erawan shrine, bangkok, thailand

the first picture was taken in april this year using ilford fp-4 printed on kentmere rc paper. The rest are digital monochromes taken in my little point and shoot canon ixus 400 taken in 2004. The erawan shrine is a very busy shrine. Located at the corner of the Grand Hyatt Erawan, the shrine itself predates the hotel to the time that the old Erawan Hotel was still standing at the corner of Rama I and Rajdamri. Many people from around Thailand and even around Asia visit the shrine to ask for their wishes to be granted. Some come back in thanksgiving once their wishes has been granted. In thanksgiving some offer garlands of marigolds or release doves Those who have their important wishes come true usually hire the dancers as they give their thanksgiving. There was even an urban legend where one lady promised to run around the shrine naked if her wish was granted. And her wish was granted! There is so much activity in this little shrine that it still remains interesting no matter how often I visit the place.

daddywasabi
08.06.05

tonle sap, cambodia, april 2004

streets of hong kong

hong kong trams

It is sale season so my partner and I took time to fly to hong kong during one of the long holiday weekends of Thailand (thankfully there are so many of them!) I really would like to take some pictures but then shopping is a sport that needs absolute concentration and so is the business of taking pictures. So for two days I left my camera in the hotel ( the darn 10 d is so difficult to carry around if you are not taking pictures) On our last day, I just concentrated on taking pictures. I was out on the street at 7 am and decided to board one of Hong Kong Island's old trams from Causeway Bay on the way to Kennedy town. Sitting on the upper level gave me a good vantage point. For all it's modernity, Hong Kong had maintained this old transport system which still efficiently ferries people in Hong Kong island. all are digital pics converted into monochrome.
daddywasabi
08.01.05

yawning cat on the rock

I do not know how to describe this cat. She was peacefully having a nap when I approached and the place was quite shaded. Thankfully it was an overcast day with lots of diffused light. Suddenly the cat yawned as I was pressing my shutter and I am just thankful that the cat's face came out reasonably sharp because I was using a slow shutter speed. Ilford FP-4 printed on Kentmere RC paper.

pampered with love

Believe it or not, these cats are well pampered and loved. Their master is a very cheerful jasmine lei vendor who always has a ready smile to everyone visiting her stall. Most of the time these cats are just sleeping....without any cares in the world. Meanwhile the traffic of Silom Road just passes them by. Ilford FP-4 printed on Kentmere rc paper.



daddywasabi
07.24.05

updated 07.29.05

screaming tree

After I finished testing Ilford FP-4 for a suitable EI, I was so eager to test drive the film using my sekonic meter. I found this tree in the park where there it was almost side lit by the slowly setting sun which was perfect because of the shadows and highlights. I was more concerned with placing the zones than anything else. It was only later that it became apparent that the tree looked like it was screaming! Ilford FP-4 printed on Kentmere rc paper.

daddywasabi
07.16.05

road into the woods

It was still overcast even past lunch time. The roads were very dry. Obviously the rowdy songkran caravans did not pass through these secluded roads otherwise it would have been soaking wet. This is not yet my final print on this one. I may yet work on another version of this print. Ilford FP-4; printed on kentmere rc paper.

daddywasabi
07.15.05

ferns by the falls

also taken last songkran by a secluded water fall in saraburi before going to lampang. my friend was going on a picnic by the falls together with his extended family by the falls in saraburi. I remember that it was already quite dark and had already started to rain explaining the long shuter speed I used. I would like to do a partial sepia of this picture as well in the future. Ilford FP-4, pinter on kentmere rc paper.

daddywasabi
07.14.05

happy birthday bing!

Many happy returns and may you enjoy your day!

daddywasabi
7.14.05