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Daily 2013

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Hamming it up at a wedding, Cupek, West Sumatra<br /> <br /> These two friends had gotten dressed up to appear exotic and were trying very hard to be serious like Minangkabau people whose portraits I had been taking. You can see that they are on the verge of breaking up and are trying very hard to stifle a laugh (best seen at larger sizes).<br /> <br /> For other portraits of the Minangkabau people, including a matron with the appropriate serious demeanour and a cute little girl, see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/jkD2F8">http://goo.gl/jkD2F8</a>
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Hamming it up at a wedding, Cupek, West Sumatra

These two friends had gotten dressed up to appear exotic and were trying very hard to be serious like Minangkabau people whose portraits I had been taking. You can see that they are on the verge of breaking up and are trying very hard to stifle a laugh (best seen at larger sizes).

For other portraits of the Minangkabau people, including a matron with the appropriate serious demeanour and a cute little girl, see here: http://goo.gl/jkD2F8

  • Women burning incense to a smiling Buddha, Sulamani Temple, Bagan, Myanmar<br /> <br /> At the original size you can just see the glowing end of the incense stick.<br /> <br /> I liked the position of the three woman, each a little closer to the Buddha and each head higher than the next, drawing my eye up towards the statue's hand, and then the light coloured arm and shoulder making a reverse curve up towards the head (i.e., all together making a semi-circle)<br /> <br /> For another image of a woman with a different Buddha (and a photo of two cute school children) see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/Gsgsz">http://goo.gl/Gsgsz</a>
  • Running ostrich, Ngala, South Africa<br /> <br /> Ostrich are not that common in the Ngala region of South Africa, and this was the only one I saw. It was running pretty fast, so I was lucky to get a photo. They can run at speeds up to 44 mph. It is a male Southern Ostrich (Struthio camelus australis). They have a powerful kick (over 500 pounds/sq in) that can kill a man or a lion. Somehow it seems a little bizarre to be kicked to death by a bird.
  • Portrait of two locals driving an ox cart with a basket of fodder past a temple complex, Bagan region, Myanmar<br /> <br /> I couldn't decide between this photo, and an interesting photo with many repeated vertical lines that has visual appeal <a href="http://goo.gl/dlSe4">http://goo.gl/dlSe4</a>). I have also posted an interesting image of a relic stupa showing how they were constructed.<br /> <br /> Re Ilene's comment: I shoot with a Nikon D800. I've tried some smaller sensor cameras and while I appreciate their greater portability, they don't give me the quality of image that I look for. I came to photography through an interest in fine art (painting) and in using photography as way of documenting a scene that I might make a painting from. So I want to produce the best images possible in the circumstance. Over the years, I've come to appreciate photography as an art form in its own right, and like many of you, work hard to produce high quality images. A well known artist friend uses some of my images in her artwork, so I am still connected to the fine art side of the business through her: <a href="http://www.bearclawgallery.com/Paintings.aspx?ArtistID=19">http://www.bearclawgallery.com/Paintings.aspx?ArtistID=19</a>
  • Wedding portrait, Minangkabau wedding couple, Cupak, West Sumatra<br /> <br /> Previously I posted several galleries from the first half of our circumnavigation of Sumatra (Singapore to Nias Island). From Nias Island we continued on to West Sumatra (Padang area), the home of the Minangkabau people, a matrilineal society that lives in the highlands of West Sumatra. Although matrilineal, the Minankabau are Islamic, but with remnants of animism, a nature-based philosophy.<br /> <br /> For a highly colourful wider angle view of the wedding party, and for a very rare photo of the photographer, see here <a href="http://goo.gl/SBIIm">http://goo.gl/SBIIm</a><br /> <br /> (Off to Honolulu shortly for a few days for a conference - will post and comment when and where I can)
