Bryan Lee
Expat Street Photographer
Its 420 AM and another day is well underway for me, No I'm not smoking anything but I wish I had a good Cuban Cigar as I wish every morning, that will wait till later. By the way you can get Cuban Cigars at most grocery stores around Bangkok if you ask, there are a few humidors in the larger hotels too.
The first order of business today is we've had a horrible murder here on one of the islands of a Israeli National. This happens all the time here but this is the first time in my memory that a Israeli was killed so it has drawn much focus for many reasons. Like I was saying, murder is a daily occurrence for me and has lost its shock value but there is a reason I bring this up. If you find yourself being ripped off for a small amount of money over a bar tab its best to not confront anyone about it. Do not ever confront Thais unless you know exactly what you're doing and what lines you can and cannot cross. If you ever feel yourself in danger from saying the wrong things or from being confronted please for gods sake remember these magic words, they may save your life. "Jai" which means Heart, and "yen" which means Cool. Immediately place your hands in a praying position together in front of your face, It is called a Wai here. This will also give you some protection, and begin saying "Jai Yen, Jai Yen," in a calm way as you try to bite your lip and slightly smile. This will buy you much forgiveness in any misunderstanding. Ive posted a link below but do not click onto it without thick skin, In Thailand life is cheep and death is mired entertainment.
As far as film, Color you can get anywhere, I would bring my own high quality black and white film. It is hotter than hell at the moment with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees. I suspect you'll find yourself out at night mostly so I recommend some 1600 speed film for hanging around noodle shops and other cool drink places after dark. 400 speed film is a given to have and if you do get out during the day 100 or even 25 speed film is great. Shooting around temples you might consider loading 400 and 25 or something slow too, this way you can dig into the shadows and shoot through doors into darker areas. You may want to consider a ultra cheep tripod purchased over here for a few temple shots, for that matter if you want to rent some large format cameras or even a Hassy for one or two days just send me a PM and I can arrange it for you.
The bottom line is you can get it all here including film but it is not for the faint of heart to track down anything in Thailand. Yesterday I was at our version of a Lowe's or Home Depot which is really quite large and modern offering around 50 or more styles of commodes at prices of up to 1,000 bucks but I had to talk all the way up to the manager to get a response when I asked for a thermometer. Then after 10 minutes of hand signaling, pointing, gibberish from me and them, involving a half dozen people into the momentary drama and going as far as pulling a light meter with a temp out of my pocket and displaying it, I received the final answer, "Mai Me, Don't have!" only to be directed towards the endless road of small shops that repeat the the same, Mai Me.
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=114175&st=0
The first order of business today is we've had a horrible murder here on one of the islands of a Israeli National. This happens all the time here but this is the first time in my memory that a Israeli was killed so it has drawn much focus for many reasons. Like I was saying, murder is a daily occurrence for me and has lost its shock value but there is a reason I bring this up. If you find yourself being ripped off for a small amount of money over a bar tab its best to not confront anyone about it. Do not ever confront Thais unless you know exactly what you're doing and what lines you can and cannot cross. If you ever feel yourself in danger from saying the wrong things or from being confronted please for gods sake remember these magic words, they may save your life. "Jai" which means Heart, and "yen" which means Cool. Immediately place your hands in a praying position together in front of your face, It is called a Wai here. This will also give you some protection, and begin saying "Jai Yen, Jai Yen," in a calm way as you try to bite your lip and slightly smile. This will buy you much forgiveness in any misunderstanding. Ive posted a link below but do not click onto it without thick skin, In Thailand life is cheep and death is mired entertainment.
As far as film, Color you can get anywhere, I would bring my own high quality black and white film. It is hotter than hell at the moment with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees. I suspect you'll find yourself out at night mostly so I recommend some 1600 speed film for hanging around noodle shops and other cool drink places after dark. 400 speed film is a given to have and if you do get out during the day 100 or even 25 speed film is great. Shooting around temples you might consider loading 400 and 25 or something slow too, this way you can dig into the shadows and shoot through doors into darker areas. You may want to consider a ultra cheep tripod purchased over here for a few temple shots, for that matter if you want to rent some large format cameras or even a Hassy for one or two days just send me a PM and I can arrange it for you.
