More faces of Indochina 2011

Things have been so crazy – always is this time of year – since returning from Indochina (Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia) that we haven’t posted much from the trip.  We always enjoy this trip.  We have spent so much time in Asia in our lives it is like a second home to us.

Just a quick post and images to show the many faces and people of the region.  M&M strives to give our guests BOTH an awesome photography experience AND cultural experience.  There is no better way to connect culturally than with the people of where you visit.  Watch what they do, what they eat, how they work, how they interact – watch and photograph everything they allow you to.

It is hard to find a more hardworking and humble people on earth than in this region of the world.  Life is not easy for them but they do not let it keep them down or bring any negative aspects to their interactions with guests in their respective country.  They lead a simple life and are simply kind.

Nothing epitomizes simplicity more than monks.  I captured these two walking in a light rain just after sunrise in Luang Prabang.  Love the contrast in the image – the old, weather-worn and stained wall against the vibrant orange of the robes and the gold vs. black umbrella.  Also like the motion of the image.Canon 5DMKII, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 @200mm, f/4.5, ISO 1000, 1/640, Lexar Digital Film, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Clik Elite Pro Express Backpack

The mother and son team below were out early heading to the market when we visited the Floating Villages outside of Siem Reap.  The image grabbed me because of the colors, shadows and the absolute need for the boy to get his work done.  Have been testing the Sigma 7-200 f/2.8 and think it did a great job on the trip and with a shallow depth of field in this image.  Scenes like this play out all over Indochina.Canon 5DMKII, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 @200mm, f/2.8, ISO 250, 1/2500, Lexar Digital Film, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Clik Elite Pro Express Backpack

Images like this are all over the Floating Villages in Cambodia – just waiting to be captured by you.  The simplicity of life is the essence of how these people live.Canon 5DMKII, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 @200mm, f/5, ISO 800, 1/400, Lexar Digital Film, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Clik Elite Pro Express Backpack

Contrast that with life in Vietnam – much more fast paced whether you are in Hanoi or Saigon.  This young woman was sleeping on the job at Hanoi’s Central Market – it was hot, the store stalls are small and it is crowded. Canon 5DMKII, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 @200mm, f/4, ISO 1000, 1/100, Lexar Digital Film, Clik Elite Pro Express Backpack

What do they eat for breakfast on the street in the Old Quarter in Hanoi?  Pho’ – yes, even for breakfast and it is awesome yummy eats. Our guide took us to one of the most famous places so we could try ourselves.  Can this young woman be wrong?Canon 5DMKII, Canon 24-105L @105mm, f/4, ISO 1000, 1/125, Lexar Digital Film, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Clik Elite Pro Express Backpack

How does one get his/her haircut in Hanoi? Many visit “stalls/booths” like this one below.  Yep, face the little mirror and let the barber work his magic.  You can see Mike G’s blue shirt and part of his cheek in the reflection of the mirror.  Who has time to go to the salon?Canon 5DMKII, Canon 24-105L @32mm, f/6.3, ISO 400, 1/200, Lexar Digital Film, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Clik Elite Pro Express Backpack

But, get back into the countryside of Vietnam – like north near Sapa and Lao Cai – and you’ll run across small villages with basket makers like the man below who brings out the life in your images with his eyes and beard.Canon 5DMKII, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 @200mm, f/4, ISO 500, 1/125, Lexar Digital Film, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Clik Elite Pro Express Backpack

Just as a bit of foreshadowing for the next post about the trip we’ll leave you with the following image from Banteay Srei Temple which lies outside of Siem Reap, Cambodia and is considered by many one of the best temples of all Angkor temples.  The temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, is built of red sandstone, and has some of the most elaborate decorative carvings of all Angkor carvings which have endured 1100 years of wear and tear.  I spent a lot of time this trip working the carvings, reliefs and stone work of Cambodia.

Canon 5DMKII, Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 @180mm, f/4, ISO 320, 1/160, Lexar Digital Film, Tiffen Circular Polarizer, Clik Elite Pro Express Backpack

We hope you enjoy this post.  The people make the photographs and make our job easy.  Do not miss your chance to visit Indochina – https://mmphototours.wordpress.com/cambodia-laos-vietnam-with-ron-wyatt/

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Indochina 2011 – Laos

It’s been a fantastic first week of our tour through Southeast Asia!  Time has gotten away from me while we are out shooting everyday and enjoying critiques and tutorials with our guest pro Adam Barker.  Hopefully I’ll get time to explore the details later.

Here are a few quick images from Laos and the fun we had at the annual lantern festival and boat races in Luang Prabang.  Of course, we visited the local villages and markets – those images to come later.

The Lantern Festival is a Buddhist religious event that happens only once a year to coincide with the full moon.  It is a wild party where the entire town of Luang Prabang comes together for a full day of celebrations.

More to come soon about Vietnam and Cambodia too!

This monk was standing watching the boat races on the Khan River outside of Luang Prabang (LP).  Love his concerned look.

This boy was in the Lantern Festival procession through LP.  Love the modern t-shirt (Spider Men) vs the ancient tradition of the town.  His humility is all over his face.

 These young monks were watching all the floats and the parade through LP.  Love the juxtaposition of their status vs the use of cell phones to record the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This shot shows young monks and a visitor lighting and sending a “lantern” off into the air during the celebration.

The picture below is one of the festive floats the LP folks make during the festival.  There were many and they parade them through town and end up at the Mekong River where some are launched.

The shot below depicts 2 teams battling it out in a boat race during the day of the festival.  It is intense!