  • Portrait of a young boy at Shwezigon Pagoda, Hyuang Oo, Myanmar<br /> <br /> Re comments about the stuff on his face: Thanaka is a cosmetic paste made from the ground bark from the Thanaka tree that is widely used in Myanmar, mostly by women and children. It smells something like sandalwood and has a number of beneficial properties including protection from sunburn, preventing acne and promoting a smooth, beautiful skin.<br /> <br /> Shwezigon Pagoda is one of the oldest of ancient Bagan. It was completed by King Kyanzittha in 1089 to house a tooth relic and hairs of the Buddha. It is the most important reliquary shrine (meaning built to house a Buddha relic) in the Bagan area. Pilgrims from throughout Burma travel here each year in the Burmese month of Nadaw (November-December) to celebrate. This festival includes both elements of pre-Buddhist Nat worship (Nats are pagan anamistic spirits) and Buddhist themes. Shwezigon is thus a center of pilgrimage for both the archaic shamanic culture of Burma and the newer religion of Buddhism.<br /> <br /> Other photos from around the temple can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/Wb5hH">http://goo.gl/Wb5hH</a>
  • Women bringing food offering, Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung Oo, Myanmar<br /> <br /> I liked that the woman's outfit had colours that complimented the colours of the pagoda and she added balance to the image.<br /> <br /> For other views of the pagoda, including its use as a fancy pigeon roost, see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/VYEqTU">http://goo.gl/VYEqTU</a>
  • Woman etching designs into a vase at lacquer ware workshop, near Bagan, Myanmar<br /> <br /> Next time you see fine lacquer ware, you can appreciate the labour that went into producing it, as described below!<br /> <br /> Lacquer ware manufacturing originally came to Myanmar from China and it takes 5 to 7 months to make even the smallest item and up to a year to make larger items. Different materials are used to create the basic object to be covered with lacquer, including thin bamboo strips and horsehair that are coiled or woven into the shape that is finally coated with lacquer. Lacquer comes from the resin of a tree, Gluta usitata, that grows around the Bagan area of Myanmar, and it is harvested from the tree by tapping, in the same manner as rubber. When tapped, the sap is straw-coloured but quickly turns a glossy black.<br /> <br /> After the frame is made and bamboo wicker or horsehair has been woven around it, the first coating of lacquer is applied. The lacquer paint is applied by hand and the object is then left to dry for a week in an underground cellar. The object is then given a second coating of lacquer and left to dry for another week in the cellar. <br /> <br /> Then it is covered with a paste made from a mixture of pulverized buffalo bone, teak sawdust and lacquer and left to dry for another week. The object is then polished with pumice stone to remove rough surfaces and lacquer is applied again and it dries for another week. The object is polished again, both on the inside and outside, using a mixture of clay and stone. The polishing is done three times before the object is stored underground for one month. Then a long process of painting and drying begins. <br /> <br /> For the next seven weeks, a layer of lacquer is applied at one week intervals. The result is a shining black surface made even glossier by polishing with a buffalo chamois soaked in sesame oil. At this stage, traditional designs are etched onto the surface, as you see in this photo. Then a layer of colour is applied and the lacquer ware is left to dry for a week, then polished with rice husks, washed with water and painted with acacia glue to fix the colour. If another colour is required, more details are etched and then the object is coated with the second colour, left to dry for a week, washed and then fixed with acacia glue again. More etchings are made and a third colour is added, if desired, and the object is left to dry for a month. <br /> <br /> Then it is polished first with teakwood ash and water, and then with a piece of cotton cloth. It is washed and dried again for ten minutes in the sun and finally polished with a powder made from pulverized petrified wood. Finally, the object is painted once more on the inside with red lacquer, left to dry for one week and is ready for sale. <br /> <br /> For a photo of the process of applying gold leaf designs, and a description of this, see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/LZkcU">http://goo.gl/LZkcU</a>
  • Two fishermen at dawn on the lava rocks, Waiwamalu Beach, Oahu, Hawaii<br /> <br /> It was very hard to choose a favorite to post from the dawn fishing photos from Hawaii. For the silhouette photos taken pre-dawn, and one taken later than this one (and also one with full colour) see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/yLKJwd">http://goo.gl/yLKJwd</a><br /> <br /> Info: shot using a D800 on a monopod, aperture priority 1/320 sec, f 16, ISO 320, 300 mm
