Photography Thailand Forum

[SimonP]

Whenever I'm planning my holidays the first thing I do is look at the calendar to see what events are on.  My trips are then based upon that (as well as weather of course).  Thailand is a wonderful place for festivals.  There is such a huge variety and people are invariably in a fun and relaxed mood - great for photography!

Here are some photos of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival from last year.  Comments as always are welcome.   

Most photographers in Thailand will be aware of this event.  Warning - those that are squeamish might choose not to look at the last of the three pics.  This year's Festival starts on Saturday and runs for nine days.

I'm heading down on Friday night.  Anyone want to catch up there let me know.

Simon.

P.S.  Can anyone advise me how to use the feature to make black borders in PS?  Am new to this tool and have had no luck with the canvas function there.

[SimonP]

One of the many Chinese Temples.

[SimonP]

Parade.

[David Procter]

A great document Simon. What are they like in colour? Any blood?
I'm actually going down to Phuket for the weekend. Where does the festival take place?
I'm sure it'd be a marvel to see.
david

[bjorn slis]

Back borders:

set the backround color in p'shop to black,
go to image/canvas size set "relative" and fill in the amount of pixels that you want the border to be.
I'll send an action to your mailadres, just import it in p'shop, run it, et voila

[SimonP]

Thanks David.  No there wasn't so much blood (if there was I prob. would have posted the colour versions), but it still kinda puts you off your breakfast when you see these guys coming down the road!  Check out this site for Festival details.  You can click on days on the calendar on the left to see what is happening where and when: http://www.phuketvegetarian.com/index_eg.htm. 
 
My first shot was taken at one of the Temples in Phuket Town at the Pole Raising.  Very crowded there!  Be careful as well - I got pickpocketed there (has to be a first time for everyone I guess).  When I went to later events there were loudspeaker announcements warning people to watch out exactly for that.  But no messages in English...

Bjorn, thanks  very much for helping me finally working it out.  It seems that PS is one of those things that is really easy when you know how, but when you don't it can drive you crazy! 

Simon.

[David Procter]

look forward to it Simon, thanks for the info.

[pgandr]

Will anybody be shooting the festival this year? I am covering it for two magazines and will be down in Phuket 27-30. If anybody is down there too...I am keen to meet up...

[SimonP]

Pgandr, Just got back from Phuket, wish I could have stayed right til the end.  You're gonna have fun down there!  So much happening.  One tip for the parades - go to the Temple where the Parade originates at least an hour before the start time on any schedule you read.  That way you'll be there for all the people going into trances as well as the actual body piercing. 

Simon.

[aisama]

The pictures looks so great!
But ouch! Is that thing going through their skin?

[agitlits]

Great series of photos, Simon. I like No.1 the most and B&W works well here. Keep them coming!
Alex

[SimonP]

Thanks a lot Aisama and Alex, and yes the piercings are going through the skin.  Seeing them getting pierced is certainly an eye opener!
Simon.