Photography Thailand Forum

[mlsk]

Anna,
Good to know that you got confirmed ticket for 9 June. Hearing from you guys that tickets are all gone by now has made a a wee bit concerned for myself .... I am trying to confirm with my friends what are the tickets they got for me on 6 June.

Really hope to bump into ppl from this forum on 6 June, even though its gonna be like striking the lottery! How will we recognise each other? Red cap? Camera equipment? ;-)

[anna]

mlsk, we can't say we go by equipment for recognition; I have a 20D and probably 10 others.  Maybe wear a big hat that says: FORUM. I placed my order of tickets the day they (Thai Textile Society) announced tickets for sale.  The following day they announced tickets are sold out but mine made it.  (whew!) 

[Renato]

Hi Anna,
Glad you've got your ticket confirmed, I am sure you will have a busy day taking photos of all the 52 boats paprticipating. It is quite an experience as this procession doesn't happen not unless there is something special. The Royal Barges Museum where some of these boats are kept will be opened from June 16, it might interest you to go there to enable you to see them close enough to see the details of the barges, if you have not gone there as yet. Happy shooting.

[mlsk]

52 barges??!! Wow, it will be awesome!
Some years ago, I went to a museum at Ayuthya and saw miniature replicas of the Royal Barge. They are so beautiful. It will be a real sight to see it live.

Will look out for a anna+20D. I will have a 350D, but I don't think I have a big hat+"forum" written on it.

[Renato]

Hi Misk,
I am just on the way to see the Royal Barge Procession rehearsal this afternoon and try my luck if I can get a good spot to shoot. If you read the Bangkok Post today they published all the schedules and suprisingly they have mornings as well. I am not sure if today is also a dress rehersal, I will only find this out later. Will let you know later.

[anna]

jingle, Supatra River House, 02-411-0305, still has opening for tonight.  Found this out just minutes ago that they have an opening.  I was told they were fully booked which is why I did not bother.  I actually talk to the reservation person.  But by then, it is too late for me to go as I live in Nonthaburi.  I even called to see if I could take the boat.  Apparently, they closed the river traffic.  I would have wanted to go to this one tonight because it won't be as crowded, not as expensive, and I'd like to take photos WITHOUT the dress rehearsal.  Good luck and tell us about it.  Anna

[Renato]

Hi Anna,
Just got back from the rehearsal. I had my messenger drove me all the way from Sukhumvit to Wat Arun, it was fast considering how bad the traffic is today. I was surprised to see less people there despite it being the best location to shoot. To tell you the truth I am not that much impressed with today's performance, I was expecting more. I am sure the others who waited for quite a while instead of the 4:30 schedule did have the same feeling. The lighting  was perfect from the Wat Arun side but the backdrop of the Emerald Temple was bad because they are demolishing the building right in front of it and it is really visible from all the shots I made. It was a waste of time, I wonder why they had to do it now. Note this if you are going to be on the Thonburi side when it is your turn. If you will be watching with full dress rehearsal then you are lucky but not today's one. The water lilies (Hyacinth) too spoiled the settings. I now wonder if I really would like to go and see it again even for free. The night shot will be very tricky even with a tripod as you are shooting a moving object. The water was a little bit rough so too the formation was a little bit out of proportion. Oh well, you guys could be lucky though.

[mlsk]

Thanks for the great info, Jingle!

Let me note this down:

Position 1 - Wat Arun
Pros - perfect lighting from Wat Arun Side & not so many people
Cons - backdrop of Emerald Temple is bad cos demolition works at a building is visible

Anyone got another position to "report"?

[Renato]

Hi Misk, forget the Wat Arun side as the areas facing it are not having good backdrop at all, even the market place had been cover with wood panels painted white. I suggest you stay on the Bangkok side and work out with the light the best way you can. With Wat Arun as the backdrop, you will get a better results, the other areas around are also better compared to the Bangkok side of the river. I may go back there again but this time I'll stick on the Bangkok side whatever light is available. Although I am not up to it after what I had experienced yesterday.

[Konthai]

Hi there,
I will be in BKK on the 9th and expect to reach the hotel around 5.30pm to 6.00 pm.
Do you think I will be able to catch the event or any celebrations in time?

[Renato]

I doubt it as they will close a lot of roads for traffic during that day, you can try it anyway specially if you have a reserved place to be. Every inch of Chao Phraya River bank will be full rain or shine. Actually I was there today and the heavy downpour just messed up what seems to be a fine afternoon. That will be it for me now as far as the procession is concerned. Might as well watch it on TV. The DSLR is more important than taking the risk of snapping photos which you are not sure will be good anyway. Good luck, you might be lucky though.

[Konthai]

Thanks a lot jingle52648,
Any photo taken yesterday?

I will try it anyway, at lease I get to light up the candle along the Thai.

[Renato]

It was all bad that it is not even worth sharing, I guess it is just my bad luck and so many others also I am sure were disappointed. I had it for this procession and will not even try to see it again. Well, at least I tried unfortunately someone up there didn't realize the importance of it to me. You could be lucky and don't forget to share the photos in this Forum. There are other forum members who will be there this coming Friday so I am sure we will see a few to be posted.

[jerry]

It will be very hectic