Doing time in Rong Muang

I went downtown to run some errands, but those were, most surprisingly, quickly dismissed. I had an appointment some three hours later, and since I had the camera with me, the choice was simple and obvious: a return trip from where I was but not further than an hour and a half away, so I could be back in time for my date, before sunset. 

Turn left at the blue door, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Still wheels, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

The hut amidst the leaves, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

That was the first mistake of that afternoon, and a good advice for all people starting in photography: never put strict time limits to your photowalks, as that is surely going to be a call for disaster (either you end up rushing and spoiling the photo session by not seeing properly around you, or you forget about everything else and, as a consequence, whoever is having an appointment with you later on has to wait for a while...).

Safe from the sun, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

The nap, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

The leak, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Sunset sweeping, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

I started walking along the always familiar and interesting Khlong Saen Saeb, but familiarity might soon lead to boredom; therefore, and after a few turns and twists, I decided to venture into unknown territory following the railtracks that I suddenly stumbled upon; the narrow alleyways that escort the canal gave way to a wide lane where all, trains and people, cohabited in harmony and balance.

Across, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

A seat with views I, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

A seat with views II, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Pensive mood, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm 

But it was very hot, and the weight of the sun started to become more and more oppressive, so, after a refreshing stroll inside the grounds of a quiet, shadowy temple, I thought it was best to return where it had all started, and wait for my appointment in a cool, air-conditioned space. All in all, it was not a long walk, but nevertheless I enjoyed those couple of hours so full of light and color.

Enclosed temple, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Warm colors, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

A face well travelled, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Lumixfriend Workshop

Last November I was lucky to be chosen, along a group of other enthusiastic and amateur photographers, to attend one of the workshops that Lumix was going to offer in Bangkok. It would be an intensive one day workshop, morning to evening, held at a hotel that I already knew from my previous workshop with APF and, not surprisingly, it was going to be conducted completely in Thai, a language that I'm far from understanding. However, thanks to the consideration of the coaches, plus the support of the fellow photographers, I was able to follow without much trouble, which speaks volumes, not of my language skills, but of the power of photography as a universal language. After a morning more geared towards theoretical explanations on the fundamentals of photography, afternoon came, and with it the time to practice, which was the main point of the whole agenda. First exercise: indoor, studio lightning photography with models, an absolute first for me.

By the window I, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

By the window II, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Book and sofa, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

It was really an eye opener, working with professional models and with lightning equipment for the first time taught me many things about the importance of placement, location, and perspective. After we were done with this first module, it was time to change and go outdoors to practice under natural light conditions, again accompanied by external lights, which, again, proved a very interesting exercise, since artificial lighting is the area of photography I had never touched before, prior to that day. 

Nerve, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Self-confidence, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

All in all, it was a great experience, and I wanna take this opportunity to thank once more all the organizers and colleagues from the workshop for being so understanding and collaborative with me, despite the language barrier. I really learned a lot and, more specially, enjoyed spending the day with all of them sharing our common passion: photography. A couple of last frames from the day: one that I grabbed in the hotel, unrelated but next room to our workshop and that caught my attention, and another one of the passionate group of people who made the day so enjoyable. Thanks, Lumix! Thanks, everybody!

Minding their own businesses, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Action!, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm