Sangklaburi "Unseen Thailand" Fantastic Scenery

Hello Friends,

During winter holiday season, the most favourite destinations for travellers nowadays is Pai district in Mae Hong Son which you may face traffic jam along the way from Chaing Mai to Pai. Then, if you want to avoid such problem, i recommend to you one of the city that has similar atmosphere to Pai District and the place i talk about is Sangklaburi in Kanchanaburi province.

Generally, this district is not very popular for travellers because it is far away from Kanchanaburi town center (Muang District) around 230 kilometers as you habe to drive around 5-6 hours from Bangkok and 3 hours form Kanchanaburi town center.

How to go to Sangklaburi

-From Kanchanaburi town center (Muang Distict) take highway number 323 (the route of Kanchanaburi – Thong Phaphum) as the distance is around 145 kilometers.

-After arrived at Thong Phaphum district, you must turn right and drive around 85 kilometers, then, you will reach Sangklaburi.

Please note that the distance from Thong Phaphum to Sangklaburi is hilly mountain route, then, this route required high skill driver only.

 In Sangklaburi, you will see dramatic scenery mainly generated by Khao Laem Dam and Song Kalia River. Today i will show you some beautiful images of Sangklaburi and i will tell you about the detail of interesting spot in this district on my next post. Let see the images and i guarantee that you will love this small city.

Dramatic Scenery of this small city

Sangklaburi wooden bridge

Wang Wiwekaram Temple

Wang wiwegaram old temple in the lagoon

Thomas Cristofoletti: Day of the Dead

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Here's a movie made of still photographs by Thomas Cristofoletti on the singular tradition in the Philippines which occurs on the Day of the Dead. The stills were made in Tandag, Surigao del Sur and document the tradition of caring for the tombs on November 1.

Tombs are cleaned up, repainted and spruced up by relatives. Candles are lit and flowers placed. Many families spend a night or two near their loved ones' tombs in remembrance. Card games, eating, drinking, singing and dancing are common activities at the cemeteries during the holiday.

In the Philippines, the day of the dead is known as Araw ng mga Patay; one of the traditions imported from Spain during the country' colonization. Of course, El Dia De los Muertos is a well known tradition in Mexico, as well as in other countries where the Catholic faith is practiced. The observance coincides with All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Thomas Cristofoletti is a freelance photographer and art director currently based in Madrid, who is a proponent of the decisive moment and of candid photography.

WSJ Photo Journal: The Haj

Photo © Hassan Ammar/Associated Press

The Wall Street Photo Journal is one of the first of the large picture blogs to publish a photograph to commemorate the Haj (or Hajj, as it spells it). The caption reads "Tens of thousands of Muslim pilgrims prayed inside the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Islamic pilgrimage draws three million visitors each year, making it the largest yearly gathering of people in the world."


I think the qualifier that it's the largest yearly gathering of people is appropriate since the religious gatherings of the Kumbh in India surpass it....however the Kumbhs are not yearly pilgrimages.

The Guardian newspaper's website has also featured a fresh slideshow of the Haj rituals. Some lovely images there.

My Book: Bali Island of Gods Update 2

I've received the full version of my book Bali: Island of Gods from Blurb, and I'm happy with it. The variations in tone have been evened out, and the photographs are much better looking than in the sample I got last week. Phew!

I will have two versions of the book (82 pages of black & white photographs) on Blurb's bookstore. A large (13x11 inches) landscape hardcover version that'll be more expensive aimed at those who like me a lot, and a standard (10x8 inches) landscape hardcover version aimed at those who like me a little less. Those who are indifferent don't have to buy either...but wishing me luck with it would be nice.

Both versions will be available in a few days....and will be announced here.

Marc Riboud: Magnificent Traveler

Afghanistan 1955 Photo © Marc Riboud- All Rights Reserved

Annick Cojean, journalist at Monde, says it well about Marc Riboud:

"This man is free. This man is passionate. He's a magnificent traveler which the world continues to amaze. He loves life and intensely photographs it", which underscores what Riboud says of himself: "Rather than a profession, photography has always been a passion for me, a passion closer to obsession."

Born in Lyon, Riboud takes his first photographs in 1937 at the Paris Exposition Universelle with a Vest-Pocket (I never heard of this camera?)**. Having fought in 1944, he studies engineering during the late 40s and works in a factory, but decides to take up photography full time in 1948. He's later on invited to Magnum by Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa.

In 1955, he travels by road to the Middle East, Afghanistan and finally India where he stays for a year, then on to China. He travels to the Soviet Union, covers the war of independence in Algeria and between 1968-1969 worked in North and South Vietnam.

Marc Riboud published a large number of books, and was awarded many prizes and recognitions from the Overseas Press Club, a Time-Life Achievement award, a Lucie Award and the ICP Infinity Award.

They certainly don't make them like Marc Riboud anymore.

** Gerald Beetham graciously emailed saying that the Kodak Vest-Camera was an older bellows roll film camera smaller than most contemporary cameras (hence the Vest Pocket name). Beginning around 1915, they were manufactured under many different models reaching popularity in the 30's and 40's.

POV: Face Covered, Women Only...Must Be Islamic!

Photo © Gali Tibbon/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

 But it's not. The caption as per the WSJ Photo Journal is this:

"A member of the religious group Women of the Wall wore the traditional Jewish prayer shawl of men called the tallit during a prayer service at the women’s section of the Western Wall in Jerusalem Monday."

So the traditional Jewish prayer procedures at the Western Wall call for the separation of women from the men, and for women to cover their heads and faces?

Huh? You mean like in traditional Islam?

Gosh.

Enrico Martino: Tango Soul

Here's a wonderful multimedia essay by the talented Enrico Martino on the ageless, eternal and graceful dance of Argentina, the tango. Originating in Spain or Morocco, the tango was introduced to the New World by the Spanish settlers, freed African slaves and gauchos in Buenos Aires around the 1880s.

Tango is not a dance, but a particular way of seeing and enjoying life...it's a way of life, where seduction by both sexes is disguised by dance moves and steps. But no one is fooled...in my view, tango is another word for seduction.

This multimedia will be one of  the pieces that I shall use as examples for my future students at the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop...in Buenos Aires. I especially liked the man's voice-over...soulful, melancholic...and also virile and passionate. Perhaps the Ken Burns effect is used a little too much for my linking, but the sequencing of the black & white photographs is wonderful all the same.

At one point, the narrator tells us that no foreigner can write tango. Yes, I absolutely agree.

Enrico Martino is an editorial, geographic and documentary photojournalist specialized in travel and cultural assignments requiring in-depth research. He's a contributor to Italian and international magazines, to include Meridiani, "D"-Repubblica, Epoca, Espresso, Panorama, Focus, Gente Viaggi, In Viaggio, Airone, Panorama Travel, Sette, Traveller, Tuttoturismo, Elle, Marie Claire, Merian, Spiegel, Die Zeit, Jeune Afrique, Altair, Rutas del Mundo.

Dilla Djalil-Daniel: Kolkata's Durga Puja

Photo ©Dilla Djalil-Daniel- All Rights Reserved

Photo ©Dilla Djalil-Daniel- All Rights Reserved

Photo ©Dilla Djalil-Daniel- All Rights Reserved

Photo ©Dilla Djalil-Daniel- All Rights Reserved

Photo ©Dilla Djalil-Daniel- All Rights Reserved

Dilla Djalil-Daniel is a photographer currently living in Jakarta, and just returned from Kolkata where she photographed the city's exuberant festival of Durga Puja.

Although she travels around the world for her photography, especially in Asia and has a large portfolio that ought to be shown on her own personal website, Dilla has yet to have one. It's a shame really...but to make up for it, here's a selection of her Durga Puja work.

Durga Puja is the biggest festival in Bengal, and it's also known as Dussehra and Navaratri in other parts of India. Durga is the goddess of divine power against all evils. The festival traditionally starts when thousands offer prayers to their ancestors at the city's ghats, and drummers with ceremonial drums descend on the city. During the festival, thousands of pandals (structures to carry the religious icons and idols) are on display all over Kolkata, and are visited by throngs of people. On the final day of the festival, these pandals with the idols are carried in processions, and immersed in the Ganges.

In Support of Joao Silva

The New York Times contract photographer Joao Silva, one of the major conflict photojournalists of our time, stepped on a mine while on assignment in Afghanistan a couple of weeks ago, and as a consequence his legs have had to be amputated below the knees. He is now recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC.

His friends have set up a new website to raise funds for him by selling some of his prints. So please consider helping him by buying a print, by making a donation,  or by forwarding/tweeting this post.

Discover Nan Province Part 1 "Khun Nan National Park

Hello Everybody,

Winter is coming and the targeted destination for most travellers are cities in the northern area of Thailand in order to experience cold weather during winter period. Of course, favorite destination for all travellers will be Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai and Mae Hong Son especially Pai District. If you want to avoid any busy and more traveller in those province during winter season, i have another province in the northern area of Thailand to present to you and the place is "Nan" province situated near Laos border.

Today. i'm going give you an introduction to Nan's one of interesting travel place that you can't miss when visiting this province which is call "Khun Nan National Park".

This place situated in Bo Klaue district which is approximately 110 kilometers from Nan town center (Muang District). Generally, it is famous in the dramatic secenery of the Wa River (approximately 25 Kilometers across) together with many waterfall including Sapan, Huay Ha and Huay Tee waterfall. The summit point of this national park is "Doi  Phi Pan Nam" which is 1,745 meters above the sea.

Sapan Waterfall is the most outstanding and biggest waterfall in this national park. It is easy for travellers to discover this beautiful this waterfall because you need to drive only for 10 kilometers from Ba Klaue town center and walking aroud 800 meters then you will see this fantastic waterfall and 1 kilometer from Sapan waterfall, then, you will arrive at Ban Den waterfall

Huay Tee Waterfall has been divided in 6 tiers covering by abundant  forest and the most beautiful tier recommended by most traveller is in the third 3 tier.

