanmar/Burma
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Reflections on the Tonle Sap Lake - Cambodia
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Tranquility in the rural area of Cambodia
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Fisherman on the Mekong River, Phnom Penh - Cambodia
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Phnom Penh - Cambodia
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Reflections on the Tonle Sap Lake - Cambodia
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Hundreds on their Bikes…workers traveling early morning to
the next town to work, Cambodia
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Phnom Penh at night… Cambodia
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In front of the Grand Palace Phnom Penh - Cambodia
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In the streets of Phnom Penh - Cambodia
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Rural Cambodia…
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In the corridors of S 21 Prison as I have know it in 1992 in Phnom Penh, (now called Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum) and a stark reminder of the atrocities by the Pol Pot regime, one get the eerie feeling of been watched by Ghosts.
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.
_________________________
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.
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
Specialist Photography Workshops ASIA, 4 departures in 2012 going, with plans to launch another series for 2013
Specialist Photography Workshops by
International Photographer Gunther Deichmann
Exotissimo tri-annual publication
download the complete pdf file at:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/publications.html
Exotissimo is Happy to announce a new relationship and subsequent series of Photography Workshop Tours with leading international Photographer Gunther Deichmann. This latest addition of niche Tours allows a maximum of 10 Guests per Tour to embark on a Photography Workshop in Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia.
There are four set departures in 2012 going, with plans to launch another series for 2013 that will also include the mesmerizing country of Indonesia. Gunther is also available to book for private tours.
Please Note:
For the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Tours you can chose either one of these or combined them.
MYANMAR: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/myanmar/tours/myanamar-through-the-lens/
START OF TOUR June 29th, 2012
VIETNAM: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/vietnam/tours/vietnam-through-the-lens/
START OF TOUR Sep 13th, 2012
CAMBODIA: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/cambodia/tours/cambodia-through-the-lens/
START OF TOUR Sep 23rd, 2012
LAOS: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/laos/tours/laos-through-the-lens/
START OF TOUR Sept. 8th, 2012
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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