Hope you enjoy. All images were hand-held using Canon 5D Mark II and Canon L Series 24-105 f/4 lens or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens on Lexar Digital Film.  Thanks to Clik Elite for our camera backpacks, Tiffen for filters, Benro for tripods, Columbia Sportswear and all our sponsors who help us in the field.

More later!

Laos Vietnam Cambodia

We have another offer for you to take advantage of if you missed the China’s Best Treasures deal. For our Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia Photo Tour with Adam Barker we have a limited amount of discount offers for those of you that sign up fast! There is a little something there for the rest of you as well.

Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam   October 12-25, 2011
 
Deadline to sign up September 1, 2011
Extended Deadline September 12, 2011    CLOSED

Original Price  $6250 ***INCLUDES RT AIRFARE from US gateway city

For the next 2-4 guests
   – $5600/person  ***INCLUDES RT AIRFARE from US gateway city

For any guest after that
   – $5900/person  ***INCLUDES RT AIRFARE from US gateway city

DON’T HESITATE TO SIGN UP. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS DEAL!

Follow this link for more information about this TOUR. 

Follow this link to REGISTER for the Tour. 

COMPARE & SAVE WITH M&M Photo Tours

 

Spring is here and everyone is busy planning their travel season. It is important to decide on your destinations and book them soon because tours fill fast and you need to plan ahead. Tours fill fast but that’s no reason to rush into booking a tour before you compare QUALITY, CONTENT & PRICE. There is NOT a photo tour company that compares with our value and content! Now don’t think that because we give you a better value or lower price we are sacrificing quality and service. ABSOLUTELY NOT!  We offer GREAT Prices GREAT Service & GREAT Content. Just listen to what Bob had to say after our China’s Best Treasures tour in 2010. 

“I have been traveling on photography workshops since 2003 and China’s Best Treasures is the best trip I have ever taken.”      
              — Bob E., PA

 
  
How about what our guest pro Adam Barker had to say after our Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia tour in 2010?

“With literal decades of travel and photography experience under their belt, M&M Photo Tours is the answer for your exotic photography aspirations! Timing and location is paramount to capturing memorable five-star imagery, and M&M Photo tours make this top priority, all while maintaining an authentic and comfortable travel experience. As a guest pro for their 2010 Indochina tour, I look forward to many more fantastic photographic journeys with one of the best photo tour operators out there.” 
             –Adam Barker

Let’s compare a few to give you an idea: 
    (And don’t forget, our prices INCLUDE Round Trip Airfare!)

1) NatGeo offers China for $6895 before air.
M&M gives you an all inclusive China tour with Ron Wyatt for $5200 INCLUDING RT air!

2) NatGeo offers Vietnam & Cambodia for $7295-$7695 before air.
Van Os Photo Safaris offers Cambodia & Myanmar for $7995 before air.
M&M gives you Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia (Angkor Wat & more) with Adam Barker for $6250 INCLUDING RT air!

3) NatGeo offers Italy for $5995 before air.
M&M offers Tuscany w/ private villa and day trips to other locales for $5800 INCLUDING RT air!

4) NatGeo offers 10 days in India for $7160 before air.
M&M offers 14 days in North India & Nepal for $6900 INCLUDING RT air!

5) Van Os Photo offers 11 days in Tanzania for $9595 before air.
M&M offers 13 days in Tanzania for $9900 INCLUDING RT air!

6) NatGeo offers 9 days in Peru (Machu Picchu) for $5480 before air.
M&M offers 10 days in Peru (Machu Picchu) for $5900 INCLUDING RT air!

There is just a taste of what we offer compared to other photo tours that are out there. We have a lot of fun and give you the best service while doing it. It is important not to wait to book your tour, because most people sign-up in early to late spring and the tours fill fast after April 1.

Follow this link to our website for more info or check out other tours that are listed on this blog!!
http://www.mmphtototours.com

You can also follow this link to BOOK YOUR TOUR NOW!

The Holy See Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh, Vietnam

This faith is a mixture of Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Christianity and a few other faiths.  It grew up on the Vietnamese countryside and was founded by farmers in the early 20th Century. 

Those in red robes represent Confucianism, blue is Daoism and yellow is Buddhism.  All also wear white.  The temple has steps or levels and as one progresses they move up towards the “All-Seeing-Eye”.  They have 4 prayer services a day: 6 am, noon, 6 pm and midnight.

Very kind people and an amazing interior!

Floating Village Cambodia

We were treated to something especially fun in Cambodia, the Floating Village! Its hard not to take great pictures here! Our boat guide took us to a section of the village where no other tourists go. We were able to enjoy great photography unhindered by pesky tourists.

Enjoy the photos!

Which do you like better? Color or B&W?

This photo was taken in Vietnam but I just had to share it! Notice the motion of the arm. That’s what makes the picture.

Angkor Thom Cambodia

Come with us in 2011!!! –  Click Here

Visiting a location like Angkor Thom is something out of this world! The photographic opportunities are countless and amazing. We were able to enjoy this amazing location for a good amount of time. The photo above shows the soft beautiful sunset light hitting a part of the Angkor Thom complex with the dark moody clouds in the back ground.

We would love some comments and replies to this post. Let us know what you think.

Halong Bay Vietnam

We are excited to share a few of our pictures from Halong Bay Vietnam.  What a great cruise and opportunity for some fun pictures! Didn’t matter where you looked there was always something to shoot.

Fun shots of life in Laos

We thought we would post a few fun shots of Laos on here to show a little more of the culture, villages, markets & people. The time spent in Laos was well worth it! Mike G is shown here feeding the elephant that he rode today.

Culture and faces of Laos

Laos has been influenced by many countries and cultures but remains true to its heritage of simplicity of life and the following of Buddhist teachings.  Here are a few shots that illustrate that.