Monks Crossing, a photo from Louangphabang, North

Photographer's Note

Being from Laos, perhaps it will never be fair for me to have an opinion, because I will mostly find it charming. It brings back my childhood memories and the nostalgic feeling.

We were walking along the river bank to enjoy the sunset. We came to the end of the town where the Nam Khan River merging into the Mekong. There was a shakey little bamboo bridge, built by the locals. We have to pay about a couple of dollars to cross it. We weren’t too sure if it is worth to cross it, since we didn’t know what was on the other side. I decided to go ahead and pay to support the local and it was worth every bit, soon after we crossed this shaky bridge, the line of monks came down from the temple and started to cross the bridge. Here I can truly say, even if I’m not from here, I was charmed by the whole scene playing out in front of me. Sometimes I wish that I could just stand there and not having to keep clicking on the camera to record the moment. I did for a few shots and just stood there in silence and truly be charmed and soaking in the atmosphere.

The reasons they have to charge some fee for crossing the river is that every years in the rainy season, the bridge will get destroyed and maybe flush away by the current. They have to rebuild the bridge. I guess it is fair to pay for a small fee.

daddo, ikeharel, Suppiluliuma, pajaran, COSTANTINO, danos, papagolf21, holmertz, rasterman, Royaldevon, worldcitizen, ChrisJ, Cricri, Gigidusud, Didi, fotka, cornejo, king, pili51 ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

daddo (28728) 2015-09-21 16:41

Nice to see your photos once again and as usual impeccable composition,beautiful mood enhanced by the colours and light and of course the important human element which is never obtrusive in a landscape composition.
As for nostalgia, we are children of our memories, no matter how old we become and it's the sights, smells and voices/noises from our past which will accompany us to our graves. What is lost becomes deeply embedded in our psyche, especially if we never had a chance to say a proper farewell to things and folk that made our childhood filled with contentment and a sense of belonging. Such is the fate of migrants and refugees whether they cross borders or change provinces. Best wishes. Klaudio.

Bergenphotos (3326) 2015-09-21 17:21

Good evening Way.

I very much enjoy this photo, maybe a bit also because I remember the place from my summer holiday. Laos is one of my favourite countries in Asia and that is because of scenes like this. Here you have captured the soul of Laos. The mighty Mekong, the Buddhism and those endless forests that I learned to associate with this country.

I will see this as a reminder that the most adventurous option always pays off!

Best regards from Norway.

Gerrit (59968) 2015-09-21 19:16

Hello Way,
magnificent sunset photo. Excellent composition with a lot to enjoy and a great atmosphere. Perfect color and light handling.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

Suppiluliuma (3931) 2015-09-21 21:52

Dear Way,

Long time no see as I was also out of "town".

I have profound memories for Laos, in particular Luang Phrabang, as it was the most sincere atmosphere, authentic environment with lovely people of our whole IndoChina trip.

The picture depicts a wonderful moment with monks crossing the shaky bridge, the reflections on the Mekong and the classical river boat.

Warm regards,

Erdem

COSTANTINO (103979) 2015-09-21 23:00

Hello dear Way Lin and have a nice time
excellent classical capture during
this romantic and delicate sunset
I love those delicate pretty colors
I love the whole presentation
nice timing with the human figures
walking on the bridge
regards
Costantino

danos (110407) 2015-09-21 23:05

Hello Way,
welcome back after your long-term absence with this superb sunset scenery from your country.I like the created reflections on the calmly surface of the river with the dark silhouettes of the monks as crossing the bridge to make the scene even more effective.Excellent the light and the colour management of the scene.

Regards,Danos

dkmurphys (77952) 2015-09-21 23:40

Hello,
A superb scene in a perfect sunlight. I like the POV and the colors. Lovely calm atmosphere.

Daniel

papagolf21 (152599) 2015-09-21 23:43

Bonjour, cher Way,
Voilà une composition de toute beauté qui mérite les félicitations.
La réussite est bien présente.
Bravo !
Très bonne journée;
Amitiés.
Philippe

holmertz (92724) 2015-09-22 2:17

Hello Way,
It's very nice to see you back. I thought you were lost forever ;-).
This is a captivating photo with wonderful colors and light and a fascinating view of the river and the monks crossing the bridge. The atmosphere is absolutely peaceful and harmonious (and looking at the photo I am not bothered by the mosquitos).
I recognize your need to stop taking photos at a moment like this. So many times I have felt that my camera separated me from the environment and the people around me.
Kind regards,
Gert

lousat (129831) 2015-09-22 4:30

Hi Way,it's nice to see you again after 9 months! And obviosly it's nice to see a new wonderful pic in your magnificent gallery.Spectacular sunset very well exposed,and well played with the silhouettes of monks,bridge and reflections in backlight taken in a great sharpness.A magic atmopshere too,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

mayjayne (7354) 2015-09-22 5:25

Hello Way,

Lovely sunset shot from Luang Prabang...a nice chosen perspective to watch the monks crossing. I have never been to Laos, but am noting down the interesting spots for the day when I will be there !

TFS,May

ikeharel (105793) 2015-09-22 6:25

Hi Way,
Added a personal approach in your note and it is understandable, yielding to home with such a scenery can be most impressive on feelings. That's made it even nicer.
Fabulous moment taken, the golden light intensified with the reflection on water, gave extra imposing scale to the wooden bridge and the monks crossing.
Bravo,
Ike

gervaso (28177) 2015-09-22 9:04

Hello, Way!

Wonderful presentation of the sunset and its reflection on the calm water! The silhouettes of the people crossing the wooden bridge are great! Wonderful compositino! Excellent job!

