Bangkok Photo Walk - The Winner!
August 27, 2008 by admin
It’s customary for judges to say things like “it was a really tough decision” and “all the entries were of a very high standard” before announcing the winner of a competition but in the case of the Bangkok Photo Walk pictures I promise you both things are absolutely true.
However, this image by Songvut Kositarut stood out. If photography is about the language of light then this image speaks fluently. The late-afternoon light is gorgeous and it’s made all the more appealing by shining upon a door with such warm, brown tones. Miss Dao is, of course, a very attractive subject and I really like the way she’s looking out of the frame, obviously distracted by something. The inclusion of a camera makes it the perfect depiction of our Photo Walk for me. Songvut has chosen to place her towards the edge of the frame, which I think is a composition that works perfectly in this situation.
So congratulations to Songvut who says of his winning photo “If I walk past this kind of light without taking a photo I am committing a huge sin”. Enjoy Songvut’s other photos on his web site.
I have also put together a slideshow of some of my favourite images.
Whilst there are no prizes for second and third place, I feel that I’d like to draw your attention to these two images, which I also think are really excellent.
Had there been a prize for a panel of photographs then Xmee would undoubtedly have won. His images are so fresh and dynamic and his terrific web site is one that I’ll be regularly checking in the future.
Taken by “monitor_oat”. check out his Flickr page.
So, that probably wraps it up for the Bangkok Photo Walk for this year. I’ll post news of the overall winners as Scott Kelby announces them. Thanks to those who took part and especially to those who posted their photos. We have almost 400 on our Flickr group, not bad for two hours’ work.
Cheers!
Whilst you’re waiting for the winner
August 27, 2008 by admin
I know, I know. You’re waiting to find out which was the winning image from the Bangkok Photo Walk. Well, my friends, the decision has been made and the result will appear exclusively on this blog within the next twelve hours. The wait is nearly over.
For now, all I can reveal is that I’m confident you will love the winning image as much as I do.
Whilst you’re waiting, let me tease you further with these two bits of very good news concerning my friends Matt Brandon and David duChemin, both of whom led photo walks last week too.
Matt’s book featuring his photographs of Kashmir is now available on Amazon. Matt lived in Kashmir for a long time and he’s a photographer who produces travel images that charm and delight.
“How charming and how delightful are his pictures?”, I hear you ask. Well, I keep just 12 small thumbnails images in my diary of my all-time favourite travel photographs to look at whenever I need instant inspiration and one of them is Matt’s. His stuff is that good.
So, go check out “Kashmir: The Mystery”. Better still, treat yourself to a copy. You’re worth it. No, really, you are.
Meanwhile, David is picking up the Guest Blog spot over at scottkelby.com today. David has never knowingly said anything that didn’t make perfect sense and whilst the world and his wife will offer their opinion on how to take great photos, David will help you understand why.
Come back soon when my favourite Photo Walk images will be revealed.
Bangkok Photo Walk - The verdict
August 23, 2008 by admin
The Bangkok Photo Walk took place this afternoon with over fifty photographers meeting up for a sunny walk around Ratanakosin, the royal centre of Bangkok, ending up at the Arun Residence hotel bar for a drink and a chat.
We were blessed with perfect weather and it was a real treat to spend a few hours in such friendly company.
For me, the walk was a great success and judging from the amount of positive comments I received I think everyone enjoyed their afternoon.
Photos from the walk will appear in the Bangkok Photo Walk Flickr group and I will post the picture I judge to be the best here later in the week.
My friends David duChemin and Matt Brandon led the Vancouver and Penang Photo Walks respectively whilst my friend Zoe led the Portsmouth Photo Walk in England.
Over 8000 photographers participated in Photo Walks in over 250 cities around the world today and on both a local and international level it was further evidence of the great sense of community enjoyed by photographers.
To those who attended the Bangkok Photo Walk, thanks. And to those who took me at my word and bought me a beer at the end of the walk, Cheers!
Hic!
Photoshelter - Shoot! The Day. Photo Editors
August 21, 2008 by admin
If you can stand the agony of hearing the Deputy Photo Editor of “Travel + Leisure” magazine describing wonderful photos that she’d like to run full page without being able to see the pictures then this video contains some gems about stock photography in general and travel stock in particular.