  • Petunias<br /> <br /> A few flowers to brighten your day! I liked the unusual colour of these petunias and their blood red veins.
  • Makapuu Point in semi-silhouette, Oahu, Hawaii<br /> <br /> Makapuu Point is back lit from this early morning perspective, making a strong diagonal line with the Makapuu Lighthouse just a blip on the hypotenuse of a triangle, and the breaking waves and the white birds (seen at the largest size) help to define the base of the triangle and give a sense of scale. The near face is just starting to catch the light, adding a little texture to the rock face.<br /> <br /> I had a hard time choosing between this image and the alternatives shot in the same area, seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/unrS6l">http://goo.gl/unrS6l</a>
  • Portrait of a Minangkabau girl at a wedding feast, Cupek, West Sumatra<br /> <br /> I posed this pretty young woman wearing traditional dress against one of the colourful wall hangings that decorated the Chief Regent's house.<br /> <br /> Update in response to comments: I noticed that it appeared to be the accepted norm among the Minangkabau people to adapt a serious, non-smiling pose when they are posing for portraits, although I have a number of casual photos when they are in a group where they relax and smile and ham it up (upcoming posts), You can also see this serious demeanour in the wedding photos I posted a few days ago, seen here <a href="http://goo.gl/O9Mzzh">http://goo.gl/O9Mzzh</a> and in portraits to come.<br /> <br /> More photos from West Sumatra can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/zRM7QE">http://goo.gl/zRM7QE</a>
  • Hamming it up at a wedding, Cupek, West Sumatra<br /> <br /> These two friends had gotten dressed up to appear exotic and were trying very hard to be serious like Minangkabau people whose portraits I had been taking. You can see that they are on the verge of breaking up and are trying very hard to stifle a laugh (best seen at larger sizes).<br /> <br /> For other portraits of the Minangkabau people, including a matron with the appropriate serious demeanour and a cute little girl, see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/jkD2F8">http://goo.gl/jkD2F8</a>
  • Don't try this at home!<br /> <br /> Update: Lots of problems commenting today! Not for lack of trying. Sorry if I missed you!<br /> <br /> Minangkabau woman concentrating on performing the traditional egg dance, Cupek, West Sumatra<br /> <br /> This is a traditional egg dance (the band playing the music is in the background) done by the Minangkabau young women and men. It involves balancing dishes in both hands while moving across a series of shallow bowls that contain eggs. The trick is to not dump the eggs out of the bowls, not break the eggs, not to step outside the bowls, and not break the dishes - all while wearing traditional clothing, moving in time to the music, and looking graceful. Not as easy as it looks, and requires excellent balance. <br /> <br /> For a couple more photos that show additional details of the egg dance, see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/NKsuy6">http://goo.gl/NKsuy6</a>
  • Minangkabau fight demonstration<br /> <br /> Update: Please support the forum in favour of keeping the Daily Community. Please go to this URL and vote! <a href="http://feedback.smugmug.com/forums/17723-smugmug/suggestions/4249646-fully-support-communities-on-the-new-smugmug">http://feedback.smugmug.com/forums/17723-smugmug/suggestions/4249646-fully-support-communities-on-the-new-smugmug</a><br /> Since NewSM no longer gives a link to the URL of commenters, I have started putting my URL at the end of my comments.<br /> <br /> The fighting technique of the men seemed to have elements of tai chi and tae kwan do. I came across a fascinating video yesterday of Minangkabau women fighting, which is also a combination of tai chi and tai kwan do, but with a stronger element of dance than the men (see here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-M9IuDifFk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-M9IuDifFk</a>)<br /> <br /> For another view of the fighting, and for a photo of an Indonesian war ship, see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/Vrq6Mt">http://goo.gl/Vrq6Mt</a><br /> <br /> Rumour has it that SmugMug will not longer support the communities including the Daily Photo Community. I think that this would be a shame, and hope those who agree with me should make their opinions known to SmugMug.
  • Dugout canoe, Bayur Bay, Padang, West Sumatra<br /> <br /> Bayur Bay (called Emmahaven during the time of the Dutch administration), is the major harbour and port of West Sumatra<br /> <br /> For more photos of the harbour see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/lZBo3c">http://goo.gl/lZBo3c</a>
