Born by chance: handbag photography

The joy of having a small camera with you at all times is that it will grant you countless opportunities to capture images in places where you didn't expect to photograph at all. Not that there are places or situations suitable for photography and others that are not (after all, photography is a complex, subjective art that depends on the eye of the photographer and not in the surroundings themselves), rather there are situations in which you carry a camera along and situations in which you don't. And this is the key point here: having an unobtrusive camera with you wherever you go is like carrying a pack of tissues: you don't remember they hide somewhere in your handbag (for they are small and light), but should the occasion arise, you instantly know they are there, within immediate reach.

Early riser, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

Light trap, GM1 + Olympus M. Zuiko 45mm

Inversion, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

I discovered this blessing when I purchased the GM1 a few months ago (which, in fact, it's no bigger than the aforementioned pack of tissues, though it's a bit weightier); before that, carrying a camera was always a conscious exercise, not only because it's bigger and obviously you cannot ignore its presence hanging from your neck or in your bag, but also because I only carried it along when I willingly wanted to go out to shoot. Some people would argue that you can use your smartphone as an "always with you" camera, and that might be true, but in my experience, a phone is a multitasking device that happens to take pictures, while a dedicated camera, as small as it might be, has a completely different feel to it and offers much more flexibility for the demanding photographer.

Flower frame, GM1 + Olympus M. Zuiko 45mm

Resting grill, GM1 + Olympus M. Zuiko 45mm

This post is proof of my previous assert: during the last weeks, I have been to several places for different reasons, ranging from work, to leisure, to family matters. In all of them, photography was not among my initial purposes, as there were other concerns that mattered most, but I happened to carry the GM1 with me every time. And this is the sole reason why all the images in this post exist. In between meetings, on the way to the office, while waiting for someone in the street, going back home, walking to the bus stop or the pier..., all these captures were born because my camera was at hand while I was doing something else. The scenes unfolded in front of me, and I only had to unzip the bag, switch on, and shoot.

The smash, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

Street art & street sport, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

Nevertheless, do the circumstances really matter? Is there any difference between taking a picture while, let's say, on a photo walk with a group of other photographers, and while hurrying home from the supermarket on your own? When considering only the images, there is no difference at all, they are all equally valuable, they both tell a story, they both speak the same language and can have the same impact (besides, the audience, more often than not, has no clue about the process behind each capture, and knowing wouldn't change our perception of the capture that much, most of the times; it could deepen our understanding, empathy or appreciation, but an image that is not able to catch our attention by itself, rarely will do after an explanation of its backstory). In my view, words should enhance, complement, dress up the image, but the photograph is, and always should be, the center and star of the show, so to speak.

The dog in the sun, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

Flows, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

The walk, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

In the end, it's not a question of differences, but of something much more essential; as a well known playwright once said, "to be or not to be" is exactly the issue at play here; had I not have had the camera with me on those occasions, none of the stills displayed in this post would exist. Simple as that. Though we could add another added benefit of a small camera: its tiny size is extremely misleading (and useful for that same reason) and most people will take it for an under-performer, thus granting you permission to enter with it to a location that explicitly restricts the use of dslr's, such as a concert. Thank you misinformation!

Furtiveness, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

Tracks and water: faces of 2 markets

The plan today was to visit a couple of popular markets in the outskirts of Bangkok, both reknown for different reasons but close to each other. I had never been to any of both so the level of anticipation was high. We took an early van from Victory Monument and, in roughly an hour and a half, we arrived at our first destination: Maeklong Train Market.

The tracks, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

Ready for work, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

We had heard and even seen glimpses of this market in internet before (sights of a slow-advancing train passing through a narrow road packed with fruits and goods on the ground on both sides of the rails, at minimum distance from the old, moving carriages full of curious people) but didn't really know what to expect from it. Therefore we decided to reach early so we could have time to walk and explore the market in its natural state before the train arrived.

Preparations, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

Deals, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

While there is no train passing (which happens a few times per day), nothing distinguishes this market from any other around the country (and there are plenty): narrow alleyways packed with small stalls selling a wide variety of products, from food to spices to clothes to handicrafts; thick umbrellas protecting the goods and customers from the sun, thus giving the whole area a dark, gloomy atmosphere where ocassional rays of sun break through the gaps creating puddles of bright light; numerous people coming and going, bargaining and offering, working or dozing, cleanning or snapping pictures (there are quite a few tourists here, though they are not that many and dont really disrupt the normal life of the market at all).

A moment of tranquility, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

The wait, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

Family business, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

But when the loud siren sounds, warning about the impending visit, it all suddenly changes; in a matter of seconds, every single umbrella gets moved away, all the trays that were lying on the floor are removed, and the narrow alley becomes all of a sudden a bright, clear road pierced by a straight railtrack from beginning to end. And mere seconds later, a big, rusty locomotive appears at the far edge, advancing slowly towards the station, that awaits on the back of the market. It all feels like a syncronised dance, where all the participants know the measures and timing perfectly and perform their individual tasks accordingly with total precision, the bottom of the carriages barely avoiding the underlying goods, as the vendors simply await patiently a couple of minutes of break.

Generations, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

2 minutes to read, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

But once the train has passed, the closed market returns to life again, reopening its petals as a flower that searches for the sun; movement returns, and so the glances, words, hands and feet resume their usual business, bringing back the color and the buzz.

A maze with many exits, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

Sunbathing, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

When we were ready to leave Maeklong to continue our trip, a sudden cloud opened its skirt shamelessly, and a heavy downpour battered the city. We found refuge in a Chinese temple that happened to be nearby, and patiently waited for the sky to end its diatribe, which, fortunately, didn't last that long.

Invisible rain, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

After the rain, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

The second market in our plan is just a few kilometers away and can be easily recahed by a minibus (locally known as songteo); for a ridiculous fee you will be in Amphawa Floating Market in a matter of minutes. There are many floating markets in Thailand, and they are always part of tourist's must-see visits at one point or another in their trips around the country, but this is the first one I visit so I cannot compare it to other ones. I will just share here my comments on this one.

Ochres and greys, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

Parking area, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

Amphawa Floating Market is probably not the most authentic or original of thailand's floating markets, because its popularity and proximity to Bangkok has led to it being overly populated by tourists (both local and international) and that has turned it into a touristic spot, full of souvenir shops and coffee places, beautiful resorts and guided tours; however, and despite the abundance of tourism, the market remains an interesting place full of charm and, most importantly, nice views and food.

Wood romance, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

The art of smiling, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

Of meat and squid, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

Amphawa spreads along a canal, and you can either walk along the banks by foot, checking all the small shops that stack up on both sides, or you can rent a boat and sail down the stream, enjoying the views from the water and seeing how the vendors and residents go on with their routines.

Repair service, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

One square meter, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm

However, after all we have walked and smelled, seen and tasted, the most precious thing these two markets have offered me has been the loveliness of their people. For me, what undoubtedly represents the true beauty of this country is a couple of bright, wide eyes; a humble yet welcoming smile; a deep, proud wrinkle. Nothing gets much more beautiful than that, and I found lots of them today.

Deserved rest, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm 

Elegant beauty, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm