Travel & Humanitarian Photos
I’ve enjoyed wall-to-wall photo workshops in Bangkok over the weekend and the trend continues next week. I’ve photographed with enthusiastic clients at the colourful Pak Khlong Talaat (Flower Market), in the early-morning light in Chinatown, the small and aromatic fishing town of Mahachai, the enchantingly bizarre Mae Khlong market – where the train chugs through the centre of the market – and around the urban delights of downtown Bangkok.
It’s always a treat spending time with keen photographers and this weekend has been no exception. Our focus is often on creating structure, on establishing a defined approach. Once the technical details have been dealt with, we move on to the part of workshops that I get the most enjoyment from, explaining and exploring the storytelling approach to photographing. It’s always rewarding to see a photographer’s confidence grow and the evidence can be seen in photographs that seem to improve considerably through the day.
Of course, the little Fuji instant camera has been in use, building bridges and bringing smiles 
It’s monsoon season in Bangkok now, which presents its own set of challenges and opportunities. I enjoy photographing in the rain but I’m conscious that clients’ gear probably needs to be protected a little more than my own. So last night, as the rain drizzled heavily across the city, young Katherine Wardle and I set off in search of something a little different.
Katherine had shown me a selection of her images after our morning workshop session and seeing that she has an eye for the abstract and for the architectural, I introduced her to the impressive young lady below. I’m betting that even if you’ve visited Bangkok several times, this imposing figure will not be familiar to you and yet she lives in the very heart of Bangkok and although she’s not widely known, many visitors will have passed within a few hundred metres of her home. Guesses?
So, it’s a busy week but I’m planning a working break in Bali later in the week. I have a writing project to work on and it will be a good opportunity to pursue some Balinese photo projects. If you’re in Bali and would like to be my first ever workshop client in Indonesia, be sure to let me know.
HI, I love the first photo. It never ceases to amaze me that people live/stand so close to the rail track. The train looks stationary but obviously isn’t
I’m tipping the last shot from inside the art gallery? (I think I remember the curved architecture).
I love the market in Samut Songkram and the train. It’s one of my favorite places in Thailand. I’m guessing the last photo is from the art center across the street from MBK?
As always, lovely shots. I’m confident the lady with the green eyes is the one at the main entrance of the BACC (Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre) opposite MBK mall.
However do you, Gavin, or anyone else know its significance? There are two of them and one has 1914 and the other 1938 (or 1939) stamped somewhere on them. Is it related to the two world wars in any way? There is something ’1984′ish about them in any case.
I also particularly like the ‘No Corruption Bangkok Transport System’ map at one of other the entrances. If only…
I’ll have to check out Mahachai and Mae Khlong market as I’ve yet to go.
Enjoy the break in Bali!