Photography Thailand Forum

[lotuseater]

I'm going to be in Thailand in September and I am really looking forward to photographing the vegetarian festival this year and I wanted to get a thread going on what works and what does not. What's good and what is not. And of course what is not to be missed.
I am thinking I will be there for four days of the festival this year though I have the option of being there for the whole thing if I desire. I am just looking for some advice as to what people have experienced in the past and parts of the festival and places that are not to be missed. I really want to capture the essence of the festival and get shots of both the procession, and the pre and post rites.
Any advice you have on anything relating to the festival would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers. Ryan.

[lotuseater]

Just found this in an older thread.

http://www.phuketvegetarian.com/

The festival will be running from September 28th till October 7th this year. (2008)

[SimonP]

Hi, I personally think this is a very fun event to shoot - there are of course lots of photographers down there.  You also tend to see the same types of shots when you look at other people's images so I think it's good to put a bit of thought and preparation in before going down.  Look up other people's work on the net, study the history behind it, and really study the schedule and map of the island to make a general plan before hand.  There's so much happening in different parts of the island that there is no chance of covering it all - but if you can get the best of each type of event then you'll be doing well. 

Some people go down there and take it as it comes, but that's not my style - I like to know what shots I want.  If you can hire a motorcycle with a driver then you can also be flexible and move around quickly.  It does get very hot following the processions!  It may also rain, but usually not much.

Four days is not really that long but if that's the time you've got I'd choose the last four days as everything just gets more intense and the closing ceremony is really moving and beautiful.  Also, not quite so many photographers then (they've all faded away;) )

If there is a must do then I would say it is to get to a temple where the procession starts from - and do so an hour/hour and a half before the schedule - you'll get great light and awesome piercing shots.

Last thing I would recommend is to wear white as most of the locals do (lots of clothes for sale around the Vege Restaurants), and be careful with pickpockets - it's very common.  Buy some safety pins and use them to seal off your pockets.

Hope that helps!
Simon.

[kinginexile]

Absolutely as Simon says, and especially, get there early, maybe make yourself accepted, familiar to a few involved in the event, and in the oft-quoted words of Capa: get close (ie. no 70-200, keep that for restaurant dances, ahahah)

[ryanlibre]

Thanks for that Simon.  ive been vegan for 11 years and serious about photography just as long, but this is the first time i'll make it to the event.  very excited. 

i'll stay for 2 weeks and i'll be teaching 2 workshops,  one before and one during the festival.   http://www.idioimagers.org/photography-workshops/


this year Eid ul-Fitr the festival at the end of Ramadan is at the same!  there are also many Muslims in Phuket so it should be extra eventful.   

[lotuseater]

Looks like I might be stuck with some work in Chiang Mai for the duration of the event. Does anyone know if there are festivities in Chiang Mai. I know that the signs are out already for vegetarian food but are the festivities that happen in Chiang Mai anywhere near the extent that they are in Phuket?

I am especially interested in the acts of ritual mortification, just wondering if anyone has any information about where and when the festivities might take place in Chiang Mai.