Those 3 waterfalls are only the example of interesting spots in Khun Nan national park. If you have more time, you can reach to the viewpoint of this national park and you will see amazing scenery of this national park.

It can be say that the dramatic scenery of Khun Nan National Park mainly created by the Wa River generating many beautiful waterfall including Sapan Waterfall and Hauy Tee Waterfall. This national park is recommend especially for travellers who really want to avoid riot during winter and new year holiday season.

How to go to Khun Nan National Park

-From Nan Town Center, driving from highway number 1169 and follow the sigh post to Bo Klaue district as the distance from town center to Bo Klaue is around 108 kilometers.

-Then, from Bo Klaue, driving to highway number 1081 (the route of Bo Klaue to Chaloem Phrakiat) and you will reach the National Park Headquarter.

POV: Photo-Workshops Are Useful, But....

Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved

Scott Bourne, who publishes and writes Photofocus since 1998, has posted an article on photo workshops titled Don't Listen To The Trolls in which he encourages people to attend workshops led by photographers who have work they find inspiring...an encouragement that is both reasonable and logical.

However, let's take this a step or two further because, simply put, there are photographers who market their workshops (and there are many these days) whose work may be phenomenally beautiful and inspiring, but who are unable to lead, who can't/won't teach and are unable/unwilling to share. It's simply not enough that the photographer's work is good...not at all. There are many more factors that come to play in one's decision in choosing a photo workshop.

Obviously, the price of the workshop is one of the first determinants. Celebrity photographers command a hefty premium, and while some are worth it, others are not. In the case of travel photography workshop, I've come across workshops of 10 days starting at $8000, excluding international travel costs and meals. Knowing full well that the real costs of these workshops are in the range of $2000-2500 tells me that the profit margins for such photographers may be in the $5000-6000 range...per participant.

Many believe (or hope) that taking part in such high-priced workshops is worth the price because of the technical knowledge acquired; because of the bragging rights from rubbing shoulders with the famous photographers, and because the quality of their "during and after workshop" image inventory will justify the expenditure.

Maybe. Maybe not.

On the other hand, let's be cautious and do our homework (what bankers and business people call due diligence) by eliminating as many uncertainties as possible before shelling out thousands of dollars. Ask for references and opinions from previous attendees, compare workshops' details to one another, compare itineraries if these are travel photography workshops, ask who really leads the workshop: the photographer or assistants (trust me...the higher up the totem pole the photographer is the more assistants there will be...and the less you'll see of the photographer), figure out how much individual face time the participants will have with the photographer, who responds to your email and/or calls, who created the itinerary if it's a travel photography workshop, is it in a well-trodden tourist circuit or it an off-the-beaten path itinerary, how many participants in the workshop...and lastly what percentage of clients are repeaters.  And let's throw this in as well: if the workshop is marketed by a company because the hot-shot photographer is too busy to do it, that company will get a big bite off the price tag....and naturally you end up paying for it.

Personally, if I wanted to go on a workshop I'd rather go with a grunt...not a celebrity/famous photographer. I'd want to be taught rather than patronized...I wouldn't like being palmed off to an assistant nor do I want to be intimidated. I'd rather be given a candid assessment of my abilities and limitations in plain simple English rather than in a mealy-mouthed babble ....and finally, I want to enjoy myself.

But that's me.

(Photograph made at the Wangdicholing Monastery, Jakar, Bhutan)

Book: 'To Cambodia With Love' Is Now Available

Finally! To Cambodia With Love,  the book with my photographs of Siem Reap and its environs has been published. It's available from a long list of booksellers all over the world.

It's described on Amazon as "From a tarantula brunch in the remote Cambodian countryside to a leisurely cyclo ride through the streets of Phnom Penh, To Cambodia With Love is a true collaboration, containing personal essays by more than fifty writers. Among them you will find Angkor Wat expert Dawn Rooney, acclaimed memoirist Loung Ung (First They Killed My Father), and Lonely Planet’s in-the-know Nick Ray. Each essay is paired with a practical fact file so that travelers can follow in the writer’s footsteps. In addition, the book is illustrated with vibrant, full-color photographs."

I am hugely chuffed that a book with my vibrant, full-color photographs is on major booksellers' websites, even if my name is misspelled. It's correctly spelled on the book's cover, which is all I care about. What's a Twefic from Tewfic? Just a W that doesn't know where it ought to be.

I hope readers of The Travel Photographer blog interested in Cambodia will buy this book. If I get free copies, I will come up with a contest of some sort and give away copies to winners.

Next Week On The Travel Photographer

For the week starting Monday November 8,  the following posts are in the pipeline (not in this order though):

1. A photographer's mini-portfolio of black & white images of the Durga Puja in Kolkata.
2. A wonderful multimedia essay of Tango in Buenos Aires.
3. A The Travel Photographer Point Of View on photo workshops. which may raise hackles (aka piss off people) as my POVs are designed to do...we'll see.
5. A multimedia project on the Day of The Dead...Filipino-style.
6.  Magnum's new Fund for emerging photographers.

PS. Don't you just hate this winter time fall-back?? Daylight Savings Time just sucks.