The bottom line is you can get it all here including film but it is not for the faint of heart to track down anything in Thailand. Yesterday I was at our version of a Lowe's or Home Depot which is really quite large and modern offering around 50 or more styles of commodes at prices of up to 1,000 bucks but I had to talk all the way up to the manager to get a response when I asked for a thermometer. Then after 10 minutes of hand signaling, pointing, gibberish from me and them, involving a half dozen people into the momentary drama and going as far as pulling a light meter with a temp out of my pocket and displaying it, I received the final answer, "Mai Me, Don't have!" only to be directed towards the endless road of small shops that repeat the the same, Mai Me.
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=114175&st=0
Leica Geek
Well-known
Thanks for the news and the advice. I'll take it to heart.
I guess I should bring my own film and if I need more the journey will begin.
I guess I should bring my own film and if I need more the journey will begin.
Leica Geek
Well-known
I think I'll bring a limited amount of black and white film. I was thinking the color of Thailand is so different and interesting compared to LA. I shoot lots of black and white here in LA to make the pics more interesting. Thailand seems to have lots of color. I'm think of only taking fast black and white film with me and buy most of my color film there. Fuji 400h and Kodak 400 UC, maybe some slower film for landscape. Please let me know if there are any film sellers near Klong Toey.
Thanks.
Thanks.
jomyoot
Member
Where to find Professional Fuji Films in Thailand?
Where to find Professional Fuji Films in Thailand?
Anyone knows where to pick up professional Fuji Films here? Almost everyone has gone digital already. Most available shops only stock consumer lines.
Thanks!
Where to find Professional Fuji Films in Thailand?
Anyone knows where to pick up professional Fuji Films here? Almost everyone has gone digital already. Most available shops only stock consumer lines.
Thanks!
oscroft
Veteran
I spend quite a lot of time in Thailand every year (my wife is Thai and we have a home there) and I think the same every time I go - "I really should do some b&w stuff". But the place is just so colourful that I invariably end up with just a big bag of colour transparency film - and when I get the results, I never regret it
S
Simon Larbalestier
Guest
jomyoot said:
Camera Collection
Photo Hobby
Photo File
Should all stock the Fuji pro films addresses of all these are posted earlier in the thread.
I was at Photohobby earlier this week their fridge was full of Fuji pro films in colour and b/w 35mm and 120.
Leica Geek
Well-known
Thanks Simon. Just 7 more days and I'll be in Thailand. Can't wait to get out of LA for a while and shoot lots of pics.
Leica Geek
Well-known
I leave tomorrow for LAX to Thailand. It's going to be a long flight. I'm all ready to go and I decided to take my G2 this time. The Leicas are staying home this time. I don't have that much time and want to get the most out of the trip and needed a fast shooter. The G2 with the Zeiss glass is hard to beat.
Bryan Lee
Expat Street Photographer
Leica Geek said:
I'm sure you'll do great with the G2. While I'm A fan of the forum because it does place a emphasis on the camera, the camera is secondary to the subject in the end.
I will be at Ayutthaya this weekend, It is one of the most popular day tours out of Bangkok. If you have time on Saturday or Sunday and want to catch the train up which is a one hour ride I would be happy to pick you up and drive you around to some temples and historical sites. You could either spend one night at a guest house or hotel or just catch another train back to Bangkok on the same day. I have no idea what your schedule is and if you have no time thats cool.
I'm sending you a PM with my number so If you have any problems or questions while your in Thailand you can just call I will try and get it sorted for you if I can. One suggestion I have is to bring a old cell phone from home or buy a fifty dollar nokia here in Thailand and put a local Sim card in it. This could be invaluable for calling your friend who most likely speaks some Thai or me if you get lost or sidetracked in a place where nobody speaks English. You can just call somebody, tell them whats going on then hand the phone over to a Thai speaker for instant translation.
No matter what I hope you have great time over here, I for one will never forget my first arrival after many years of anticipation. I showed up with a backpack and a disposable camera, That will be five years ago in a few months and I have few if any regrets and no plans to return to the United States.
Leica Geek
Well-known
Great!
Thanks!
Thanks!