"Into the Sun" Photograph

People walking into bright, low sunshine make quite good photographic subjects for me as they are much less likely to notice me taking their picture which means they usually keep whatever natural expression they are wearing at the time.

You can see the shadow of my shoulder and arm on this woman’s shirt as I take her photograph with my camera at belly-level.

Photograph taken at the “Saturday Walking Street”, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

"Grumpy Old Man" Photograph

Maybe he’s grumpy because somebody made him wear a name-tag, green scarf and red bobblehat. Maybe he noticed me and doesn’t like being photographed. And while I’m making up possible reasons, maybe he stood in some dog droppings and has just spotted the culprit.

More likely, he is stuck with the expression as a result of tooth-loss and old age. I hope I get stuck with an expression just like this at his age. Then, any smile from me will be such a relief to others that it’s sure to make them happy.

Photograph taken at the “Saturday Walking Street”, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

"Drunk-in-charge-of-puppies" Photograph

An early end to the working day for this mechanic in Bangkok who had clearly been drinking beer for a while before I passed by one afternoon.

For puppies like these that spend their time outside with access to everything happening on the street it is just another part of the broad experience that forms their education and will hold them in good stead throughout their adulthood. In the often bustling, confusing situations that they will find themselves in they will probably cope far better than would a more cosseted pet with a much more limited background.

Photograph taken in Rangsit, Bangkok, Thailand.

"Pondering" Photograph

ponder

verb think about, consider, study, reflect on, examine, weigh up, contemplate, deliberate about, muse on, brood on, meditate on, mull over, puzzle over, ruminate on, give thought to, cogitate on, rack ones brains about, excogitate

He definitely looks like a cogitator.

Photograph taken at the “Saturday Walking Street”, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Starting the New Year

I have felt like this on New Year’s Day a few times and it never feels like a good way to start the year, although it does at least ensure that things will get better.

I have no idea if there was really something wrong with her or if she was just wrapped up in her own thoughts whilst waiting for someone perhaps, but a woman nearby smiled reassuringly at me when I took the photo so I left her teetering on the curb. I hope she didn’t jump.

Photograph taken at the “Sunday Walking Street”, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Photo of a Thai Santa?

Try not to over-eat this Christmas.

Photograph taken at “Sunday Walking Street” market, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Photo of a Talented Sleeper

Too many late nights during this party season? Or perhaps more likely too many late nights playing computer games. I think this young Thai guy really was asleep as he didn’t move for ages. It was quite impressive how he managed to remain in exactly the same position without his head slumping over or his elbow slipping off his knee. Maybe we all have this talent in our youth.  

I was half-expecting him to suddenly wake up and find the tablecloth stuck to his forehead but he never did and for all I know he is still there fast asleep.

Taken at “Sunday Walking Street” market, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Small Seat Photo

This seat ain’t big enough for the two of us!

Thai people in general have a wonderful ability to get down low that many of the rest of us lose somewhere in our school years. All the way up to old age they can comfortably sit cross-legged on the floor, squat for a chat in the street or perch with ease on the tiniest of chairs. Just looking at this photograph makes my knees ache.

Taken at “Sunday Walking Street” market, Chiang Mai, Thailand

'No Left Foot' Photo

The strange thing about this photograph is the way the woman’s loose trousers combined with her walk has made it look like she doesn’t have a left foot. 

She does have one.

Photograph taken in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Streetside Jeweller in Chiang Mai

In this case it is a jeweller sitting working in his mobile shop on wheels in Chiang Mai but it could just as easily be one of many other types of tradespeople. Thai streets are full of them and in the major population centers it’s usually easy to find the right person for any particular job that needs doing. Unfortunately for many this means a continual struggle as what work there is gets spread too thinly amongst the competition.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Powernap Photo

Even Superman needs to nap occasionally.

Photographed in the back of a ‘songthaew’ - the ubiquitous two-bench pick-up trucks used as public transport around Chiang Mai and other parts of Thailand.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thai Street Vendor Bending Photo

This was photographed as people were preparing for one of the popular weekly street markets in Chiang Mai. The old Thai lady wearing a traditional ‘pasin’ wrap-around skirt is, I think, marking the ground where a market stall will be.

If I stare at this picture long enough, she starts to topple forwards.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thai Man on a Mission Photo

Carrying 24 bottles of whiskey on your shoulders must be a heavy burden and he was certainly taking it very seriously. He strode passed me at quite a pace before I noticed him amongst the crowds and I struggled to get ahead of him for a photograph.  On his way to a party perhaps, his “whiskey blinkers” make him look very purposeful and I imagine he arrived with a pretty good thirst.

Unless, of course, he’s just carrying two empty boxes…

Chiang Mai, Thailand

A Very Minor Mystery in Chiang Mai

I don’t know who this woman is but I see her several times a week, particularly around the local street market and she is clearly an ‘old-face’ around our area in Chiang Mai. This photogenic old face of hers has the soft, approachable quality that is so typical of elderly Thai ladies and you just know she’s always ready with one of those Thai smiles that help to make the country so livable.

When I see her she is often carrying a tray of noodle condiments (vinegar, sugar, fish sauce and ground chili) or drinks as in this photograph. It would be very easy to find out why she wanders around like this but I think I prefer to leave her with her little mystery.

Chiang Mai, Thailand