  • Catching the morning light.<br /> <br /> Lava cliff with waves, spray and birds, Makapuu, Oahu<br /> <br /> As I was leaving Makapuu Point after sunrise, I looked back at the lava cliff and it was backlit and very dark except for the shoreline, where the waves, the spray, some white birds (shearwaters) and a small patch of green were catching the light. I hope I've managed to capture the effect! Best seen at larger sizes.<br /> <br /> Near the spot where this photo was taken is the Ku Heiau, a sacred spot dedicated to the Hawaiian god of war, Ku. See photos and explanation here: <a href="http://goo.gl/f8IkJJ">http://goo.gl/f8IkJJ</a>
  • Study in light and shadows<br /> <br /> Ironwood trees, Waimanalo Beach, Oahu. The early morning side lighting results in some dramatic shadows. Details are best appreciated at larger sizes.<br /> <br /> Hard to choose between this one and a couple of other images taken the same morning. You'll also enjoy these photos taken at Waimanalo Beach. See here: <a href="http://goo.gl/YUEmFz">http://goo.gl/YUEmFz</a>
  • Woman preparing street food over open fire, New Bagan, Myanmar<br /> <br /> Malfunction: I spend a lot of time making comments today (about an hour ago) and they seemed to appear OK, but everyone of them seems to have disappeared!!!! So sorry, but I don't have time to make them all again:-(<br /> <br /> Seeing food being cooked on the street, in what for us would be quite primitive conditions, is a common site in Myanmar.<br /> <br /> Update in response to billiejean's comment. During my time in Myanmar, although I saw a lot of street vendors, the only man I saw with a street stall was an Indian man selling Indian food from his stall (see my Yangon gallery). The kind of food stalls you see here are the source of much of the nutrition for the population, many of whom don't have the facilities to cook at home.<br /> <br /> For some other photos of daily life taken in the same area, see here: <a href="http://goo.gl/aJ8n6Q">http://goo.gl/aJ8n6Q</a>
  • Temple in their backyard, Bagan, Myanmar<br /> <br /> Second post today since these are the last of the images from Bagan; next comes Mandalay. We took a late day ride by horse cart to see another area with temples and I was surprised to see this dwelling made with rattan mats and thatch right up against the wall of one of the temples. Since many of you commented on the street food shot yesterday, if you look closely you can see a woman squatting at the left cooking over an outdoor fire.<br /> <br /> Update in response to comments: Farmers cannot own their land in Myanmar, and this is only a very minor temple of the thousands in the area and none of the others had dwellings like this, so its purpose will remain a mystery. My best guess is land inherited over generations, but in Burma there are no deeds for inherited land, so no possibility of offiicial ownership.<br /> <br /> The rest of the Bagan shots can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/Y4hQxB">http://goo.gl/Y4hQxB</a>
  • Sunset watchers gathering at the Thabeik Hmauk Temple at sunset, Bagan, Myanmar<br /> <br /> At every religious site in Myanmar, it is necessary to remove all footwear prior to entering. You can see the pile of shoes on the steps in this image. I found walking on the TEN centuries of filth of the ancient floors more than a little off-putting, imagining all the potential diseases I might pick up from the bird droppings, and worse. But 'when in Rome'! How we suffer for our art LOL. We wiped our feet afterwards with antiseptic towels, and I appeared to have survived with no after effects. <br /> <br /> The rest of the Bagan shots can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/Y4hQxB">http://goo.gl/Y4hQxB</a>

  • Boobaby

    on July 30, 2013

    lol...great capture!

  • worldofwonder

    on July 30, 2013

    Good timing on your part, they look like they are a moment away from losing it.

  • TinaMarie Gardner

    on July 30, 2013

    fun portrait

  • nelli

    on July 30, 2013

    LOL I'm smiling for them in case they are marrying Minangkabau husbands; so the nuptial don't get called off.

  • DreamCatcherPhotography

    on July 30, 2013

    Neat shot, how cute!

  • Lgood

    on July 30, 2013

    Love this!

  • Howard's Photography

    on July 30, 2013

    Fun catch, you can see they're doing their best to hold it in!

  • TruImages

    on July 30, 2013

    Fun times!

  • Donna McCommon

    on July 30, 2013

    Great capture.

  • fotoeffects

    on July 30, 2013

    It is nice to see that wedding guests have a great sense of humor! Great portrait!

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