Happy birthday to me...going back to Myanmar

Leica All Day

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Hello everyone.....well, it's not actually my birthday yet, my birthday is on June 12th.......anyways, I was trying to think of what I wanted to do for my birthday (living in Bangkok the possibilities are quite amazing)....in the end, I decided to go back to Myanmar for a week and take some photos.....(two of my favorite things, traveling and taking photos)

I am going alone and I am going to try to focus 100% on photography.....I've already been there a couple of times and I am quite familiar with the country, but this time I am going to try to go to some different places and try to capture some "different images"....I am bringing about 70 rolls of film......I was debating on what film to bring, but in the end, I am sticking with the same stuff that I have been using (kodak pro image 100)....I have about 40 rolls of tri-x in my refrigerator that are just sitting there.....but they will have to wait for another project.....

my gear is already sorted out....m6ttl/m2.....15/28/35/50/90 and a flash for some night shots......I hardly ever use the flash, but I always take it because sometimes I like to walk around at night and the flash comes in handy.....

anyways, when I come back I will post some images in my Myanmar thread and share some photos with you guys.......

cheers, michael
 
What a GREAT way to spend. B-Day
Lucky YOU !!!

Look foward to your Stellar Atmospheric shots

To a Grand Celebration of Colour & Light ...Happy Birthday ...xo- H
 
Thank you soooooo much Helen, you are such an amazing photographer and I am truly happy that you are on this forum and share your wonderful photos with us......I hope one day, I can meet you and have a drink with you and your very cool looking male friend....(sorry I forgot his name).....

cheers, michael

BTW, when I tell my Thai friends that I am going to be in Myanmar alone for my birthday, they tell me "that is sad and lonely"......little do they know how happy I am when I am walking around in that country taking photos and meeting the local people......
 
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Hey thanks a lot guys......

Hey Luna, that is pretty cool that your son and I share the same birthday.......I plan on spending my birthday at Shwedagon Pagoda because I'll be flying back to Bangkok on the 13th, and I always like to be back in Yangon the night before my flight......

cheers, michael
 
Have fun Khun Michael. I have just realized that you and Nick Yoon knew each other. He is a friend of a very good friend of mine. Two weeks ago, they came to Bangkok for a visit, to shoot photos and enjoy street food. What a small world.

Anyway, happy birthday in advance and enjoy Myanmar. The country is also one of my favorite destination for photography. Their markets and villages are lovely. Have fun!
 
happy birthday mon ami!

i truly enjoy watching how your interaction with Myanmar moves forward. beautiful pictures and i feel like i am a watching a long story unfold.
 
That's great Michael, best way to spend a birthday, doing what you love :)
Enjoy the Burmese people, looking forward to seeing some of your shots when you get back!
 
Have fun Khun Michael. I have just realized that you and Nick Yoon knew each other. He is a friend of a very good friend of mine. Two weeks ago, they came to Bangkok for a visit, to shoot photos and enjoy street food. What a small world.

Anyway, happy birthday in advance and enjoy Myanmar. The country is also one of my favorite destination for photography. Their markets and villages are lovely. Have fun!

Thanks again everybody, I appreciate it,,,,,

I was in contact with Nick while he was here in Bangkok and I was looking forward to meeting up with him and showing him around ....but the timing didn't work out and we didn't get a chance to meet up....what a shame...but I have a feeling I will be seeing him in KL sometime this year....

cheers, michael
 
I bought 20 more rolls of film today.......I seriously doubt I will need them....but you never know......anyways, I leave in the morning.......i am super excited for this trip....it will be a memorable birthday for me.......

cheers, michael
 
Great way to spend your birthday. Have an inspiring trip and hope you post some on here when you get back
Chris
 
Hello everybody ......I am at the airport waiting to get on the plane.....I spent a couple of hours last night looking at some of my previous photos from Myanmar and trying to think of what I want to photograph this time....I also spent some time looking at some photos from some of my favorite photographers here on rff.....trying to get some inspiration....
I realize we all have different styles and such, but it was nice to browse through some of your photos and get some new ideas.....i also spent some time looking at some photo books that i have in my room from Salgado, Natchaway and the Magnum Magnum book.....i am going to try my best to produce some good work.....I am super excited to be going back....

Cheers , Michael
 
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Hello everybody.......I am having an awesome time out here...I am in Shan State and shooting some of the local tribes.........I shot 14 rolls of film yesterday.....I can't believe it......I am so excited to see the results once I get back to Bangkok......

I saw a very beautiful girl from the Pa-O tribe at a local market, she was with some other members of her tribe......I saw her looking at me more than once (I was the only foreigner at the market) and I wanted soooo bad to photograph her.......once I got up the nerve to ask her, she was leaving the market and I followed her group towards their boat.....I asked her if I could take a photo of her but she declined.....it was ok though, I was already aware that the Pa-O don't like to be photographed....I think that's why it took me so long to build up the confidence to go ask her.......it's ok.....to be honest, I have been denied a lot the last two days, but it's ok......I understand.....I am in a pretty remote area and a lot of these tribes have their own beliefs.....I would never photograph someone without their consent, and I am a visitor/guest out here and I have to be as respectful as possible......and then on the other hand, people have stopped and asked me numerous times over the last couple of days to take their photograph.....anyways, I am going to another tribal market tomorrow and then catching a bus back to Yangon later in the evening....I will spend about 3 days photographing the streets of Yangon...........I am super excited because I'm pretty sure I got some really good images over the last couple of days......and I absolutely love photographing in Yangon......so I am looking forward to that as well......anyways, just wanted to say "hi" to everybody

I have really tested myself this trip in many ways, and so far, I am happy with what has happened.......cheers, michael
 
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