BennyV (32566) 2015-09-22 11:02

Hello Way

Great to see another post of yours here. This is a superb scene, classic Luang Prabang. I think I recognize the location! The monks, the reflections, the bend in the river, the sunset...it all adds up & works. Congratulations.

Benny

rasterman (479) 2015-09-22 11:56

Hello Way,

Beautiful photo with great composition, light, color and contrast. Nice atmosphere. Good job.
TFS

John

Royaldevon (75240) 2015-09-22 12:31

Hello Way,

I can be quite unbiased about your photograph as I do not come from Laos; I just love it. I find the mood calm and tranquil, with the setting sun bathing the sky with a warm, amber glow, which is being reflected most attractively in the river. The busy monks blend into the scene quite naturally on their end of the day walk.
The bridge looks as if it is being supported by the long, thin legs of some giant spider but is still all the more charming because of that! It is definitely something that I would never experience at home!

As always, your photograph is superbly composed, a pleasure to view.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

fds (9963) 2015-09-22 12:56

very fantastic location with fantastic sunset i licke very much this little bridge with all monks and fantastic suggestions

emka (152060) 2015-09-22 13:36

Hello Way, so nice to see you here again and specially with the picture from Laos. Marvelous evening photo, with splendid mood and colours.

Warm regards Malgo

federico (6109) 2015-09-22 15:01

hello Way, wonderfull photo, the sunset, the bridge, the river, the monks, all match perfectly in your composition,quite good management of the backlight and good post processing
regards
Fred

npecanhuk (79329) 2015-09-22 21:08

Hi Way!
Wonderful picture!
Here, many details that are to be enjoyed for sure!
Exposure, colors, level of sharpness, chosen pov and composition are outstanding photo qualities!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

willperrett (14029) 2015-09-23 9:12

Hello Way

Glad to see you posting again! This is a magnificent image: as ever, it's the light that makes it. The purple and orange tones are strong without being forced, and the composition, with the rickety bridge making a diagonal across the frame, works well. The moored boat is an important element too. Good work.

Regards

Will

worldcitizen (14264) 2015-09-23 14:26

Hello Way,
Beautiful reflections and silhouettes in this photo. The high POV looking down on the crossing monks is wonderful. The last rays of sunlight in the sky and also in the water create an even more magical effect to this already-magical scene.

ChrisJ (159862) 2015-09-24 2:03

Hello Way,

Good to see a new upload from you and I always look forward to them. This one is no exception and did not disappoint. I've been to Luang Phrabang and have fond memories of the place. I took a few similar sunset shots of the Mekong. Nice color and saturation with the usual flawless sharpness. Tfs.

Cricri (176) 2015-09-24 4:39

Hi Way
Un instant magique bien capturer rendant une atmosphère très agréable et de toute beauté au paysage, très belle réalisation
belle journée
cricri

adores (46979) 2015-09-27 16:25

Hi Way!
I see you have visited your country:)! This is a very famous place and you captured it just wonderfully. The light and the colours are magical. I really like the silhouettes of bridge and the people crossing it.

abmdsudi (88423) 2015-09-28 21:59

Sabaidee Way
What a cracking shot to return with Way, nostalgic, peaceful yet so dramatic!! Absolutely fabulous sunset image with lovely silhouetted monks - being the most successful and effective focal point. You've certainly demonstrated why it is called sunset, amazing what levels lighting and colours can do to a shot like this. It's just fabulous golden glow and the gorgeous shiny still reflection turning this to an amazing visual atmosphere. Great shot, thanks for sharing.
Congrats
Ps: Way, to share my the experience; I was alone and quiet on that spot and as always all alone on my photo shoot, with full respect on local tradition. it was so far so good till the 'majesty of those ugly tourists' came into the picture guided by the skilfull invisible hand of the tourism industry. Sadly all dignity was lost when this religious ceremony has become the top tourist attraction, i cant imagine flashing a bulb in the faces of the monks and with those 'uncivilised animals' outnumbering participants spoiling the ceremony with disrespectful behavior...
Best wishes

Gigidusud (21679) 2015-10-04 15:26

Hello Way,
A beautiful scene at sunset very well commented in the note, it seems to me I'm here. Yes it's good participating in the maintenance of the bridge. Very nice photo, I love!
Sincerely,
Gigi

Didi (61587) 2015-10-17 17:19

Hi Way
Well done for this nice view in the sunset
Very nice local scene
You should post more in Trekearth
Best regards

fotka (7499) 2015-11-05 5:04

Hi Way,
I see that you visited your homeland country to bring us beautiful photo. Peaceful atmosphere of slow flowing water, exotic bridge with monks crossing and fantastic sun set made this photo eye-catcher.
Perfect quality as always.
Best regards,
Zbigniew

mkamionka (61018) 2015-11-24 5:33

Hi Way,
wow, this is an incredibly beautiful composition. The sunset is of course perfectly taken, but also by selecting a great POV you have taken in the lovely bridge which provides quite an interesting silhouette and it is set against the river reflecting this amazingly colorful sky. There are also some people walking it, and the boat on the river - so many attractive elements, all of them at perfect positions,
Breath taking photography!
Excellent work!
M

cornejo (61504) 2016-02-05 11:47

Hi Way, beautifully shot this scene of daily life in this wonderful place, with a lovely light. Well it composed and captured in this interesting image with good sharpness, beautiful light, color and quality. A great job well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good evening and happy weekend.
All the best from southern Spain.
Angel.

king (4242) 2016-02-08 23:02

Hello Way,
Nice bridge, nice sunset, nice story,
Tfs,
Kind regards,
Huub de K.