After making my way to Malaysia last week I was planning to head to Indonesia. Instead I have ended up back in Bangkok (again!) after getting an invitation to attend the Royal Barge Procession rehearsal.
[Not an actual barge]
This event is only held every few years so I couldn’t pass up the offer. It also gave me a chance to catch up with some blogger friends.
[Chris, Kevin, James, Dieter, Mark]
There are two rehearsal days before the main event and journalists/media are invited to attend to get a better position for photos as well as getting photos out before the main day. I will publish a photo post next, and if you happen to be in Bangkok on the 9th of November I would highly recommend heading down to the river to see this event.
It was an interesting day out mingling with photo journalists as well. I often get asked if I would like to be guide book writer. That sounds like the hardest travel job in the world to me. I think I will add photo journalist to that list as well. At least event photo journalist. I always appreciate event photography, especially for sporting events, but I know that behind the scenes there is hours of waiting around, shooting hundreds, thousands of shots in the hope of getting that magazine cover shot or feature in a newspaper. It seems to be a competitive business as well, and we saw one skirmish break out over a prime position on the riverside.
Then there is the equipment. I thought I was doing alright with a 150mm lens, but it really showed it limitations when I was surrounded with what looked like bazooka’s with a camera attached. I love photography and I am constantly trying to improve, but I will stick to photography that doesn’t require a personal sherpa to carry my equipment around. I recall this interview with Henry Rollins where he says he only uses a 16-35mm lens, which forces him to get up closer to his subject. I like that philosophy.
[Waiting patiently for the boats]
Travel Links
Trying out a new section where I will be posting links related to travel and digital nomadding on a weekly basis.
Electronics for the Digital Nomad – Speaking of carrying equipment, here is what Michael of Art Of Backpacking carries.
That’s so different Refreshing environment in Bangkok, Watching the Boats and of course it gets more active when we get to listen the capturing sound of Camera Shutters around us!