Child at play ~ Chiang Mai

Another shot I got from the PhotoWalk a few weeks ago in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is the same kid playing with a top seen on this portrait in the market.

It was too bad it rained for hours later so we couldn't get more shots. I felt a bit more comfortable taking street portraits when I was with the group, I am not very used to street photography and I feel a bit shy approaching people to take photos when I don't even speak their language.

I am improving day by day though as I am forcing myself to get out there and approach strangers. I might even have a project coming up soon so stay tuned!

Child in a market - Photo Walk 2010

Today 24th of July was held the 3rd annual "Worldwide Photo Walk", a social photography event created by Scott Kelby where photographers get together in town, walk, shoot, socialize and have fun.
Although some parts of the world the walk hasn't started yet, more than 33000 photographers, amateurs and pros are expected in 1111 walks around the world (cool number!).

I participated in the Photo Walk in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Unfortunately, heavy rain spoiled our gathering and the event was canceled an hour after we met. We did have the opportunity to visit a local market though before the sky poured on us. We got separated in two groups to prevent people from panicking..
I mean.. Imagine yourself sitting in a corner peeling onions when suddenly 40 people point a huge camera and start clicking while the multiple flashes turn you to dust... Horrible!

I saw this little kid playing in a corner with his little top. He was very shy! Every time I pointed my camera, he looked down and tried to focus on his toy. Cute.

Overall it was a fun but short time. I am not really used to taking photos of people in the streets but being in a group made me feel a bit less shy and I saw how some photographers approached the merchants to have their shot.
Hope everyone else in the world has more luck than we did!

The Lone Singer

One of my favorite bars in Chiang Mai, Thailand is "The Riva".

It's a Bar/Restaurant with different style live music every night. Usually it's packed with happy couples or groups of friends enjoying their drinks while the crazy bands play their tunes.

On a Wednesday night, I felt lonely in my hotel room and decided to go their to enjoy the music and socialize with some travelers. The band starts playing at 9pm, I arrived there at 8.45.. It was empty. I waited for the band, they came, they started playing.. the bar was still completely empty.. It was a funny feeling to be all alone in the whole bar, with a band playing just for you. I felt like a VIP! They played for an hour and I had the occasion to take a few portraits.

I hope you'll like it, as I am fairly a newbie in portrait shots.. I have to work on that hopefully soon :)

Cheers!