The panel of picture editors is chaired by Rob Haggart who writes aphotoeditor.com which, if you’re looking to sell photographs to magazines, should definitely be on your daily reading list.
Bangkok Photo Walk - August 23rd
August 20, 2008 by admin
It looks like we could have easily filled two Bangkok Photo Walks so congratulations to those of you who registered in time to be one of the fifty official Photo Walkers. To those of you who are turning up on the day, welcome. The more, the merrier.
If you are planning to join the Bangkok Photo Walk on August 23rd but haven’t had an e-mail from me with notes about what to bring and what to expect then use the contact page to let me know your name and e-mail address and I’ll make sure you get all the relevant information.
To all Photowalkers, I look forward to meeting you on Saturday!
Bangkok Photo Walk Page
Flickr Group Page
Canon G9 discontinued - introducing the GX
August 18, 2008 by admin
After the success of my prediction earlier in the year about the imminent arrival of a successor to Canon’s 5D you’ll be forgiven if I find you taking this announcement with more than a pinch of salt.
However, I have it on good authority that Canon’s G9 point-and-shoot is to be discontinued and a successor will be announced in the autumn.
Probably.
The “GX” name is a figment of my imagination although I think it looks good and hope Canon go with it for the new model.
I understand that you might not have too much faith in my predictions about Canon’s new models after the 5D fiasco but take a look at the B&H web site before you curse me.
Oh, and about that 5D replacement, that’s definitely coming in the autumn along with a replacement for the 24mm TS-E lens amongst other things.
Remember, you heard it here first.
Golf courses on Annapurna?
August 17, 2008 by admin
Today’s Guardian reports news to bring golf courses, heli-skiing and paragliding to Nepal’s Annapurna region.
It is news that will send a shudder of disbelief through anyone who has ever been to the region.
Perhaps it is inevitable that the area, currently reachable only on foot or by air, will soon have road links that will bring thrill-seekers looking for “man-made theme parks” and “adrenaline sports like bungee-jumping and rafting” but I am not surprised that “conservationists and trekkers have reacted angrily”.
Developers agree that wildlife and plants will be destroyed, the number of trekkers will be reduced and porters and guides will lose their livelihood. The time will come, no doubt, when the gentle and hospitable people of the Annapurna and Manang regions will no longer invite trekkers inside their houses for a cup of hot, sweet Chai but will instead charge them a toll to pass through a turnstile.
I understand that you can’t stop people from wanting more and it’s all very well arriving in Nepal and declaring how quaint everything and everybody is from the comfort of a western way of life but one would hope that common-sense will prevail and that the Nepalese will appreciate what a rare, unspoiled and beautiful part of the world they are the caretakers of.
The speed at which areas like this are being lost is depressing. If you have ever considered visiting Nepal and perhaps trekking in the Annapurna region then maybe you should go now before the Pringle sweaters arrive.
Bangkok Sunset - Time Lapse Video
August 16, 2008 by admin
We enjoyed an impressive sunset over Bangkok this evening. I captured a short video with the time-lapse function on the Canon G9.
Philip Toledano - Days with my father
August 15, 2008 by admin
Philip Toledano’s series of photographs of his 98 year-old father are exquisite.
If you’ve ever considered taking photos of your family, not just holiday snaps or pictures on somebody’s birthday but everyday portraits that really capture the essence of a personality, then this might inspire you to get started.
Philip tells his father’s story with great tenderness and shows us wonderfully intimate images that really convey his feelings about his father.
Rather than read my waffle, click the link and go and explore the web site. Switch off the phone and the TV for a few minutes and take the time to really let yourself engage.
Benjakiti Park, Bangkok
August 14, 2008 by admin
I’ve been working on some High Dynamic Range images for a project this week and thought I’d share this view of the Khlong Toey buildings as seen from Benjakiti Park.
This is an image constructed from seven RAW files and I’ll drop in the technical details below for those of you who like to know these things.
Expect to see more pictures from Benjakiti Park in the future as my apartment is a short walk away (in fact it’s tucked in to the right of those four massive buildings still under construction) and the park is looking like a good location for cityscapes.
Canon EOS 1Ds MKII, 24-70mm L lens at 24mm, f/8, 1/3 sec to 20 sec’s in 1 stop increments, ISO 200
