Travel & Humanitarian Photos
One of the highlights of our recent Bhutan Photo Expedition was a day trip to the Ura Valley. The Lonely Planet describes Ura Village as “Forty closely packed houses along cobblestone streets…giving it a medieval atmosphere”.
We had left the main Lakhang and were walking through the village, where we met five schoolgirls on their way home from school. The girls, polite and charming, lined up to have their photograph taken but I thought a short movie might be quite entertaining so filmed them as they pushed each other out of the line-up and then chased around in circles. They thought that was pretty amusing – as did we.
However, when I showed them the resulting video clip they descended into riotous peals of laughter, which, luckily, I recorded on my Zoom H4n audio recorder whilst a friend snapped a few frames of the girls and I sharing the laughter. This short video captures the original movie and the subsequent giggling.
I don’t think it’s possible to hear this delightful sound without grinning from ear to ear. What a delight. Here’s to the Giggling Schoolgirls of the Ura Valley.
In the process of uploading this video to YouTube I saw my own gurning face grinning out from a “Related Video” thumbnail in the YouTube sidebar. Seems that those cheeky girls at Digital Photographer magazine have previously uploaded a video from a workshop I did for them with DP reader (and now firm friend) Ian Furniss. I have embedded it here for your continuing amusement.
You will, no doubt, especially enjoy the moment where I climb a stile and then immediately open the gate beside it. Never knowingly taking the easy route, that’s me! I should also point out that for anyone who’s invested in the rather splendid Lee Filter system but neglected to purchase a filter holder, that the company have employed me to act as a portable filter holder for you, as demonstrated in the video. Simply fill-out the online request form to book me as your mobile filter holder for the day. I aint cheap, but I’m cheerful.
Wonderful video of the schoolgirls. I couldn’t stop smiling when listening to them laughing. It reminds me a similar experience in a small cambodian village near Angkor with 4 young children who where delighted to see their photos on my camera.
Thanks for sharing those moments !
Erick
One of the best 1 minute and 8 seconds I have spent in a long time. Thanks for sharing.
Loool continuing amusement is right!! I didn’t know that existed either! 2 great videos and great memories of that day even though i was half asleep and they didn’t show that huuuuge(!) mountain on the left we walked up… I still have nightmares!
Hey Gavin! It’s great how you’re adding videos to your blog now! Really enjoying them! Cheers!
Those giggles make a great start to my Sunday. Thanks for sharing.
Ha Ha Ha!!! It’s like a Three Stooges routine – only genuinely funny. Thanks for adding giggles to my day.
Great fun. That’s something you just can’t replicate in stills alone. I have been carrying around a small recording device for a few years now for just this sort of thing.
Gavin -are you filming the video on the 5DMK!II?
Sure put a big smile on my face
Thanks for sharing Gavin!